--- title: "Electoral Management System (EMS)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-06-19" --- # Electoral Management System (EMS) Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd.json) ## Summary The public procurement process led by Durham County Council for an Electoral Management System (EMS) has been recently completed. This tender aimed to enhance the statutory functions of Electoral Registration and Elections Management in compliance with Government legislation and regulations. The procurement, categorised under industry-specific software packages, was conducted via an open procedure and is associated with the region of Durham, UK. The contract, awarded to FCS Software Solutions Limited, is valued at £638,000 (gross amount £765,600) and covers a period from 15th June 2026 to 31st May 2029, with possible extensions up to a maximum of 2034. The initiative prioritises a cloud-based solution to replace the existing on-premise system, aligning with the Council's digital transformation goals. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in software solutions, particularly those adept in developing scalable, cloud-based electoral management systems. Companies with expertise in digital transformation and industry-specific software development stand to gain by pursuing such initiatives. SMEs like FCS Software Solutions Limited have demonstrated the ability to secure contracts within the public sector by focusing on cost-effective, compliant systems that cater to legislative changes. As the public sector continues to modernise operations, similar procurements can drive substantial business growth for technology providers with proven capabilities in adaptive and efficient software solutions. ## Notice Electoral Registration & Elections Management are statutory functions the Council must provide for. Both functions are managed in accordance with Government legislation/regulations. An electronic management system is absolutely key to delivering the service, particularly the elections aspect, in the statutory timescales that apply. The current software system is hosted on premise. The Council's digital services team are keen for the EMS to move onto a cloud platform to become more cost effective. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: The Contract period is for an initial 3-year period, with the option to extend for 1 x 36 month period, then 1 final extension period of 1 x 24 months, subject to satisfactory performance, service continuity, and the Council's future requirements. The anticipated go-live date for the new system is 11th December 2026, following a 6-month period of mobilisation and implementation. ### Planning Information Written questionnaire available to access free of charge at open-uk.org Deadline for completed written responses is 12 noon on Friday 5th September 2025. Providers who complete a written response questionnaire, and provide satisfactory responses, will be invited to demonstrate their system via Microsoft Teams, based on the scenarios and questions outlined in section 5 of the PME questionnaire. We anticipate system demonstrations to take place in September 2025 and will last 2 hours per provider. *Please note the 1 week extension and new deadline for this PME opportunity. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057815-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | 14 Apr 2026 | | Future notice date | 5 Sep 2025 | | Award date | 26 May 2026 | | Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 31 May 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £600,000 | | Lots value | £600,000 | | Awards value | £638,000 | | Contracts value | £638,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | DURHAM | | Post town | Durham | | Postcode | DH1 5WB | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear | | ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham | | Local authority | County Durham | | Electoral ward | Framwellgate and Newton Hall | | Westminster constituency | City of Durham | | Delivery location | TLC14 Durham | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | FCS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 48 - Software package and information systems ### Codes - 48100000 - Industry specific software package ## Release History - 19 Jun 2026 at 07:19 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057815-2026 - 27 May 2026 at 16:12 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049955-2026 - 5 Mar 2026 at 15:10 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020012-2026 - 12 Aug 2025 at 08:58 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047867-2025 - 8 Aug 2025 at 08:09 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047123-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057815-2026 19th June 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049955-2026 27th May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020012-2026 5th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047867-2025 12th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047123-2025 8th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - www.open-uk.org Tender documents can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at www.open-uk.org ## Notice URLs - http://www.durham.gov.uk/ - http://www.fcssoftware.co.uk - 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-0583dd. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0583dd.json.