Award

ACE - Provision of Financial Management System

THE ACADEMIES FOR CHARACTER AND EXCELLENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

29 Apr 2026 at 12:35

Tender

16 Feb 2026 at 16:52

Planning

19 Jan 2026 at 17:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Academies for Character and Excellence, a public authority operating under sub-central government, is seeking the provision of a Financial Management System to enhance the financial oversight of its multi-academy trust framework consisting of numerous schools. Located in Totnes, United Kingdom, this procurement process has reached the award stage, having commenced through a tender process with an open procedure. PHP Law LLP served as the procurement consultant, overseeing the engagement and tendering phases starting from early 2026. The awarded contract, valued at £250,000 excluding VAT, was given to IPLICIT LIMITED, a supplier based in Bournemouth. The contract term is set to commence on 12th May 2026, concluding in May 2030, with the potential for two further one-year extensions, subject to renewable options. This procurement falls under the industry category of software package and information systems, aligning with the legal requirements stipulated by the UKPGA 2023/54 Act.

This tender presents substantial business opportunities for those specialising in financial software solutions, particularly those with a robust track record in implementing scalable, cloud-hosted systems with multi-entity capabilities. It is ideally suited for SMEs that can provide integrated purchasing portals, thereby aiding schools in reducing administrative workloads through automation, enhanced reporting, and improved visibility of expenditure. Suppliers capable of delivering seamless integration with existing frameworks like IMP for budget planning shall find a competitive advantage. There is a clear focus on offering innovative solutions that streamline finance functions while ensuring compliance with ESFA and DfE requirements, creating significant growth potential for businesses that can address these needs efficiently.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

ACE - Provision of Financial Management System

Notice Description

This tender opportunity has been issued by Academies for Character and Excellence (the Trust) and Tenderers are invited to tender for the provision of Financial Management System. Full details of all contract requirements are given in this document Document 2. Specification of Requirement. The Trust comprises multiple academies operating under a unified governance structure and financial framework. To support effective financial oversight and ensure regulatory compliance, the Trust requires a fully integrated Finance System. The system must enable compliant financial management in accordance with the Academies Trust Handbook (ATH), all ESFA reporting obligations, and the Trust's Finance Policy.

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0000

Options: To enable further schools to be added to the contract as they join the Trust and to enable additional modules or services in relation to the software.

Renewal: 4 year term with the option of two further 1 year extensions (4+1+1)

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=101610&TID=100106844&B= This pre-market engagement exercise is intended to help shape the Trust’s detailed requirements, commercial approach, and implementation planning. Suppliers will be offered a 1-hour slot on the 4th or 5th of February for a brief meeting/demo focussed on specific areas of enquiry which will be provided in advance. If you wish to book in a slot, please message the request through the tendering portal EU Supply with your email address with your preferred date and time for the 4th or 5th February. Slots will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Once all slots are booked out we will have to respectfully decline any further requests. However all information from these meetings will be shared within the tender pack, where it has been deemed as not commercially sensitive.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06093e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039197-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48440000 - Financial analysis and accounting software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£250,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£250,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£250,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
13 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
27 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
11 May 2026 - 11 May 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
2032-01-05

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE ACADEMIES FOR CHARACTER AND EXCELLENCE
Additional Buyers

ACADEMIES FOR CHARACTER & EXCELLENCE

PHP LAW LLP

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TOTNES
Postcode
TQ9 5TZ
Post Town
Torquay
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
South Hams
Electoral Ward
Totnes
Westminster Constituency
South Devon

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IPLICIT

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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