Award

Domain Name Service (DNS) Solution

BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

03 Jun 2026 at 13:33

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

03 Jun 2026 at 13:30

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

03 Jun 2026 at 13:17

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has completed procurement for a Domain Name Service (DNS) Solution to support its online presence. The procurement process, tagged under "services" in the industry category, was finalised with a contract award to IBM United Kingdom Limited. The procurement was a direct award due to the critical requirement for continuity and technical expertise, following a terminated competitive process. The contract with IBM commenced on 12th June 2026 and is set to run until 28th May 2029. The procurement process took place in London, UK, and was carried out under the direct procurement method, reflecting a need to maintain effective service delivery for the BBC's global online reach.

This contract presents lucrative business growth opportunities primarily for large-scale technology organisations specialising in internet and network services such as DNS. While small and medium enterprises could have participated in the original tender, the final contract was awarded to an incumbent large-scale supplier, highlighting the advantageous position established providers may have in similar scenarios. Businesses that can offer high availability and technical expertise in managing large-scale internet services would be well-suited to compete in similar future tenders, provided they meet stringent technical and operational requirements crucial to the BBC's operational demands.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Domain Name Service (DNS) Solution

Notice Description

The BBC is procuring an Internet-facing authoritative DNS (Domain Name Service) solution. The purpose of this solution is to ensure BBC Online and related services continue to remain available in the UK across the globe. Due to the critical nature of this service to the BBC's online presence, it is essential the BBC has direct access to the technical and operational teams responsible for providing the DNS services. To ensure service continuity and the necessary level of technical expertise, the BBC will not accept tender submissions from third parties, such as resellers. Currently, the high availability design of BBC Online relies heavily on DNS for load balancing across different service architectures, failover responses in the event of service problems, and ensuring the best possible audience experience by routing clients to the most appropriate services that can respond to their requests. Original Tender notication was published using PCR2015. A decision to terminate the Competitive Procedure was taken on 18/12/2025 following an internal review which concluded that no suitable bids were received and proceeding would not currently deliver value for money for the license fee payer.

Procurement Information

Original Tender notification was published using PCR2015. In accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to direct award following a failed procurement procedure, the BBC intends to award the contract directly to a supplier capable of meeting the requirement. The decision to terminate the competitive process was taken on 18/12/2025 following an internal review which concluded that no suitable bids, technical and contract terms related, were received and proceeding would not currently deliver value for money for the license fee payer. IBM were the incumbent supplier and are able to continue the service for the time being.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ac8d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052401-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72222300 - Information technology services

72315000 - Data network management and support services

72417000 - Internet domain names

72700000 - Computer network services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,100,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jun 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 May 20266 days ago
Contract Period
11 Jun 2026 - 28 May 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
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
W1A 1AA
Post Town
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
West End
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

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06ac8d-2026-06-03T14:33:25+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-03T14:33:25+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06ac8d",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PJRB-3233-GTQL",
            "name": "BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PJRB-3233-GTQL"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Broadcasting House, Portland Place",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "W1A 1AA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "no_reply@bbc.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PNQM-8935-PYGQ",
            "name": "IBM United Kingdom Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PNQM-8935-PYGQ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Building C, IBM Hursley Office, Hursley Park Road",
                "locality": "Winchester",
                "postalCode": "SO21 2JN",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ36"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Alok.Anvekar@ibm.com",
                "telephone": "02072023000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PJRB-3233-GTQL",
        "name": "BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "PROC/2024/39",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Domain Name Service (DNS) Solution",
        "description": "The BBC is procuring an Internet-facing authoritative DNS (Domain Name Service) solution. The purpose of this solution is to ensure BBC Online and related services continue to remain available in the UK across the globe. Due to the critical nature of this service to the BBC's online presence, it is essential the BBC has direct access to the technical and operational teams responsible for providing the DNS services. To ensure service continuity and the necessary level of technical expertise, the BBC will not accept tender submissions from third parties, such as resellers. Currently, the high availability design of BBC Online relies heavily on DNS for load balancing across different service architectures, failover responses in the event of service problems, and ensuring the best possible audience experience by routing clients to the most appropriate services that can respond to their requests. Original Tender notication was published using PCR2015. A decision to terminate the Competitive Procedure was taken on 18/12/2025 following an internal review which concluded that no suitable bids were received and proceeding would not currently deliver value for money for the license fee payer.",
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "Original Tender notification was published using PCR2015. In accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to direct award following a failed procurement procedure, the BBC intends to award the contract directly to a supplier capable of meeting the requirement. The decision to terminate the competitive process was taken on 18/12/2025 following an internal review which concluded that no suitable bids, technical and contract terms related, were received and proceeding would not currently deliver value for money for the license fee payer. IBM were the incumbent supplier and are able to continue the service for the time being.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "switchingDirectAward"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 1320000,
                "amount": 1100000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PNQM-8935-PYGQ",
                    "name": "IBM United Kingdom Limited"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "72222300",
                            "description": "Information technology services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "72315000",
                            "description": "Data network management and support services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "72700000",
                            "description": "Computer network services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "72417000",
                            "description": "Internet domain names"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-06-12T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2029-05-28T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "052394-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052394-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-03T14:17:44+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                },
                {
                    "id": "052400-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052400-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-03T14:30:40+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                },
                {
                    "id": "052401-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052401-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-03T14:33:25+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-06-12T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ],
            "date": "2026-05-29T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}