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Equals Trust Provision of ICT Managed Service

Equals Trust

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

24 Jun 2026 at 11:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

18 Jun 2026 at 15:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 Jun 2026 at 08:09

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Equals Trust is currently in the planning stage of procuring a comprehensive ICT Managed Service, intended to serve the Trust’s 19 primary academies located throughout Nottinghamshire and its central team. The aim is to implement a standardised IT approach, enhancing the effectiveness of services through shared resources and practices across all sites. The contract, worth £3,600,000, is an excellent opportunity for IT service providers specialising in consulting, software development, Internet, and support services, aiming for a consistent IT delivery for both staff and students. Important milestones include responses for pre-market engagement by 3rd July 2026, with procurement anticipated to launch around October 2026, and the project expected to go live by January 2028.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses with expertise in managing ICT services within educational settings. Companies with a proven track record in ICT transformation projects, specifically within school environments, will likely find this contract particularly well-suited to their capabilities. SMEs are encouraged to apply, given the suitability settings that favour entities aiming to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of educational institutions. This is an opportunity to influence and participate in developing a service that will define IT infrastructure across multiple education sites and potentially expand as the Trust grows.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Equals Trust Provision of ICT Managed Service

Notice Description

Equals Trust intends to procure a fully managed ICT managed service for the pupils and employees of all schools and the Trust. The Trust spans the county of Nottinghamshire and is made up of 19 primary academies, with the potential to grow further, and a central team. The aim of the future procurement to award a contract that delivers a consistent approach to IT both for the pupils and the staff, moving over to a Trust model approach rolled out to all schools. This will enable the Trust to maximise the effectiveness of the equipment and service, as well as helping to share resources and best practice across all sites. The purpose of this market engagement is to inform a future procurement process to award a contract for this service. Feedback received will inform the procurement procedure selected, development of the final service specification and procurement documentation. Through this engagement, the Trust aims to: Seek industry insight on the best methods of gathering the technical information required to support a robust, transparent procurement process which delivers best value to the Trust and achieves a standardised management model across the entire Trust; Gain feedback on the draft specification and information currently available to the Trust on ICT arrangements across the schools; Understand current market solutions; Explore implementation and transition approaches; Understand commercial and pricing models; Identify risks or other considerations prior to formal tender. To support these objectives, suppliers will be asked to respond to a structured set of thematic questions, as set out in Appendix 1 - Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire.

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=106319&TID=100111425&B= Update to Preliminary Market Engagement Arrangements The Trust is reviewing the current arrangements for the Preliminary Market Engagement process to ensure that the process is as accessible, transparent and consistent as possible for all interested suppliers. As part of this review, the Trust has decided to cancel the preliminary market engagement sessions currently scheduled. Revised arrangements will be issued shortly and will include updated details on how interested suppliers can participate in the process. All revised arrangements and any updated dates will be communicated through this notice and/or the tender portal at the same time to all interested suppliers. Suppliers who have already booked to attend a session will be contacted separately to confirm that the existing sessions will no longer proceed. The Trust apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks suppliers for their understanding.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b394
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059340-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Jan 2028 - 2 Jan 2031 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Equals Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NOTTINGHAM
Postcode
NG12 5FB
Postcode Area
Nottingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF16 South Nottinghamshire
Delivery Location
TLF14 Nottingham
Local Authority
Rushcliffe
Electoral Ward
Keyworth & Wolds
Westminster Constituency
Rushcliffe

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

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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