Award

Kindred Project - Digital Product Agency

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

29 Jan 2026 at 15:57

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

28 Jan 2026 at 14:21

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process initiated by the University of Exeter for the "Kindred Project - Digital Product Agency" has reached the award stage. The contracting authority, University of Exeter, located in Exeter, UK, requires support in the design, building, and hosting of various digital elements for the Kindred project. The project falls under the services industry category, particularly focusing on custom software development. The contract, valued at £258,600 (gross value £310,320), will span from 10 February 2026 to 31 August 2026. The procurement method was a direct award to Rare Days, a supplier based in Vancouver, Canada, identified as uniquely capable of fulfilling the project's specialised requirements. Relevant project milestones indicate a future signature date of 10 February 2026, with an end date for the standstill period on 9 February 2026.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for firms specialising in custom software development services, particularly those proficient in crafting user-friendly, scalable digital products. SMEs with expertise in AI integration and strategic content development are well-suited to deliver on such projects, potentially offering significant technological advancements and strategic design capabilities. The direct award process underscored the necessity of a unique skill set, emphasising the demand for businesses that blend technical knowledge with the capacity to swiftly and effectively deliver against tight timelines to optimise public funding usage.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Kindred Project - Digital Product Agency

Notice Description

Support in designing, building and hosting the following elements of the Kindred project, ensuring that they are accessible, intuitive and scalable to the carers during this pilot phase of the project: * A content delivery platform with snackable, evidence-based resources focussed on neuropsychiatric symptoms * A brief psychosocial intervention group coaching programme * A moderated peer-support community

Procurement Information

Following a review of the relevant market, Rare Days was identified as the only supplier capable of meeting all defined programme requirements. The scope necessitates a combination of bespoke platform development; strategic content and community platform expertise; senior level design and engineering delivery; and advanced AI integration capability. No alternative supplier was identified that could deliver this combination to the required standard and pace within the funder defined timelines without incurring material additional cost, delay or delivery risk. Appointing Rare Days provides continuity of technical knowledge, design decisions and strategic direction from application through to delivery. This avoids duplication of discovery activity, re onboarding and rework, thereby supporting value for money within the available funding. Maintaining continuity also reduces delivery risk and enables accelerated progress against key milestones, ensuring efficient use of public funds and timely achievement of programme objectives.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061104
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008170-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72230000 - Custom software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£258,600 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
10 Feb 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 6-12 months
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
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@exeter.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX4 4QJ
Post Town
Exeter
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Duryard and St James
Westminster Constituency
Exeter

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RARE DAYS

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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