Award

ICR Support and Maintenance STA

NHS BUSINESS SERVICES AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

31 Mar 2026 at 12:09

Award

02 Mar 2026 at 15:41

Award

02 Mar 2026 at 07:53

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Business Services Authority has entered into a direct contract for the support and maintenance of the Tungsten ICR Solution software, previously known as Kofax. This contract, valued at £341,164.90 gross, is for the specialised software support services within the public authority central government industry sector and is valid for a period of five years, commencing from 1 March 2026 and concluding on 28 February 2031. Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, the NHSBSA is leveraging its perpetual license on this bespoke system to ensure continuity of service. The procurement was completed using direct award, as permitted by Section 41 and Schedule 5.6 of the Procurement Act 23, due to a lack of competition for technical reasons.

This procurement presents opportunities for businesses that specialise in software support, particularly those with a focus on perpetually licensed systems. As the support is inherently technical and specific to the software suite in use, large-scale suppliers like Tungsten Automation UK Limited, based in London, are well-suited to such contracts. This procurement method benefits businesses with existing relationships with similar proprietary systems and underscores the importance of technical specialisation in competing for contracts in central governmental software support services.

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Notice Title

ICR Support and Maintenance STA

Notice Description

The NHSBSA has previously purchased a perpetual license for the Tungsten (formerly known as Kofax) ICR Solution made up of a product suite including KTT. This contract is for the support and maintenance of the Kofax ICR Solution previously procured by the NHSBSA. This contract will be for 5 years, covering support of the product until it is end of life. The contract will commence on 1 March 2026 and run until the 28 February 2031. The contract was signed on the 17 March 2026 following completion of the standstill period.

Procurement Information

Section 41 and Schedule 5.6 of the Procurement Act 23 allows a direct award on the basis that competition is absent for technical reasons. NHSBSA holds a perpetual license and the supplier is the only provider that can provide support for the legacy bespoke system. Supplier has confirmed its resellers can not provide the services.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065ef0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029630-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£284,304 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£284,304 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Feb 20262 months ago
Contract Period
17 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BUSINESS SERVICES AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE15 8NY
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Lemington
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TUNGSTEN AUTOMATION

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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