IBM Enterprise Licensing Agreement - Home Office Biometrics

HOME OFFICE

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

10 Jun 2026 at 08:45

AwardUpdate

10 Jun 2026 at 08:42

Award

28 May 2026 at 13:58

AwardUpdate

27 Apr 2026 at 13:50

AwardUpdate

24 Apr 2026 at 11:51

Award

24 Apr 2026 at 09:57

Summary of the contracting process

The contract titled "IBM Enterprise Licensing Agreement - Home Office Biometrics" was awarded by the Home Office, a central government public authority in the United Kingdom, located at 2 Marsham Street, London. The procurement process was completed with a direct award to IBM United Kingdom Limited due to the proprietary nature of the required software and support services, as detailed under the Procurement Act 2023. The agreement, concerning software licences and support services for maintaining existing biometric systems, spans from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2028. The total contract value is approximately £4.87 million excluding VAT and was signed on 30th April 2026. This arrangement is part of a strategy referenced under Section 41(1) which permits direct awards where technical difficulties preclude alternative suppliers.

This procurement represents significant business opportunities within the tech industry, particularly for large-scale enterprises like IBM that specialise in proprietary software solutions for complex systems such as biometrics. Companies with capabilities in license management and software development can explore similar opportunities by offering unique, technically indispensable solutions to public sector bodies. Collaborations and subcontracting to support these projects can provide routes for smaller technology firms to partner with larger incumbents, thereby enhancing their growth and market presence within the specialised domain of government technology services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

IBM Enterprise Licensing Agreement - Home Office Biometrics

Notice Description

Software licences and support services required to operate and maintain existing Home Office biometric systems.

Procurement Information

A direct award is proposed under Section 41(1) and Schedule 5, Paragraph 7 of the Procurement Act 2023, as the required software and support services are proprietary to IBM and embedded within existing live systems, with no reasonable alternative supplier without disproportionate technical difficulties.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068a7a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054554-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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

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


CPV Codes

72212218 - License management software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£4,900,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£4,869,972 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Apr 20262 months ago
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HOME 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
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IBM UNITED KINGDOM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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