Award

Ongoing use of Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning Solution including the support and maintenance of this existing ERP System, and migration to cloud-based platform

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

09 Jan 2026 at 09:51

Award

11 Dec 2025 at 15:29

AwardUpdate

11 Dec 2025 at 14:27

Award

11 Dec 2025 at 14:07

Summary of the contracting process

Queen's University Belfast has completed the award of a direct contract to UNIT4 Business Software Limited for the continuation and support of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System, including migration to a cloud-based platform. The procurement process, categorised under goods, involves extending the current on-premise solutions vital for financial management within the University. This five-year contract, running from 19 March 2026 to 18 March 2031, follows Northern Irish devolved regulations and was formally signed on 23 December 2025. The procurement method used was a direct award, justified under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 due to potential incompatibilities and technical challenges with a change of supplier.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for businesses specialising in ERP solutions, particularly those offering cloud migration services and ongoing support for complex financial systems. Companies with expertise in enhancing operational efficiency through software upgrades and introducing new modules would find this contract beneficial. The awarded contract to UNIT4 Business Software Limited underscores the importance of continuity and technical compatibility, favouring existing solution providers with proven capabilities in maintaining and developing bespoke university financial systems.

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Notice Title

Ongoing use of Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning Solution including the support and maintenance of this existing ERP System, and migration to cloud-based platform

Notice Description

Ongoing utilisation of the Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning Solution, migrating to cloud-based platform providing functionality for budget management, expenses, purchase to pay, sales to cash, inventory management, general ledger reporting and commitment accounting including the support and maintenance of this existing ERP System.

Procurement Information

The current on premise Unit4 solution is a business-critical application used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of finances. It enables budget management, expenses, purchase to pay, sales to cash, inventory management, general ledger reporting and commitment accounting. Unit4 Business Software Limited is the current ERP supplier and this contract will facilitate the continued use of Unit4 ERP solution including support and maintenance, as well as supporting migration of the system to cloud. A change in supplier would result in incompatibilities and disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. The University considers that the award of this contract is justified under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 using para. 7 'Additional or repeat goods, services or works' as set out below and in force on 11 December 2025. Additional or Repeat Goods/Services The public contract concerns the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods, services or works in circumstances where - (a) a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f3f4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001697-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
19 Mar 2026 - 18 Mar 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@qub.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 1NN
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

UNIT4 BUSINESS SOFTWARE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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