Award

Finance system support, maintenance and hosting services

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Jan 2026 at 16:05

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Natural History Museum, a public authority under the central government, has completed the award stage of a procurement process aimed at securing finance system support, maintenance, and hosting services. The procurement, executed through a direct award to Access UK Ltd, involves services essential to the continuation of the museum’s existing finance system. This process meets specific conditions of the Procurement Act 2023, where the supplier holds exclusive rights precluding reasonable alternatives. The contract was confirmed on 6th January 2026, with a service period starting on 20th January 2026 and ending on 19th January 2029. The location for these services is London, with key activities summarised under industry codes like Software-related services, Software maintenance and repair services, and Provider services.

This tender presents business opportunities particularly beneficial for large firms capable of providing specialised software-related services, particularly where intellectual property rights and unique expertise are critical. Companies with a focus on technology support and hosting, particularly those that can adhere to the stringent intellectual property requirements, would be well-positioned to compete and grow by leveraging large-scale projects such as this. Additionally, the provision for additional licences, storage, or consultancy costs opens further avenues for business growth and potential partnerships over the contract duration.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Finance system support, maintenance and hosting services

Notice Description

Support, maintenance, hosting and data storage services for the contracting authority's existing finance system and associated modules. The services relate to a business critical system currently in operational use. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1004338804

Procurement Information

The conditions in Schedule 5, paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 are met. The supplier holds intellectual property and other exclusive rights in relation to the existing finance system, meaning only that supplier can provide the required support, maintenance and hosting services. There are no reasonable alternatives to these services without replacement of the existing system.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060056
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000791-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72260000 - Software-related services

72267000 - Software maintenance and repair services

72410000 - Provider services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
20 Jan 2026 - 19 Jan 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Contact Name
NHM Procurement
Contact Email
nhmprocurement@nhm.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW7 5BD
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI33 Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Kensington and Chelsea
Electoral Ward
Brompton & Hans Town
Westminster Constituency
Kensington and Bayswater

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ACCESS

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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