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Provision of Open Source Tools

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Sep 2026 at 07:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire intends to procure open-source tools for Northamptonshire Police. The requirement is for software and related IT services, with investigation services also indicated by the work classifications. The authority plans to engage suppliers to understand available products and tools, then use that input to refine its requirements and specification before any formal tender. Delivery is associated with Northamptonshire, including the areas around Northampton and Wellingborough. The planned purchase combines goods and services, with a focus on tools that support police activity. This is an early-stage market consultation, rather than an invitation to submit a tender.

The process is at planning stage: the buyer has announced an intention to procure, but has not issued a tender invitation. It expects to hold market-engagement meetings in November 2026 and asks interested suppliers to register their interest by 30 October 2026. This is a request to participate in pre-market discussions, not a deadline for a bid. The planned contract period is 11 January 2027 to 10 January 2029. The procurement is divided into one lot and is expected to be below the applicable threshold. The buyer has not yet set out a procurement method, award procedure or evaluation basis; its stated purpose for engagement is to refine the eventual specification and requirements.

This consultation is suited to suppliers of open-source software and related IT services, including firms with experience advising on, developing, supplying or supporting tools used in investigative policing. Suppliers with products that can address police investigation needs, and those able to explain their capabilities and practical fit to the force, can help shape the eventual requirements through the planned engagement. The authority is seeking market understanding before fixing its specification, so relevant product expertise and a clear account of available tools are useful at this stage. Small and medium-sized businesses are identified as suitable for the single lot. The planned two-year service period indicates a requirement for suppliers able to support delivery over an extended engagement, although detailed technical, accreditation and capacity requirements have yet to be defined.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Open Source Tools

Notice Description

Provision of Open Source Tools for Northamptonshire Police. The Authority is hoping to engage with the Market to better understand the products/tools available to refine our specification and requirements before any formal tender process.

Planning Information

Provision of Open Source Tools for Northamptonshire Police. The Authority is hoping to engage with the Market to better understand the products/tools available to refine our requirements and specification prior to any formal tender. Engagement meetings to be held in November 2026. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is 30th October 2026. If you are interested in attending the Pre-Market Engagement meetings, please complete the requirements section on Atamis and express an interest - https://northamptonshire-opfcc.my.site.com/s/Welcome If you have any problems viewing this opportunity or registering your interest, please email Commercial at Commercial@northants.police.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077b13
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091223-2026
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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

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

79720000 - Investigation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Jan 2027 - 10 Jan 2029 2-3 years
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
The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WELLINGBOROUGH
Postcode
NN8 6GS
Postcode Area
Northampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF25 North Northamptonshire
Delivery Location
TLF24 West Northamptonshire, TLF25 North Northamptonshire
Local Authority
North Northamptonshire
Electoral Ward
Brickhill & Queensway
Westminster Constituency
Wellingborough and Rushden

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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