Award

Digital Life Story Platform

STOCKTON ON TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

29 Jan 2026 at 12:55

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Stockton on Tees Borough Council has recently completed a procurement process for a 'Digital Life Story Platform', focusing on the sector of software packages and information systems. This contract, initiated as a direct award without competition, was awarded to Virtual Memory Box Limited, a regional provider of secure digital platforms. The procurement falls under the category of goods and was executed under the legal basis UKPGA 2023/54. The contract commenced on 1 January 2026, with an end date set for 31 December 2028, and holds a value of £28,800 (excluding VAT). It is pivotal for the enhancement of life story work, a statutory requirement for children in care, across the North East of England.

This procurement presents a tailored opportunity for businesses involved in digital services, particularly those focusing on children's welfare and identity formation. Firms with expertise in software development, particularly those offering secure and interactive platforms, could see considerable growth by targeting similar contracts in the public sector. Companies that have established relationships with regional educational or care institutions may find themselves well-positioned to offer complementary or ancillary services alongside the main digital platform, potentially capitalising on growing regional adoption trends.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Digital Life Story Platform

Notice Description

The Virtual Memory Box life story platform is a secure co-produced digital platform designed to enhance life story work for children and young people in our care. This is a fully interactive system that empowers children to curate their own memories. Life story work is a statutory requirement and a critical component in supporting identity formation and emotional well-being for children in care. Traditional approaches to life story work include a physical memory box which is vulnerable to loss or damage, particularly when children experience changes in their home or care arrangements. Childrens services alongside representatives from digital services team, ICT and procurement, completed an initial scoping exercise to explore the different platforms available. Three initial platforms were identified and approached for demonstrations. Only two providers responded and Virtual Memory Box was the best option due to the ease and security of the system but also because the platform is already used regionally by other Local Authorities and is being rolled out across Regional Adoption Agencies.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0611fd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008025-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
£28,800 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
STOCKTON ON TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
corporateprocurement@stockton.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
STOCKTON ON TEES
Postcode
TS17 6BJ
Post Town
Cleveland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC31 Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Stockton-on-Tees
Electoral Ward
Mandale & Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VIRTUAL MEMORY BOX

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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