--- title: "Cash Bursary Alternatives/PRO/PIN/2021" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "THE OPEN UNIVERSITY" published: "2021-03-12" --- # Cash Bursary Alternatives/PRO/PIN/2021 Buyer: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e.json) ## Summary The Open University is currently at the planning stage of its procurement process for the project titled "Cash Bursary Alternatives/PRO/PIN/2021". This initiative falls under the software package and information systems industry category, targeting goods through a tender process. Suppliers are invited to submit their responses through the e-tendering platform, In-Tend, by noon on 23rd April 2020. The project aims to identify innovative electronic solutions that can replace traditional cash bursaries for students, with briefing sessions scheduled for 25th March 2021 to clarify the requirements further. This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in electronic software solutions, particularly those focused on online systems that facilitate financial support in educational settings. Companies offering virtual wallets, restricted marketplaces, or other innovative solutions that enhance the student experience without direct cash payments would be especially well-suited to engage in this tender. By participating in this process, suppliers can contribute to the development of a unique service for students and potentially expand their market presence within the education sector. ## Notice This is a request for information only. The OU is carrying out pre-market research to identify electronic software solutions as an alternative to providing cash bursaries or direct payments to students.Suppliers that would like to respond to this request for information must do so on In-Tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity), details in Communication above. A RFI pack is available to download on In-Tend. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is not a call for competition, for the purposes of Regulation 26(9) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. ### Lot Information Lot 1 We are requesting information from suppliers about their online electronic solutions or portals to support students who are unable to accept a bursary paid via direct payment into their bank accounts.The OU would like to receive information from suppliers on solutions which deliver support in the same way many Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Authorities deliver Personal Health Budgets. The OU is open to various solutions such as virtual wallets, limited marketplaces and restricted trading platforms, or other solutions which might support overcoming this problem.Suppliers are requested to respond to this PIN via The Open University's e-tendering website, In-Tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity). Suppliers should complete and return a Request for Information Response Document by no later that noon on 23rd April 2020. Submissions must be made via the In-Tend correspondence function.The OU is offering a limited number of briefing sessions to suppliers on a first come, first served basis. The purpose of the briefing session is to provide further context to our requirement and for suppliers to ask questions and share some of their solution ideas with us prior to submitting their formal RFI response. The briefing sessions will be on a one-to-one basis. They will be held on the 25th March 2021 and the timeslots available are indicated in the RFI response pack with questions on how to request a session. The sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams.The OU requires a mechanism to provide support to students which doesn't involve directly providing payments to students. We envisage providing an electronic solution which holds cash credits that can be spent on providing products/services to students through the main software/marketplace/portal supplier without the need for The OU to contract with individual suppliers.When a student chooses a product and/or service, this will be provided directly to the student, either by the solution provider or their partners.The solution will also facilitate payment for these items/services from the authorised funds the OU provides.The OU anticipates that this solution will be delivered as an off the shelf, software as a service package, managed by a single vendor. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005117-2021 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 12 Mar 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 12 Mar 2021 | | 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 | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE OPEN UNIVERSITY | | Locality | MILTON KEYNES | | Post town | Milton Keynes | | Postcode | MK7 6BP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLJ12 Milton Keynes | | Local authority | Milton Keynes | | Electoral ward | Monkston | | Westminster constituency | Milton Keynes Central | | Delivery location | TLJ12 Milton Keynes | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 48 - Software package and information systems - 66 - Financial and insurance services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 48000000 - Software package and information systems - 48481000 - Sales or marketing software package - 66151000 - Financial market operational services - 66151100 - Electronic marketplace retailing services - 79342320 - Customer-care services ## Release History - 12 Mar 2021 at 20:22 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005117-2021 ## Notice URLs - http://www.open.ac.uk - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity/ ## 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-h6vhtk-029b6e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-029b6e.json.