Award

Online Learning Platform 26-29

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

13 Mar 2026 at 15:37

Award

25 Feb 2026 at 17:28

Summary of the contracting process

De Montfort University has successfully completed a direct award procurement process for the "Online Learning Platform 26-29" contract with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company. The online learning service, primarily covering e-learning resources, falls under the industry category of services and is based in Leicester, United Kingdom. This procurement contract runs from 23 March 2026 to 22 March 2029, with the original award date on 6 March 2026. This contract, valued at approximately £294,912, was secured due to LinkedIn's exclusive intellectual property rights, and strategic fit for De Montfort University's varied learning needs across multiple faculties.

The procurement method utilised was a direct award, justified under existing legal provisions due to the exclusive nature of LinkedIn's offerings, which cater to the specific requirements of the university. This presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses in the educational technology sector that cater to specialised, high-demand skill training. Large-scale suppliers, particularly those involved in e-learning and digital educational content, will find such opportunities appealing. Such businesses can exploit the symbiotic integration and scalability offered by platforms like LinkedIn Learning, ideally supporting institutions like De Montfort University in furthering educational advancement and workforce skill enhancement.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Online Learning Platform 26-29

Notice Description

LinkedIn learning is a service subscribed to for our students, containing video training resources and exercises, from LinkedIn and wider contributors, covering a wide variety of materials.

Procurement Information

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5 - Direct Award Justifications part 5, The following conditions are met: due to a particular supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Within the case of LinkedIn Learning, the usage of this service is deeply embedded within the operations of multiple faculties and organisational objectives, providing access to on demand, specialised requirements spanning a vast array of disciplines. People Services (Org Development) leverage LinkedIn learning for development and up-skilling opportunities. Our SharePoint (Viva Engage) directs people to specific LinkedIn Learning courses. Partners have received access to LinkedIn Learning to complement their own objectives. It offers a proprietary global catalogue of professional and technical courses that can be tailored to suit the users' evolving needs. Given the specific needs of DMU and the embedded nature of LinkedIn Learning, the market does not offer a readily interchangeable alternative, without extensive switching demands (resource and financial), operational disruptions and a loss of the embedded nature. We do not possess the resource to create bespoke learning to match the offering via LinkedIn. It is unfeasible to source an equivalent product within the market due to extensive proprietary protections and large operation costs of adjustment or development of an internal capability.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065c9d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023139-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80420000 - E-learning services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£294,912 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£294,912 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
23 Mar 2026 - 22 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 9BH
Post Town
Leicester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LINKEDIN IRELAND

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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