This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

16 Sep 2026 at 17:18

Summary of the contracting process

SONI Ltd is procuring software licensing and buying services for use across the United Kingdom. The requirement covers two lots: Productivity Platform Licensing Services, and Multi-Supplier Software Licensing & Buying Services. Suppliers will provide software licensing support and associated IT services, with Lot 2 requiring outcome-based delivery and responsibility for selecting, managing and delivering the resources, processes, tools and methods needed to achieve agreed outcomes. The procurement is a services opportunity for businesses supplying software, licensing, procurement or related IT support. SONI is a private utility based in Belfast, and delivery is required in the United Kingdom. The arrangement is intended to support SONI’s software purchasing and licensing requirements through a dedicated or multi-supplier model.

The procurement has reached tender: SONI invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure. Expressions of interest were due by 30 October 2026 at 12:00 GMT, and enquiries closed on 16 October 2026 at 12:00 BST. Award decisions are scheduled by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT. The estimated total value is £68,557,055.08 excluding VAT, or £82,268,466.09 including VAT. Lot 1 is valued at £17,607,112.67 excluding VAT (£21,128,553.20 including VAT); Lot 2 at £50,949,942.41 excluding VAT (£61,139,930.89 including VAT). Both lots run from 15 January 2027 to 14 January 2032, with an option to extend by up to three years. A closed framework may appoint up to three suppliers, with competition reopened for call-offs. Evaluation is 40% cost, 25% approach and methodology, 20% previous experience and 15% team capacity. Economic and technical selection criteria apply, and SMEs are suitable.

This opportunity suits software licensing providers, technology procurement specialists, IT consultancies and managed service businesses able to support a large utility’s software requirements. Relevant suppliers should be able to demonstrate recent, relevant experience delivering contracts of this nature, a clear approach and methodology for planning and delivering the required services, and sufficient capacity to provide an effective team. Lot 2 places particular emphasis on the allocation of human resources, including the qualifications and experience of proposed key personnel and management of their time. Bidders will also need to provide transparent pricing, combined service costs and daily rates. The requirement is suitable for SMEs and offers a route into a multi-supplier framework, with Lot 1 focused on productivity platform licensing and Lot 2 on broader outcome-based licensing and buying services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

SONI089 - Software Licensing & Buying Services

Notice Description

This document outlines the structured process being used by SONI in the selection of suppliers for the provision of Software Licensing & Buying Services. This document provides a description of the services we wish to procure. The purpose of the RFP is to invite detailed proposals from interested parties (Tenderers) for the provision of said services. This RFP document together with all supporting requirement documents contains detailed information required by the Tenderer to submit a valid tender proposal. Tenderers are requested to respond to all areas and requirements specified in these documents.

Lot Information

Productivity Platform Licensing Services

Refer to Request for Proposal and Scope of Work

Renewal: 5 years with the option to extend up to 3 years at SONI's sole discretion

Multi-Supplier Software Licensing & Buying Services

The Supplier shall provide the Services described in this Section 3 and in the Scope of Requirements for Lot 2 (incorporated into this SOW). The Services are outcome-based and the Supplier remains responsible for selecting, managing and delivering the resources, processes, tools and methods required to achieve the agreed outcomes. The Services comprise the following service areas:

Renewal: : 5 years base term + option to extend by up to 3 years at SONI's sole discretion

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0773e9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087972-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
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

48210000 - Networking software package

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£68,557,055 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£68,557,054 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Jan 2027 - 14 Jan 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SONI Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT6 9RT
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0E Lisburn and Castlereagh
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Lisburn and Castlereagh
Electoral Ward
Moneyreagh
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

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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