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Provision of a Redaction Solution for Modernisation of the Fitness to Practise Systems

NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 Aug 2026 at 15:08

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Planning

13 Mar 2026 at 15:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Nursing and Midwifery Council is procuring a redaction solution for its Modernisation of the Fitness to Practise Systems Programme. The requirement is to support efficient and accurate removal of sensitive information from documents used in regulatory casework and operational processes. The solution is software and related information-system capability, including automated or semi-automated redaction, batch processing, pattern detection and concept detection. It must work with the NMC’s existing technology environment, systems and processes, and support information-management activities associated with Fitness to Practise work. Delivery covers the United Kingdom. The procurement is classified principally as goods, with the awarded requirement also covering software development and document-management services. The NMC is the buying organisation and a central government public authority.

The procurement is complete and has reached the award stage. It used a direct award, justified by the absence of competition for technical reasons and the need to meet specific technical and interoperability requirements. The award was recorded on 14 August 2026. The awarded value is £350,000 excluding VAT, or £420,000 including VAT. The awarded contract period is 5 October 2026 to 4 October 2029. A signature milestone was scheduled for 1 October 2026. The contract allows additional purchases of solution add-ins and licences if operational requirements change. The single lot was marked complete and the opportunity was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Evaluation focused on functional capability, usability, technical architecture, compatibility and integration with the NMC’s existing systems.

This requirement is relevant to software suppliers providing document redaction, document management or information-governance solutions for regulated casework. A credible competitor would need proven automated or semi-automated redaction, including batch processing and accurate pattern or concept detection, alongside a usable workflow for sensitive documents. Technical interoperability is central: suppliers would need to demonstrate that their product can operate within an established technology environment and integrate with existing systems and processes without significant redesign. Evidence from trials, product demonstrations and representative test data would strengthen a supplier’s position. Capability in data security, privacy, hosting arrangements, localisation and ongoing product development is also important. The requirement is suitable for SMEs, including specialist software firms able to provide licensing and modular add-ins as demand develops.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of a Redaction Solution for Modernisation of the Fitness to Practise Systems

Notice Description

Provision of a redaction solution for the Modernisation of the Fitness to Practise Systems Programme to support the efficient and accurate redaction of sensitive information within documents used in regulatory casework and operational processes

Planning Information

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has undertaken pre-market engagement to understand the capabilities of products available in the market that could support automated or semi-automated document redaction. The requirement relates to a potential solution to support the redaction of sensitive information within documents used by the Fitness to Practise team. In September 2025, the NMC conducted initial market research and supplier engagement to identify potential solutions. This activity included: • Market research to identify candidate products capable of fast and efficient document redaction, particularly solutions capable of batch processing and automated pattern or concept detection; and • Introductory discussions and product demonstrations to understand product capabilities, usability, and potential approaches to integration. Through this process, the NMC reviewed a number of products, including their functional capability, technical architecture, usability, and alignment with the NMC's requirements. Between December 2025 and February 2026, the NMC undertook further engagement with suppliers whose solutions appeared capable of meeting the identified requirements. These activities were conducted remotely and online: • Introductory meetings to explain the NMC's requirements; • Product demonstrations and technical discussions; • Access to trial environments to enable assessment of functionality using representative data; and • Discussions relating to data security, privacy, hosting arrangements, and product development roadmaps. As part of this engagement, trial use of solutions was undertaken using test data, and feedback was provided to suppliers regarding localisation and detection functionality. The NMC is currently completing trial arrangements and reviewing licensing options with identified suppliers in order to inform its approach to any potential future procurement activity. Suppliers wishing to express an interest in this pre-market engagement, or to submit clarification questions, may do so using the contact details provided in this notice. Suppliers should note that, while the NMC welcomes information that may assist in developing its understanding of available solutions, the pre-market engagement exercise has now concluded.

Procurement Information

The NMC has undertaken pre-market engagement and market research to understand the capabilities of solutions capable of supporting automated or semi-automated document redaction and related information management functions. The solution must also be capable of integrating with and operating effectively within the NMC's existing technology environment, systems and processes. The NMC identified and assessed these potential solutions. This included consideration of multiple redaction solutions, including solutions offering automated redaction, batch processing, pattern and concept detection and related functionality. The NMC engaged with suppliers through introductory discussions and product demonstrations to assess functional capability, usability, technical architecture and potential integration approaches. This engagement identified potential solutions; however, the NMC's requirements extends beyond the availability of standard redaction functionality. The solution must satisfy the NMC's specific technical and integration requirements and operate effectively within its existing technology environment. The technical compatibility and integration requirements have therefore been a key consideration in determining a preferred solution The NMC is currently undertaking trials of identified solutions to validate its functional capability, technical compatibility and integration with the NMC's existing systems and processes. These trials will provide evidence as to whether the solution can meet the NMC's specific requirements in practice without requiring significant redesign or modification of the existing technology environment. Subject to successful completion of the trial and confirmation that the solution meets the NMC's requirements, the NMC intends to proceed with a direct award to the supplier under Schedule 5, paragraph 6 of PA23. The proposed direct award is based on an absence of competition for technical reasons, specifically the requirement for the solution to provide the necessary redaction functionality while also satisfying the NMC's technical and interoperability requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066a16
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077766-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72212300 - Document creation, drawing, imaging, scheduling and productivity software development services

72212311 - Document management software development services

72212312 - Electronic publishing software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Oct 2026 - 4 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NURSING AND MIDWIFERY 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
LONDON
Postcode
W1B 1PZ
Postcode Area
West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Marylebone
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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