Award

Transparency Notice - Direct Award of ERP System (Finance and Procure-to-Pay)

ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 May 2026 at 18:11

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The contracting process for a transparency notice involves a direct award by Arts University Bournemouth, located in Poole, UK, for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including finance and procure-to-pay modules, to Access UK Limited. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically pertaining to enterprise resource planning software development services, and the total contract value is £509,020. The award is scheduled to be signed on 1st June 2026, with the contract period spanning from 31st December 2026 to 30th December 2029, and potentially extendable by a year. The procurement process, classified as a direct award, is justified by the technical reasons for keeping the existing system to ensure continuity and avoid the complexities of switching suppliers.

This tender represents a critical opportunity for businesses involved in ERP solutions and related technical services. As Arts University Bournemouth seeks to continue its operations seamlessly, companies offering consultancy services, particularly those with resources to troubleshoot and provide ongoing support, may find this contract of interest. Given Access UK Limited's role as the incumbent supplier, businesses capable of facilitating the transition in the future or providing additional support services may also find potential growth avenues in forming strategic partnerships or offering complementary services. The focus is on ensuring continuity and technical stability, which offers opportunities for consultancy and technical support providers experienced in complex system integration and management.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Transparency Notice - Direct Award of ERP System (Finance and Procure-to-Pay)

Notice Description

The Authority intends to award a contract to continue the provision of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including finance, procurement, and invoicing modules (Access Dimensions, FocalPoint, and Lightyear). The system supports core financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, and procure-to-pay workflows, and is fully embedded across the Authority's operational processes.

Procurement Information

The Authority is awarding this contract directly to the incumbent supplier, The Access Group, on the basis of single supplier availability due to technical reasons. The current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (Access Dimensions, FocalPoint, and Lightyear) is business-critical and fully embedded within the Authority's financial and procurement operations. The system supports core functions including general ledger, accounts payable, and procure-to-pay workflows, and is integrated across multiple operational processes. Due to this level of technical integration, transitioning to an alternative supplier would require full system replacement, including data migration, reconfiguration of interfaces and integrations, and retraining of users. This would result in: * Disproportionate financial cost relative to the value of the contract * Significant technical complexity and implementation risk * Potential disruption to critical finance and payment operations The Authority has therefore determined that no reasonable alternative supplier can be engaged at this time without incurring disproportionate cost and disruption. This direct award is intended as a transitional arrangement to ensure continuity of service while allowing time for the Authority to review its requirements and undertake a compliant future procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069a9a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045164-2026
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

72212451 - Enterprise resource planning software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£424,183 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 May 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Dec 2026 - 30 Dec 2029 3-4 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
ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
POOLE
Postcode
BH12 5HH
Post Town
Bournemouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Electoral Ward
Talbot & Branksome Woods
Westminster Constituency
Bournemouth West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ACCESS

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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