D3 Tenders | Provision of Research Management System

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Provision of Research Management System

Notice Description

Following the publication of a Transparency Notice on 13 April 2026, University of Keele is publishing this Contract Award Notice to announce its intention, in accordance with its statutory obligations, to award a contract to Worktribe Ltd for the provision of a consolidated, end-to-end research management system. This direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. The services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's existing technical estate (including HR and Finance systems), workflows, and processes. Since first procuring Worktribe in 2022, the University has made a substantial investment in system integrations, customisations, and staff training. These are now embedded in the University's research support operations. Appointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in: 1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including data migration, new integrations, and staff retraining); and 2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of critical research support services, which would disrupt the University's research activities and prevent it from achieving its operational and financial objectives. The award of this contract to Worktribe Ltd represents the only viable route to secure the required goods and services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK universities, including the University of Birmingham, the University of Greenwich, and Nottingham Trent University. Disclaimer This Contract Award Notice is published by the University of Keele, a contracting authority, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 50 of the Procurement Act 2023 to notify its intention to award a contract. This notice does not itself constitute an offer, an award of contract, or give rise to any implied contract. The publication of this Contract Award Notice by University of Keele will initiate the mandatory 8 working day standstill period, as required by Section 51(1) of the Act. The University will not, and cannot lawfully, enter into a contract for the required goods and services until the 8-working-day standstill period has been successfully completed. Any contract award will be confirmed through the subsequent publication of a Contract Details Notice.

Procurement Information

University of Keele is publishing this transparency notice to announce its intention, in accordance with its statutory obligations, to award a contract directly to Worktribe Ltd for the provision of a consolidated, end-to-end research management system. This direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. The services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's existing technical estate (including HR and Finance systems), workflows, and processes. Since first procuring Worktribe in 2022, the University has made a substantial investment in system integrations, customisations, and staff training. These are now embedded in the University's research support operations. Appointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in: 1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including data migration, new integrations, and staff retraining); and 2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of critical research support services, which would disrupt the University's research activities and prevent it from achieving its operational and financial objectives. The award of this contract to Worktribe Ltd represents the only viable route to secure the required goods and services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK universities, including the University of Birmingham, the University of Greenwich, and Nottingham Trent University. This Transparency Notice is published by the University of Keele, a contracting authority, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 44 of the Procurement Act 2023 to notify its intention to award a contract directly. Disclaimer This notice does not itself constitute an offer, an award of contract, or give rise to any implied contract. The publication of the subsequent Contract Award Notice will initiate the mandatory 8-working-day standstill period, as required by Section 51(1) of the Act. The University will not, and cannot lawfully, enter into a contract for the required goods and services until the 8-working-day standstill period has been successfully completed. Any contract award will be confirmed through the subsequent publication of a Contract Details Notice.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06815b
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033957-2026
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: SME
Awardee Scale: SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions: 48 - Software package and information systems
CPV Codes: 48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: Not specified
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: £1,424,104 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 14 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: Not specified
Award Date: 7 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period: 26 Apr 2026 - 26 Apr 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF KEELE
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality: KEELE, STAFFORDSHIRE,
Postcode: ST5 5NB
Post Town: Stoke-on-Trent
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3): TLG24 Staffordshire CC
Delivery Location: Not specified
Local Authority: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Electoral Ward: Keele
Westminster Constituency: Newcastle-under-Lyme

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers: 1
Supplier Name: WORKTRIBE

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033957-2026
14th April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033452-2026
13th April 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

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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