--- title: "Request for Information - Statistical Analysis Software Licensing and Usage Review" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER" published: "2025-11-14" --- # Request for Information - Statistical Analysis Software Licensing and Usage Review Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab.json) ## Summary The University of Manchester is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process, seeking information for a project titled "Request for Information - Statistical Analysis Software Licensing and Usage Review". As the buying organisation, the University aims to review its existing software licensing arrangements due to rising costs and changing requirements. This initiative falls under the industry category of "Software Package and Information Systems" and "IT Services: Consulting, Software Development, Internet and Support". The pertinent location is Manchester, with the delivery address postal code being M139PL. An early engagement notice was published on 14th November 2025, with a project deadline set for 1st December 2025. This tender presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in statistical analysis software and IT consulting to engage with a prestigious educational institution. It is particularly suited for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) that can offer licensing optimisation and cost reduction strategies. Involvement in this request for information could lead to future procurement opportunities, as the University is exploring potential software transitions and cost reduction strategies. This initial RFI stage is not a formal request for bids but allows businesses to showcase their expertise and lay groundwork for future collaboration. ## Notice The University of Manchester currently holds licences for a statistical and scientific analysis tool, which can create high-quality scientific graphs. Rising licensing costs and evolving usage requirements necessitate a review of existing arrangements and potential alternatives. This project will engage with a partner to explore cost reduction strategies, licence optimisation, and potential software transitions, with academic consultation and product ownership as central components. The University of Manchester no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice Additional information: Information, formalities and necessary requirements to be met will be set out in the procurement documents, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity Please note - This process is not a formal request for bids. The RFI may ask for prices/costs but this is for information purposes only at this stage. The publication of this RFI does not commit the University to any procurement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1dc7497d-4032-4795-b9c9-96cbc5d4eb15 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Nov 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Dec 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER | | Locality | MANCHESTER | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M13 9PL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester | | Local authority | Manchester | | Electoral ward | Hulme | | Westminster constituency | Manchester Rusholme | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 48 - Software package and information systems - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 48000000 - Software package and information systems - 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ## Release History - 14 Nov 2025 at 14:55 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1dc7497d-4032-4795-b9c9-96cbc5d4eb15 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1dc7497d-4032-4795-b9c9-96cbc5d4eb15 14th November 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a12a228e-423f-467b-9fcc-3f97bcff44ab.json.