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Request for Information (RFI) - STAR Procurement - Tender Management / E-Tendering Solution

Trafford Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 14:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Trafford Council is testing the market for a tender management and e-tendering solution. The requirement is a software and related services package covering the functionality, implementation approach and commercial model needed to support future tender management and electronic procurement. The shared STAR Procurement service supports Knowsley Council, Rochdale Borough Council, St Helens Borough Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and Trafford Council. Delivery is intended in the United Kingdom, for procurement activity across Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region. This is a services requirement for providers of established or developing digital procurement platforms, including suppliers able to explain how their systems support public-sector tendering across multiple participating authorities.

The process is at the planning and market-engagement stage, rather than a formal tender. Trafford Council is seeking information to understand current market functionality, implementation considerations and commercial models. An initial request for information is scheduled to close at 12 noon on 17 August 2026, followed by further engagement through solution demonstrations. The exercise does not constitute a procurement process or a commitment to purchase. The anticipated procurement is below threshold and currently has one lot, with an indicative contract period from 1 August 2027 to 31 May 2028 and a possible extension to 31 May 2029. A future notice is expected on 1 April 2027. The published value is £1 GBP.

This engagement will suit software providers specialising in e-tendering, tender management and wider source-to-contract systems, particularly businesses experienced in serving councils or shared public procurement services. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate current platform functionality, explain implementation requirements and outline viable commercial models for a service used by six local authorities. Useful preparation will include evidence of integrating or supporting multi-authority procurement operations, configuring workflows for different councils, managing electronic tendering securely and providing implementation and ongoing support. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so specialist SMEs with a credible platform, relevant public-sector experience and the capacity to support a regional shared service should consider engaging at this stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information (RFI) - STAR Procurement - Tender Management / E-Tendering Solution

Notice Description

STAR Procurement is undertaking market testing to inform the future direction of its Tender Management and E-Tendering arrangements. STAR Procurement is a shared procurement service supporting six local authorities across Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region: * Knowsley Council * Rochdale Borough Council * St Helens Borough Council * Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council * Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council * Trafford Council We are seeking information from providers of Tender Management and E-Tendering solutions to help us better understand the current market, available functionality, implementation considerations and commercial models. This exercise is for market engagement and information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a formal procurement process or commitment to purchase.

Planning Information

Initial Request for Information Process (Closing 17th August - 12-noon) Leading to further engagement via Solution Demonstrations This exercise is for market engagement and information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a formal procurement process or commitment to purchase.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d20d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069768-2026
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

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20276 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 31 May 2028 6-12 months
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
Trafford Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALE
Postcode
M33 7ZF
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Trafford
Electoral Ward
Sale Central
Westminster Constituency
Wythenshawe and Sale East

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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