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Magic Square Software Service Agreement

Coventry University

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 Oct 2026 at 16:36

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

07 Oct 2026 at 16:30

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Coventry University has procured a software service agreement covering four enterprise applications developed and supported by Magic Square Systems: CU ETHICS, OMIS Future Travel, PGR+ and thefutureworks. The systems support the university’s research governance and compliance, travel, postgraduate recruitment and workforce management. Each is a secure ASP.NET MVC application with a SQL Server backend, integrated with the university’s single sign-on and hosted in its dedicated environment. The requirement combines software support and maintenance with continuous improvement, enhancements and strategic development. This is specialist IT software development and support work, rather than a purchase of standalone software. The services support Coventry University’s operations in Coventry, within its own hosted environment.

The procurement is complete and was directly awarded to Magic Square Systems Limited. The award was dated 7 October 2026 and is valued at £237,250 excluding VAT (£284,700 including VAT). The contract period runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2028, with a stated renewal option described as “2+1” and a maximum extent to 31 October 2029. Coventry University’s rationale was to consolidate separate product contracts into one university-wide agreement, broaden service coverage and add structured improvement and strategic development capacity. The university cited technical reasons and said its market analysis found no comparable offering from another supplier. There is one lot, marked suitable for SMEs. The award is recorded as pending.

This award shows demand from Coventry University for a supplier able to support a portfolio of established, operationally important university applications, rather than deliver a single new system. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need the technical capability to develop and maintain secure ASP.NET MVC applications backed by SQL Server, integrate them with the university’s single sign-on and support hosting in the university’s dedicated environment. The four applications span research governance and compliance, travel, postgraduate recruitment and workforce management, so relevant product knowledge and the ability to sustain several services together would matter. The service model also calls for responsive support and maintenance, structured continuous improvement and enhancements, and planned strategic development aligned with product roadmaps. The stated rationale indicates that Coventry University valued continuity and a service offer comparable across all four products.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Magic Square Software Service Agreement

Notice Description

The Services provided under this Agreement comprise four enterprise applications developed and supported by Magic Square Systems Limited ("MSS") for Coventry University: CU ETHICS, OMIS Future Travel (OMIS FT), PGR+, and thefutureworks (TFW). Each platform is delivered as a secure ASP.NET MVC application with a SQL Server backend, fully integrated with Coventry University's Single Sign On (SSO) infrastructure and hosted within the University's dedicated environment. Together, these systems support critical operational, governance and compliance processes across research, travel, postgraduate recruitment and workforce management.

Procurement Information

This contract facilitates a move away from individual University Product Contracts to a Single University Co-Term Agreement. This Software Service Agreement represents a material enhancement in the level, structure and value of service provision across the four products. This contract delivers the broader scope of coverage which includes: enhanced Support & Maintenance, a more structured Continuous Improvement & Enhancements service, and the introduction of a dedicated Strategic Development Allowance that was not available under the previous SLA model. This SSA provides greater assurance, resilience and continuity across the contract term, while also creating planned capacity for product evolution, road map alignment, proactive improvements and future development. This contract is an investment in a more comprehensive, forward-looking and strategically aligned service model that better supports the long-term sustainability and development of the products. Market analysis undertaken by Coventry University has not resulted in a comparable service offering from any alternative supplier.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07831f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094925-2026
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
SME
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
£237,250 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 2-3 years
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
Coventry University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 5FB
Postcode Area
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MAGIC SQUARE SYSTEMS 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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