Award

MASS HPSS Software Support 2026

MET OFFICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

21 Apr 2026 at 14:11

Summary of the contracting process

The Met Office, a central government public authority, has engaged in a direct award procurement process to acquire software support for its MASS HPSS from IBM Limited. This contract, titled "MASS HPSS Software Support 2026," falls under the services category and is set to cover the period from 1st July to 30th September 2026. The procurement rationale is rooted in IBM's proprietary rights concerning the HPSS software, which necessitated direct engagement with them. The procurement was logically awarded without other competition due to these exclusive rights. The award is currently pending with a final signature date anticipated on 1st May 2026. Located in Exeter, the Met Office's procurement of services is classified under repair and maintenance with a gross value of £298,583.46.

The issuance of this contract offers significant business growth prospects predominantly for firms within the software support services, especially those with skillsets in proprietary systems. However, given the exclusive intellectual property rights IBM holds over the HPSS software, opportunities within this specific contract are tailored to businesses directly related to IBM's offerings. This contract primarily benefits IBM, but it reflects the demand and creates potential downstream opportunities for supporting services around proprietary system maintenance. Such tenders can offer a competitive edge to organisations capable of navigating or collaborating within proprietary software domains.

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Notice Title

MASS HPSS Software Support 2026

Notice Description

Provision of software support from IBM from 1st July - 30th September 2026.

Procurement Information

IBM HPSS software which sits on top of Met Office MASS is proprietary to IBM so no other supplier is in a position to provide support.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06879e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036195-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£248,819 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Apr 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Apr 20263 days ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MET OFFICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX1 3PB
Post Town
Exeter
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Pinhoe
Westminster Constituency
Exmouth and Exeter East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IBM

Further Information

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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