Planning

Timetabling and Scheduling System

BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Jan 2026 at 12:39

Summary of the contracting process

Bournemouth University is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a comprehensive Timetabling and Scheduling System designed to enhance the student experience and streamline operations. The university, located in Poole, UK, is conducting preliminary market engagement (PME) to gather insights from potential suppliers and prepare for the eventual tender. Interested suppliers are invited to participate in virtual meetings scheduled for March 2026, with further details available upon registration. The deadline for submitting interest in this early engagement phase is 11 February 2026. The project, under the industry category of software package and information systems, is set to begin its contract period on 1 August 2028.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in development and implementation of educational software and scheduling systems, particularly those geared towards higher education institutions. Firms offering innovative, scalable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions with robust integration capabilities would be well-suited to compete. The process is aimed at exploring supplier capabilities and innovations that can meet Bournemouth University's specific needs, including data management, accessibility, and seamless integration with existing systems. Participation in the PME offers a chance for suppliers to showcase their strengths ahead of an expected open tender process later in the year.

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Notice Title

Timetabling and Scheduling System

Notice Description

Bournemouth University ("BU" or the "University") requires the services of a supplier for supply and implementation of a comprehensive Timetabling and Scheduling Solution, which is innovative, scalable, and user-friendly. The new system should cater to the unique requirements of higher education institutions, ensuring compliance with relevant SaaS data security and accessibility regulations. The key objectives of the solution are to: * Prioritise the enhancement of student experience and wellbeing. * Improve data management and reporting. * Ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption. * Extend access to devolved users for specified tasks. * Offer robust integration with existing systems using modern integration mechanisms such as secure, standards-based APIs. * Achieve condensed timetables to attract students who commute or work around their studies. * Accommodate teaching staff with part-time hours and other approved restrictions. The new solution should not only meet all current functional needs but also provide the flexibility to rapidly adapt to future changes in BU's curriculum and delivery approach.

Planning Information

The purpose of this PME is to gather industry expertise and feedback that will inform the development of our final project and procurement requirements. Objectives: • Gain a better understanding of suppliers' capabilities, experiences, and innovations. • Identify potential challenges and solutions relevant to the upcoming procurement project. • Inform suppliers about the project's scope, objectives, and key requirements. BU are intending on holding virtual meetings / demonstration sessions with shortlisted suppliers via Microsoft Teams in March 2026. If you wish to be considered for a virtual meeting / demonstration session with BU’s project team, please contact procurement@bournemouth.ac.uk to register your interest with the subject heading “IT/OS/531 – Timetabling System”. Once suppliers have expressed their interest we will provide further information on the requirements with a Questionnaire for completion. BU will then shortlist suppliers for the virtual meetings / demonstration sessions based on the answers provided in the Questionnaires. Please note that while we aim to engage with a broad range of suppliers, it may not be possible to invite all interested parties to a meeting. Participation in this exercise is voluntary, and there is no obligation for BU to meet with every supplier who expresses an interest and submits a completed Questionnaire. This PME is not a request for quotation. BU’s current intention is to conduct an openly advertised tender process at a later stage. There is no obligation for suppliers to respond to this PME. Supplier responses (or lack thereof) to this exercise will not be used to determine which suppliers will be carried forward to tender process or in any subsequent evaluation of supplier proposals.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060b01
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005265-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48190000 - Educational software package

48330000 - Scheduling and productivity software package

48332000 - Scheduling software package

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20265 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2028 - 31 Jul 2031 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Olly Sanders
Contact Email
procurement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Contact Phone
01202961623

Buyer Location

Locality
POOLE
Postcode
BH12 5BB
Post Town
Bournemouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Delivery Location
TLK24 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Local Authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Electoral Ward
Talbot & Branksome Woods
Westminster Constituency
Bournemouth West

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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