Award

Academic Integrity Tool/DA/PRO/2026

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Apr 2026 at 16:15

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

02 Apr 2026 at 16:01

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Open University, a public authority within sub-central government, is undertaking a procurement process with the intent of renewing licenses for the Turnitin academic integrity tool. This procurement falls under the goods category for compliance software and is aimed at maintaining integrated academic systems. Located in Milton Keynes, the University has opted for a direct award procurement method due to the unique technical and exclusive rights held by Turnitin LLC. The procurement stage is in the award phase, with a contract period from 2 May 2026 to 1 May 2029. Key dates include a standstill period ending on 15 April 2026, and the projected contract signature scheduled for 1 May 2026. The total contract value is indicated as £539,162.16 gross.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in educational software tools, particularly those with capabilities in compliance and information systems. While the current procurement is restricted to Turnitin LLC due to technical reasons, there is potential for growth as the Open University plans to reassess the market in the future. This reassessment may open future competitive opportunities for software providers capable of delivering comparable academic integrity solutions. The contract ensures continuity of service, allowing surrounding businesses to plan for prospective engagements as the University evaluates further procurement options.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Academic Integrity Tool/DA/PRO/2026

Notice Description

Renewal of licenses for the embedded academic integrity tool, Turnitin.

Procurement Information

Licenses to the Turnitin product are only available from Turnitin LLC. The Turnitin plagiarism software is heavily embedded in the Open University's modules and processes. The intention is to re-assess the market for this requirement. This direct award ensures continuity of service with the existing provider and provides sufficient time for market research, a potential tender process, and the time it would take to transition to a new provider subject to the potential competitive process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067c57
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031147-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48170000 - Compliance software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£449,301 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Apr 20262 days ago
Contract Period
1 May 2026 - 1 May 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
THE OPEN 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
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TURNITIN

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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