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Provision of Licencing, Maintenance and Support for the SUN Accounting software package and INFOR Query & Analysis software to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (2026-2028)

Northern Ireland Assembly

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

21 Apr 2026 at 10:33

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

20 Apr 2026 at 15:02

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Northern Ireland Assembly has completed the procurement process for the provision of licensing, maintenance, and support for their SUN Accounting software package and INFOR Query & Analysis software, covering the period from May 2026 to March 2028. The procurement, under a direct award method due to supplier exclusivity and technical rights, involves CORE Financial Systems Limited, based in Dublin, Ireland. This contract is situated within the financial analysis and accounting software sector and is classified as a service procurement. The supplier has been identified as the exclusive geographic reseller, ensuring continuity and specialised support for the Assembly's software systems in Belfast.

This direct award presents business growth opportunities for entities familiar with financial software packages, particularly those with capabilities in software support services. Businesses specialising in financial systems, accounting technology, and software maintenance could benefit by leveraging similar direct award criteria in future contracts, especially those involving exclusive technical rights or intellectual property. Companies that have established reseller agreements or those operating as SMEs in software development are well-positioned to explore similar opportunities in collaborating with public authorities like the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Licencing, Maintenance and Support for the SUN Accounting software package and INFOR Query & Analysis software to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (2026-2028)

Notice Description

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (the Assembly) requires the continued provision of licencing, maintenance and support for the SUN Accounting software package and INFOR Query & Analysis software over a two year period to accommodate replacement systems. These two linked software packages require a support and maintenance service with a helpdesk facility during office hours to provide advice and assistance for all queries relating to the operation of the SUN accounting software and INFOR Query and Analysis reporting tool.

Procurement Information

Section 41(6) of the Procurement Act 2023, which permits direct award where a "direct award justification" applies--specifically where only a particular supplier can provide the required goods due to technical or exclusive rights, and no reasonable alternatives exist (Schedule 5 para 6 (a) and (b)). This justification applies because INFOR (the owner of the software) only permits one reseller per geographic region. The current geographic reseller for the licensing and support over the next 2 years is CORE. Resellers make their money from the implementation of such systems. Reselling licences and support services has little value to the reseller organisation. Further, to have a reseller familiarise themselves with the Assembly Commission's system configurations would incur additional monies. This can be expensive, time consuming and would not deliver value for money for the NI Assembly Commission.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06868c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035942-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48440000 - Financial analysis and accounting software package

48442000 - Financial systems software package

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£86,628 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Apr 20264 months ago
Contract Period
1 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 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
Northern Ireland Assembly
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT4 3XX
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Stormont
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CORE Financial Systems Limited

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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