Planning

Value Added Software Reseller Framework

FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SERVICE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Apr 2026 at 14:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Financial Ombudsman Service Limited is in the planning phase of a procurement process for establishing a Value Added Software Reseller Framework. Located in London, this initiative targets the software package and information systems industry, aiming to simplify software sourcing and management. Interested suppliers are invited to participate by completing a qualitative questionnaire available through the eSourcing tool Jaggaer by 8th May 2026. Following this, bilateral discussions may be held via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 25th May 2026 to provide additional clarity. The procurement process, identified under the code ocds-h6vhtk-0686a0-035749-2026, operates under a public authority - sub-central government classification, with communication expected to continue on 22nd June 2026.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for organisations specialising in software asset management, optimisation, and related advisory services. The framework aims to aggregate software spend, reduce procurement redundancy, and enhance cost transparency, which can benefit businesses capable of delivering robust software asset management and support services. The project foresees a contract period starting from 2nd November 2026 until 1st November 2030, with potential extensions. The focus on creating a single supplier framework offers strategic leverage, especially for enterprises adept at managing vendor relationships and offering competitive pricing models. Businesses with expertise in cost-plus pricing and comprehensive value-added services in the software sector are well-suited to explore this market engagement opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Value Added Software Reseller Framework

Notice Description

Our objective is to establish a Value Added Reseller Framework that simplifies how we source and manage software, while improving outcomes across cost, risk, transparency and capability. At a high level, we are seeking to: * Aggregate software spend where appropriate to improve pricing and commercial leverage, ultimately creating savings in this area. * Reduce duplication and administrative burden associated with repeated procurements * Introduce greater cost transparency through open book and cost plus models * Access meaningful value added services such as Software Asset Management (SAM), optimisation and audit support * Enable more proactive planning, renewal management and vendor negotiation * Retain flexibility to buy outside the framework where this represents better value or lower risk Our emerging proposal is to put in place a single supplier value added reseller framework to act as a strategic aggregation and enablement layer between us and the wider software vendor market. Key features of the proposed model include: * Cost plus, pass through pricing for software licences * Pre agreed framework terms and conditions * Structured and transparent discount mechanisms * Support for both large strategic vendors (e.g. hyperscalers) and niche software providers * Non exclusive framework design The scope under consideration includes, but is not limited to: * Commercial off the shelf software licensing * Software maintenance and renewal management * Licence compliance and audit support * Software Asset Management (SAM) and optimisation * Pre and post sales technical and commercial advice * Price benchmarking and competitive price comparisons * Management of vendor relationships and deal registration * Asset recording and licence position reporting * Hardware and related services The appointed supplier would support the supply of software and associated value added activities as the sole supplier on a single supplier framework. The purpose of this engagement is to explore viable commissioning options and assess market interest in delivering key services. The insights gained will help the FOS shape any future procurement strategy. This is preliminary market engagement only, not a call for competition and not scored. FOS is seeking input from organisations with expertise in the software sector to understand market capability and procurement considerations. We are seeking insight and feedback from potential VAR providers on our initial approach, particularly around the delivery of a cost-plus passthrough model for software procurement and the range of value-added services that may accompany it. This activity is intended to explore market capability and gather insight only. It focuses on understanding the VAR market's ability to support our requirements and does not involve supplier selection, down-selection, or any form of bid evaluation.

Planning Information

Interested suppliers are invited to complete a qualitative questionnaire based on the prospectus by 8th May 2026. The questionaire and prospectus can be accessed via our eSourcing tool Jaggaer here: https://procurement.financial-ombudsman.org.uk. Registration is required on the portal in order to access the prospectus and questionaire. Where further clarification is helpful, the Authority may also hold bilateral discussions with some suppliers regarding their questionnaire responses. These bilateral sessions, if required, are expected to take place w/c 25th May 2026 via Microsoft Teams.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0686a0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035749-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Jun 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SERVICE LIMITED
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 9SR
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
Not specified
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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