Direct Award - Software renewal for Core Finance System

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Notice Description

The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules is used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of their finances and it is considered business-critical. The below justifications set out in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 apply to this Direct Award; (5) 'Single suppliers' due to the supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods/services. And; (7) 'Additional or repeat goods, services or works' because the contract concerns the supply of goods/services by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods/services in circumstances where-- (a) a change in supplier would result in the University receiving goods/services or that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods/services; and (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules provide a full suite of financial management functions that enables budget management, expenses, source to contract, sales to cash, general ledger reporting and commitment accounting. The contract will also provide support and maintenance of the solution.

Procurement Information

This Transparency Notice (UK5) sets out the University of Plymouth's intention to award a contract to Unit4 Business Software Limited for the provision of the University's core finance system. The Supplier 'Unit4 Business Software Limited (Co No 01737985) whose registered office address is C/O CSC CLS (UK) Limited, 5 Churchill Place, 10th Floor, London, United Kingdom, E14 5HU'; provides the core finance system. The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules is used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of their finances and it is considered business-critical. For these reasons, the University of Plymouth considers the Direct Award justification(s) permissible, under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023. More specifically, sub-section 41 (1) (a) states that "..if a direct award justification applies, a contracting authority may award a public contract directly, to a supplier that is not an excluded supplier".

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056859-2026
Current Stage: Award
All Stages: Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type: UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type: Standard
Procurement Category: Goods
Procurement Method: Direct
Procurement Method Details: Direct award
Tender Suitability: SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale: SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions: 48 - Software package and information systems
CPV Codes: 48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: Not specified
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: £1,486,500 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 16 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: Not specified
Award Date: 16 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period: 1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Complete
Lots Status: Complete
Awards Status: Pending
Contracts Status: Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality: PLYMOUTH, DEVON
Postcode: PL4 8AA
Post Town: Plymouth
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3): TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location: Not specified
Local Authority: Plymouth
Electoral Ward: Drake
Westminster Constituency: Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers: 1
Supplier Name: UNIT4 BUSINESS SOFTWARE

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056859-2026
16th June 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056559-2026
16th June 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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