Award

IBM Enterprise Licensing Agreement - Home Office Biometrics

HOME OFFICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

24 Apr 2026 at 11:51

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

24 Apr 2026 at 09:57

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by the Home Office involves a direct award of an IBM Enterprise Licensing Agreement concerning biometrics. This contract, under the industry's services category, specifically pertains to license management software development services required to operate and maintain existing biometric systems. Located in London, the contract's procurement stages are complete, with significant dates set from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2028 for the contract period. Given the proprietary nature of IBM software and support services, the direct award was deemed necessary under the rationale provided by the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender holds key opportunities for businesses specialising in software licensing and support services, particularly those integrated within biometric systems. Large-scale entities, like IBM, that offer proprietary solutions will find this procurement method favourable, as it circumvents the need for competitive tendering due to technical specificity and embedded systems. This contract presents substantial growth prospects for those capable of delivering highly specialised, proprietary software solutions within the framework set by central government authorities. Additionally, companies with expertise in system maintenance and software development for security-focused applications can leverage similar opportunities to expand their market presence.

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Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068a7a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037571-2026
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

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
£4,999,999 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Apr 2026Today
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 2-3 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
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

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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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