Planning

Data Service Delivery Partner

HEALTH RESEARCH AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Feb 2026 at 15:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Health Research Authority, based in London, United Kingdom, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Data Service Delivery Partner," categorised under data services. This initiative is part of their strategic Research Systems transformation programme, aiming to establish robust data practice foundations. The market engagement period is scheduled from 24th February 2026 to 10th March 2026, where interested parties can participate by requesting a Request For Information (RFI) pack. Prospective suppliers can engage with this process to inform the Authority's understanding of market capability. The planned contract period for this service commences on 1st July 2026, with a potential extension until 1st January 2029, highlighting significant business opportunities within the data services industry.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in data services to grow by collaborating with a central government public authority. The Authority seeks expertise to manage and develop the strategic overview of their Data Service project, making it suitable for companies with a strong background in data-related activities and strategic programme management. With a project value grossing GBP 3,600,000, this procurement exercise aims to align HRA's needs with industry capabilities while considering best value for money. Businesses that can demonstrate their ability to provide data solutions and contribute resources effectively via a Statement of Work process will find this opportunity appealing, providing a pathway to enhance their portfolio through government partnerships.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Data Service Delivery Partner

Notice Description

The Authority is seeking a Data Delivery Partner to set up good data practice foundations in HRA and to progress data-related activities in relation to our ongoing strategic Research Systems transformation programme. The Data Service project is not a transformation programme in itself; we are looking to use supplier expertise to set up the service with the intention of the service eventually moving into a business-as-usual state managed in-house by the HRA. We currently envisage the engagement of a Delivery Partner who will develop and manage the strategic overview of the Data Service, and provide resources as appropriate to deliver objectives via a Statement of Work process. This market engagement exercise is intended to achieve the follow aims: 1) Inform and align the HRA's requirements with industry capability and processes for procurement of the required solution. 2) Provide evidence that there are solutions available that meet the HRA's needs, to enable procurement activity to proceed. 3) Develop a procurement strategy that will deliver best value for money.

Planning Information

We intend the Market Engagement period to open on 24th February 2026 and will run to 10th March 2026. The engagement will take the form of a Request For Information pack containing our high-level requirements, background information to the HRA and the Data Service Requirement, and a series of questions we are putting to the market, to inform our understanding of market capability and our requirements. Please contact commercial@hra.nhs.uk to request the issue of the RFI to your organisation. We have allowed a period for clarifications to the HRA in relation to the RFI, and responses will be anonymised and issued to all participating suppliers, for transparency. Any details provided in response to this RFI will be used for information purposes only and will not be used to determine the potential Suppliers who will be invited to bid, should the Authority proceed to tender. The results and analysis of this RFI shall not constitute any form of pre-qualification exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065869
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015350-2026
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

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

CPV Codes

72300000 - Data services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 1 Jan 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HEALTH RESEARCH AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Laura Heal
Contact Email
commercial@hra.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JQ
Post Town
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

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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