Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS

HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

30 Jul 2026 at 08:40

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

30 Jul 2026 at 08:21

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Hertfordshire County Council has undertaken a procurement process to upgrade Herts FullStop's operational platform from Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS, a modern SaaS warehouse management solution. This project falls under the services category, specifically inventory management software development services, with a focus on operational improvement and digital capability enhancement within UK region code UKH23. The procurement stage is the Award, marked by the contract's completion status and a direct award procurement method due to specific technical justifications. Noteworthy dates include the contract start date on 12th August 2026, with a potential extension leading up to 11th August 2028, after the initial one-year period.

This tender provides growth opportunities for technology firms specialising in SaaS solutions and integration services. It highlights the need for expertise in data migration, system automation, and software integration, thereby offering significant business prospects for SMEs in the IT and software development industry, particularly those with a background in educational resource management. Firms capable of delivering customised solutions that improve digital capabilities and operational efficiencies, while addressing existing infrastructure compatibility, would be particularly well-suited to compete in this segment. Such projects not only enhance the service offerings of the businesses involved but also establish a foothold in government contracting, fostering long-term growth and sustainability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS

Notice Description

The contract is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution. The service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases. The objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations. The contracted services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities. Minster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The contract is structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live. In addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing. The solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations.

Procurement Information

Herts FullStop (HFS) has undertaken three separate procurement exercises over several years to replace its core business management platform. The first procurement failed to identify any supplier capable of meeting the Council's requirements. The second resulted in a contract award, but the supplier withdrew during discovery due to unresolved issues regarding intellectual property and liability allocation. A third procurement through a Crown Commercial Service framework progressed to contract negotiations but was ultimately deemed unaffordable because implementation costs exceeded the Council's available funding. These repeated exercises demonstrated that no alternative solution currently available in the market can meet HFS's operational, technical, implementation and affordability requirements. HFS currently relies on Minster Computer Systems' Compass platform to run critical business operations. The proposed contract is for the upgrade and migration to Minster Edge WMS, including implementation, integration, data migration, training and transition services. Minster Computer Systems owns the software, intellectual property, technical architecture, data structures, integrations and licensing rights associated with both the existing and proposed platforms. As a result, only Minster can legally and technically deliver the required upgrade and migration services, meaning there is no reasonable alternative supplier capable of providing the same solution. The direct award is therefore justified under Procurement Act exemption 6.4.3 (exclusive rights and technical reasons). It is also justified under exemption 6.4.5 because changing supplier would require replacement of the entire application estate, redevelopment of integrations, business process redesign, user retraining and reimplementation of multiple system interfaces, creating disproportionate technical complexity, cost and operational risk. Furthermore, exemption 6.4.9 applies because previous competitive procurements failed to deliver a suitable and affordable outcome, providing strong evidence that further competition would be unlikely to achieve a different result. The proposed upgrade to Minster Edge WMS offers a cost-effective and low-risk route to modernisation within the approved budget. It will provide a modern SaaS warehouse management platform, improved reporting and operational visibility, enhanced customer and staff experience, greater digital capability and a foundation for future self-service improvements. Failure to proceed would leave HFS dependent on increasingly outdated technology, limiting operational efficiency, business growth and the organisation's ability to maximise financial returns for Hertfordshire County Council. Consequently, the Council considers the direct award to Minster Computer Systems to be the most economically advantageous, technically viable and operationally secure option available.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072008-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72212430 - Inventory management software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£297,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
11 Aug 2026 - 11 Aug 2027 6-12 months
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
HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY 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
STEVENAGE
Postcode
SG1 2FQ
Post Town
Stevenage
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH26 North and East Hertfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Stevenage
Electoral Ward
Symonds Green
Westminster Constituency
Stevenage

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a-2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY",
            "name": "Hertfordshire County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PWJT-5264-WYMY"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Robertson House, Six Hills Way",
                "locality": "Stevenage",
                "postalCode": "SG1 2FQ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH23"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-02271395",
            "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "02271395"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PRBJ-2953-BWNW"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Unit 3 Sherbrook House",
                "locality": "Lichfield",
                "postalCode": "WS13 6TU",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG24"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Phoebus@MinsterWMS.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY",
        "name": "Hertfordshire County Council"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "HCC2618037",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS",
        "description": "The contract is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution. The service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases. The objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations. The contracted services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities. Minster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The contract is structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live. In addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing. The solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations.",
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "Herts FullStop (HFS) has undertaken three separate procurement exercises over several years to replace its core business management platform. The first procurement failed to identify any supplier capable of meeting the Council's requirements. The second resulted in a contract award, but the supplier withdrew during discovery due to unresolved issues regarding intellectual property and liability allocation. A third procurement through a Crown Commercial Service framework progressed to contract negotiations but was ultimately deemed unaffordable because implementation costs exceeded the Council's available funding. These repeated exercises demonstrated that no alternative solution currently available in the market can meet HFS's operational, technical, implementation and affordability requirements. HFS currently relies on Minster Computer Systems' Compass platform to run critical business operations. The proposed contract is for the upgrade and migration to Minster Edge WMS, including implementation, integration, data migration, training and transition services. Minster Computer Systems owns the software, intellectual property, technical architecture, data structures, integrations and licensing rights associated with both the existing and proposed platforms. As a result, only Minster can legally and technically deliver the required upgrade and migration services, meaning there is no reasonable alternative supplier capable of providing the same solution. The direct award is therefore justified under Procurement Act exemption 6.4.3 (exclusive rights and technical reasons). It is also justified under exemption 6.4.5 because changing supplier would require replacement of the entire application estate, redevelopment of integrations, business process redesign, user retraining and reimplementation of multiple system interfaces, creating disproportionate technical complexity, cost and operational risk. Furthermore, exemption 6.4.9 applies because previous competitive procurements failed to deliver a suitable and affordable outcome, providing strong evidence that further competition would be unlikely to achieve a different result. The proposed upgrade to Minster Edge WMS offers a cost-effective and low-risk route to modernisation within the approved budget. It will provide a modern SaaS warehouse management platform, improved reporting and operational visibility, enhanced customer and staff experience, greater digital capability and a foundation for future self-service improvements. Failure to proceed would leave HFS dependent on increasingly outdated technology, limiting operational efficiency, business growth and the organisation's ability to maximise financial returns for Hertfordshire County Council. Consequently, the Council considers the direct award to Minster Computer Systems to be the most economically advantageous, technically viable and operationally secure option available.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "singleSuppliersIntellectualPropertyExclusiveRights"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "pending",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 297000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-02271395",
                    "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "72212430",
                            "description": "Inventory management software development services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKH23",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKH23",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-08-12T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "A possible extension of up to 12 months in total."
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "071991-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071991-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                },
                {
                    "id": "072008-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072008-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-08-12T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ],
            "date": "2026-07-24T00:00:00+01:00",
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2026-08-11T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}