---
title: "Virtual Learning Environment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY"
published: "2024-10-28"
---

# Virtual Learning Environment

Buyer: CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db.json)

## Summary

Canterbury Christ Church University has completed a procurement process to re-contract the provision of its virtual learning environment, Blackboard. Classified under the educational software package industry category (CPV: 48190000), the procurement was conducted using a limited method whereby the university negotiated directly without publishing a contract notice. The main delivery location for this contract is Canterbury, Kent (region UKJ), and it is governed by public law under the legal basis CELEX 32014L0024. The contract, valued at £1,886,121, was awarded to Blackboard International B.V. on 22 October 2024, and will run for five years. The procurement rationale highlighted the technical necessity to remain with Blackboard due to resource constraints and high costs associated with transitioning to a new system.

This tender presents significant business opportunities for companies that specialise in providing educational technology solutions, particularly those offering robust virtual learning environments. Given the high value and extended duration of the contract, suppliers capable of demonstrating technical expertise and reliability in managing large-scale educational software systems are well-positioned to compete in such tenders. Businesses that can offer innovative solutions with low transition costs and minimal implementation periods would be particularly advantageous given the university's prioritisation of stability and resource management. Additionally, this contract exemplifies the importance of building long-term relationships with public sector organisations, ensuring consistent service quality and support.

## Notice

This contract is for the provision of the University's virtual learning environment.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This contract is for the provision of a virtual learning environment for all CCCU students.

### Procurement Information

The University has used the Blackboard virtual learning environment for many years. The current contract is due to expire but the University does not have the resource to undertake the implementation of a new system due to several existing, business critical IT projects. Blackboard is considered to be a stable platform and therefore is a low priority for limited IT resource. That resource has instead been directed to other vital IT systems which are considered to be a higher priority. The cost of change for a VLE would also be very high given the impact on 12,000+ students and c.1000 members of staff. In addition, a 12 month+ implementation period with considerable consultancy cost. For these reasons the University has decided to re-contract for a further five years with Anthology for the provision of the Blackboard system.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034864-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated without publication of a contract notice |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Oct 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Oct 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £1,886,121 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | CANTERBURY |
| Post town | Canterbury |
| Postcode | CT1 1QU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent |
| ITL 3 | TLJ44 East Kent |
| Local authority | Canterbury |
| Electoral ward | Barton |
| Westminster constituency | Canterbury |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | BLACKBOARD INTERNATIONAL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems

### Codes

- 48190000 - Educational software package

## Release History

- 28 Oct 2024 at 14:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034864-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.canterbury.ac.uk

## 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-04b1db. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b1db.json.