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UE28844715092027

University of Exeter

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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15 Sep 2026 at 15:06

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Exeter procured Funnelback search and customer-care services. The requirement falls within IT services, covering consulting, software development, internet and support activity associated with the buyer’s search function. It is a service contract for the university rather than a supply of goods or construction works. The named supplier is Squiz UK Ltd, an SME providing the awarded service. The buyer is based in Exeter, and the requirement is connected with the university’s operations. Businesses relevant to this opportunity are those able to provide and support Funnelback search technology, together with customer-care services for an institutional client. The scope is presented as a single requirement rather than separate service packages, so a supplier would need to address both the search and support elements as a combined service.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to Squiz UK Ltd. The University of Exeter used a direct award below the applicable threshold without competition, under the legal basis identified as 2023/54. One supplier was selected for the single requirement. The contract was signed on 20 August 2026, runs from 26 September 2026 to 20 August 2027, and is valued at £31,400 gross. The contract is active and the award is active. The stated basis for the procurement is the direct, below-threshold route rather than a competitive tender. The awarded service is classified as IT services, including consulting, software development, internet and support. No separate lot awards or alternative suppliers are recorded.

This award is useful market evidence for suppliers serving universities with search platforms and associated customer support. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need practical capability in Funnelback search, including the technical support and internet-related services covered by the classification, alongside a customer-care operation able to support an institutional buyer. The procurement also shows that the University of Exeter has bought these services as one combined requirement and used a direct below-threshold route for this contract. Relevant businesses are therefore likely to be specialist search and digital-support providers, including SMEs with the capacity to deliver both platform-related expertise and ongoing customer care. Experience supporting comparable public-sector or higher-education users would help demonstrate fit, although no specific accreditation or qualification is identified here.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UE28844715092027

Notice Description

Funnelback Search & Customer Care

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fa57
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087393-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£31,400 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
26 Sep 2026 - 20 Aug 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Exeter
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX4 4QJ
Postcode Area
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Duryard and St James
Westminster Constituency
Exeter

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SQUIZ UK LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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