--- title: "Research Grants Management System" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "ASTON UNIVERSITY" published: "2026-04-17" --- # Research Grants Management System Buyer: ASTON UNIVERSITY Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db.json) ## Summary Aston University, located in Birmingham, is seeking to procure a new Research Grants Management System due to the impending end-of-life of their current Unit 4 Agresso Research Costing and Pricing system. This tender, initiated in April 2026, aims to enhance automation, collaboration, and reporting across the university's research funding processes. The procurement method used is a competitive flexible procedure, with significant emphasis on quality at 80% and cost at 20%. The contract commenced on April 27, 2026, and is expected to run until November 2029, with potential extensions to 2031. This opportunity falls under the services category, specifically software-related services, and is open to electronic submissions in English. This tender opens avenues for businesses specialising in software development and information systems, particularly those offering innovative solutions for grants management and accounting. Given the complexity and collaborative nature of the project, it suits established SMEs capable of providing sophisticated software packages and related services. Successful bidders will have the chance to work with Aston University on enhancing strategic operations through improved digital solutions, addressing critical compliance issues, and facilitating better data-driven decisions. The contract presents substantial value for businesses, with gross amounts reaching beyond half a million GBP, making it a lucrative opportunity for growth and partnership in the higher education sector. ## Notice The University currently uses Unit 4 Agresso Research Costing and Pricing (ARCP) as its research grant management system and costing tool. It provides valuable data and reports as part of Aston's pre- and post-award grants processes and houses the approvals process via an automated system in Agresso. The tool also functions as a storage facility for application and award paperwork, tax liabilities and due diligence. All research reporting using PowerBI is underpinned by data held in ARCP. Due to Unit 4 issuing an end-of-life announcement, ARCP will no longer be supported or maintained from 31st December 2026. Without a timely viable alternative, there is a significant risk that the university would not be compliant with Cyber Essentials and critical business activities would grind to a halt. The ARCP system is used by Research and Enterprise and Research Finance, and provides information for the Finance Director, College Deans, and Vice Chancellor. Given the end-of life announcement for ARCP, the teams want to use this opportunity to find a solution that can deliver improved automation, collaboration and reporting across the teams involved in pre-award and post-award research funding enhancing strategic operations ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: Any subsequent extension to the contract will be agreed between Aston and the Supplier. It is likely that Aston will seek the Supplier to demonstrate improvements and/or price reductions before considering an extension. For any extension(s) to the contract, discussions with the Supplier shall be conducted sufficiently far in advance of the contract expiry date to arrive at an agreed position. The ability to continually meet the University's Key Performance Indicators and service level agreement whilst delivering best value and sustained performance and support will impact the decision to extend. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034976-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 17 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | 19 Dec 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 4 Mar 2026 | | Contract period | 26 Apr 2026 - 16 Nov 2029 | | Recurrence | 2030-02-12 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £596,000 | | Lots value | £596,000 | | Awards value | £299,600 | | Contracts value | £299,600 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ASTON UNIVERSITY | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B4 7ET | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Nechells | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | TLG31 Birmingham | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | FUSION PRACTICES | ## 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 - 72260000 - Software-related services ## Release History - 17 Apr 2026 at 08:31 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034976-2026 - 4 Mar 2026 at 15:52 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019627-2026 - 19 Nov 2025 at 05:29 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074997-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034976-2026 17th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019627-2026 4th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074997-2025 19th November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2 Suppliers are required to submit their tender response on our e-tendering portal ProContract. Suppliers must first register on the ProContract portal to enable access to the tender documentation. Please use the following URL https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?v=2 ## Notice URLs - http://www.aston.ac.uk - https://fusionpractices.com/ - https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierRegistration/Register - 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-05e3db. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e3db.json.