--- title: "Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED" published: "2025-07-14" --- # Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract Buyer: COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3.json) ## Summary Cottsway Housing Association Limited, a public authority sub-central government organisation located in Witney, UK, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for software development and data services. The organisation has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential suppliers capable of providing these services via a service-based contract. The tender focuses on the services category, specifically software programming and consultancy, as well as data services. Interested parties should be aware of the upcoming deadline for submission, set for 31 July 2025. The contract is valued at approximately £100,000 gross, with the anticipated service period commencing on 1 September 2025 and extending for two years, with potential renewal options. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in software development and data management services, particularly those with experience in delivering flexible and cost-effective solutions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may find this opportunity particularly appealing, given the organisation's openness to such entities, as indicated in the procurement documents. Suppliers who can provide comprehensive solutions for development, data warehousing, and analytics support are well-suited to compete. Clear advantages exist for businesses with the capability to offer innovative service models, manage data effectively, and engage in business process improvements through digital tools and automation. The focus on a lightweight response at this stage allows potential contractors to showcase their strategic approach and pricing models without the need for full proposals or detailed service level agreements. ## Notice Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Software Development and Data Services via a Service-Based Contract Summary Cottsway is seeking information from organisations capable of providing software development and data services through a service-based contract. This follows an internal review of resourcing options and a decision to explore external delivery models in place of direct recruitment. This RFI is intended to understand the market's ability to support the following areas through a flexible, cost-effective service arrangement. It is not a call for competition, and responses will inform our future procurement approach. Scope of Services We are seeking suppliers who can support both development and data-related activities, including but not limited to: Software Development Services * Development of business tools and automations (e.g. using Python, JavaScript) * Business process improvements and systems integration (e.g. via APIs) * Support and enhancement of existing applications and digital platforms Data and Reporting Services * Development of SQL queries and reporting solutions * Management and structuring of data for self-service access * Data warehousing, ETL processes, and analytics support * Use of tools and methods to enable data quality monitoring, smart reporting, and AI/ML-powered insights Information Requested Suppliers are invited to provide the following details in response to this RFI: * Overview of Your Organisation and Relevant Experience: o Brief introduction to your organisation and relevant experience in delivering both development and data services * Service Model and Delivery Approach: o The type of contract models you offer (e.g. ticket-based support, fixed hours per month, annual retainer, etc.) o Your ability to support a 24-month service contract o How you typically manage incoming work requests and prioritise delivery * Service Objectives and Quality: o What service levels or delivery expectations you typically work to o An outline of how you usually manage service objectives, turnaround times, and overall quality assurance (rather than full SLAs) * Pricing Approach: o Indicative cost structures or typical pricing models for similar arrangements (e.g. monthly fees, bundled hours, on-demand rates) o An indication of pricing based on the above details. Response Guidelines We are looking for a light-touch response at this stage. Please provide a short overview based on the points above, outlining how you typically deliver these services and the structure you would propose for a two-year arrangement. At this stage, there will be no requirement to interview, we are just looking for a brief proposal based on the requirements set out above. There is no need to submit full proposals or detailed SLAs at this stage. Budget Our budget is around PS50,000 Per Year. Timeline Please submit your response by 31/07/2025 @ 14:00 Contact and Submission Responses and clarifications should be submitted via the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/LoginHelp. ### Planning Information We are looking for a light-touch response at this stage. Please provide a short overview based on the points above, outlining how you typically deliver these services and the structure you would propose for a two-year arrangement. At this stage, there will be no requirement to interview, we are just looking for a brief proposal based on the requirements set out above. There is no need to submit full proposals or detailed SLAs at this stage. Contact and Submission Responses and clarifications should be submitted via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/ProjectManage/138. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039649-2025 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Jul 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 31 Jul 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £80,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | COTTSWAY HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED | | Locality | WITNEY | | Post town | Oxford | | Postcode | OX28 4YG | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC | | Local authority | West Oxfordshire | | Electoral ward | Witney South | | Westminster constituency | Witney | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services - 72300000 - Data services ## Release History - 14 Jul 2025 at 13:10 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039649-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039649-2025 14th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/LoginHelp - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cottsway/aspx/ProjectManage/138 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-055ea3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055ea3.json.