Award

002898 - The Key Governance

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

02 Mar 2026 at 16:16

Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council, a sub-central government public authority based in Durham, United Kingdom, has completed the procurement process for the project titled "002898 - The Key Governance." This tender falls under the goods category, specifically industry-specific software packages for schools. The award was made through a direct procurement method, leveraging a "below threshold - without competition" approach due to the unique service characteristics and absence of market competition. The procurement stage currently is the Award, with the contract having been signed on 22 August 2025 and covering the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2028. The project aims to provide access to The Key Governance services to schools enrolled in the council's clerking SLA.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in educational support services and software solutions. The direct award indicates a potential demand for niche services and bespoke solutions, which could be capitalised upon by companies capable of providing unique offerings. Businesses that can innovate or expand upon existing educational governance services may find growth opportunities, especially if they can differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape. While The Key Support Services Limited has been awarded this contract, similar businesses with large-scale operations could look for future tendering opportunities in educational software and service provision.

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Notice Title

002898 - The Key Governance

Notice Description

Provide access to The Key Governance for schools who buy into our clerking SLA. This project has been procured as a Direct Award due to an absence of competition in the market for this requirement and the unique characteristics of the services provided to meet this requirement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066013
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018619-2026
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

48100000 - Industry specific software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£135,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Aug 20256 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Post Town
Durham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE KEY SUPPORT SERVICES

Further Information

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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