Planning

Digital Delivery Partner Consultancy

HOUSING OMBUDSMAN SERVICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

13 Mar 2026 at 16:02

Planning

13 Mar 2026 at 15:48

Summary of the contracting process

The Housing Ombudsman Service, a central government authority, is conducting preliminary market engagement related to the Digital Delivery Partner Consultancy project. This initiative is currently in the planning stage and aims to establish an integrated digital solution that enhances customer interaction and supports strategic expansion into the Private Rented Sector. The engagement includes several virtual activities, such as a market webinar on 23rd March 2026, followed by a clarification period ending on 31st March 2026, with responses published between 1st and 3rd April 2026. Prospective participants must express interest via email by 20th March 2026. The procurement method involves the Crown Commercial Service Digital Outcomes & Specialists framework under Lot 1 Digital Outcomes, focusing on software programming, research and consultancy services across various UK regions. The contract's estimated gross value is £150,000, with a start date of 29th May 2026 and possible renewal extending until 28th May 2027.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in digital consultancy, software development, and strategic digital tools implementation. Particularly suited for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the requirement emphasises innovative solutions to optimise existing systems with potential AI and automation applications. Companies experienced in developing discovery, design, delivery, and transition phases for digital projects could leverage this engagement to align with the Housing Ombudsman Service's strategic goals, including enhanced service and quicker realisation of 'quick wins'. The project promises growth through contributions to both foundational digital infrastructure improvements and service expansion, offering measurable organisational benefits and resource savings through process optimisation.

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Notice Title

Digital Delivery Partner Consultancy

Notice Description

The Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) intends to conduct preliminary market engagement to inform a forthcoming further competition under Crown Commercial Service Digital Outcomes & Specialists 7 (RM1043.9), Lot 1 (Digital Outcomes). The engagement will help refine the outcomes, delivery approach, commercial model, and procurement timetable for an outcome-based digital delivery requirement. The Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) is considering options to recommission its patchwork of customer-facing software, introducing an integrated customer 'front door' that better supports existing and future strategic priorities, including the possibility of a major expansion of its service to the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The project directly supports the following strategic aims listed in the 26/27 business case and 2030 corporate strategy. * Provide an excellent, person-centred service * Drive positive local complaint handling cultures * Support better services through our insights, data and intelligence * Organisation Design: Systems (Strategic Enabler) To help define the requirements and understand the potential of a new suite of digital tools, HOS requires the support of a Digital Delivery Partner who can facilitate and complement our in-house knowledge and expertise. Indicative requirement (high-level outcomes) The deliverables have been split into two work packages, which are closely aligned with project stages: Discover, Design, Delivery & Transition. A. Discovery & Design (including quick wins) B. Delivery & Transition These work packages will be procured separately and sequentially so that the specification and requirements of any new system(s) delivered under Work Package B benefit from the findings of Discovery & Design. This Preliminary Market Engagement is specifically for Work Package A. To ensure momentum, positive engagement and early benefit realisation, Work Package A includes a requirement for the identification and delivery of 'quick wins'. These are likely to be delivered through existing system optimisation and the potential use of AI and automation, rather than through the wholesale replacement of existing digital infrastructure. Work Package A: Discovery & Design This work package covers the activities and artefacts required to fully understand the opportunities, risks, costs and benefits associated with a range of options for recommissioning HOS' customer-facing digital infrastructure. This is the first work package to be procured, and on delivery, HOS will be able to define its integrated customer 'front door' requirements in a way that supports a new Target Operating Model, aligns with key strategic plans, and delivers measurable benefits to the organisation. Work Package A will also provide funding for quick wins identified by the digital delivery partner and validated by the services impacted. These will be enhancements to existing systems that provide rapid returns on investment (Resource Savings) and/or measurable improvements to current ways of working (Greater Productivity; Improved User Experience; Improved Conversion Rate) and will be subject to further funding approval. Work Package A: Summary Table of Deliverables Reference Description of Deliverable A1 Validation and enhancement of Work Package B outcomes A2 Approved Scope of Works A3 Risk and Opportunity assessment A4 Benefits Profiles - baselines, measures and targets A5 Work Package B delivery resource requirements A6 Quick Wins and System Optimisations A7 Options appraisal, costs and recommendation for Work Package B

Planning Information

The Authority proposes the following engagement activities: • Market engagement webinar: (23rd March 2026, 11am, virtual) • Clarification period: (24th March - 31st March 2026, 5pm, electronic) • Clarification responses published: (1st - 3rd April, 2026 electronic) If you would like to attend the Market engagement webinar, please confirm your interest via email by Friday 20th March, 2026 including the name, role, and email address of the attendee(s) from your organisation to: ddp-procurement@housing-ombudsman.org.uk A meeting invite will then be sent confirming your place at the webinar. Participation in this session is voluntary and will not form part of any formal evaluation process. Attendance will not provide any advantage in any subsequent procurement. All clarifications and expressions of interest must be submitted to the same email address above for the requirement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066a3c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023167-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 May 2026 - 28 Nov 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HOUSING OMBUDSMAN SERVICE
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
E14 4PU
Post Town
East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

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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