--- title: "Online Engagement Platform" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY" published: "2025-12-10" --- # Online Engagement Platform Buyer: WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0.json) ## Summary The West Midlands Combined Authority is currently in the planning stage of procuring an "Online Engagement Platform" to engage with local communities across the region. The procurement process aims to gather insights through a pre-market engagement process, inviting potential suppliers to complete a questionnaire by 9th January 2026. This initiative falls under the services category, specifically focusing on software programming and consultancy services. The procurement exercise is to be conducted in the West Midlands, specifically in the UKG3 region, with an estimated gross contract value of £168,000. The full procurement exercise is anticipated to commence in early 2026, following the development of a procurement strategy informed by the pre-market engagement. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in software solutions and consultancy services, particularly those that have experience with community engagement platforms. SMEs are notably encouraged to participate, reflecting the contract's suitability criteria. The project seeks to enhance community participation and governance, thus appealing to providers who can offer innovative technical solutions that support research, accessibility, and transparency. Businesses with expertise in creating platforms for resident-led decision-making and community collaboration are well-positioned to leverage this opportunity for growth and development. ## Notice The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is made up of 18 local councils, working together to make the West Midlands the best place to live, work and visit. Our priorities include homes, jobs, transport and growth for everyone. As an organisation, we're focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands. To achieve this, we need to work with communities to understand their lives, explore their aspirations for the future, and collaborate on potential solutions. When individuals have power over their personal circumstances, they can shape the places they live and spend time in. Those who actively participate in shaping their communities will feel a greater sense of belonging. An online engagement platform is a crucial mechanism for enabling us to build stronger, more inclusive, and more effective governance that truly meets the needs of our community. The right platform will allow us to increase research and accessibility, enhance transparency and trust, support resident-led decision-making, and foster community collaboration. We are seeking to gain a greater understanding of suppliers within the market, who would be interested in responding to the upcoming release of the specification of requirements. We plan to use the information gathered in this exercise to inform and help develop our procurement strategy before approaching the market for a full procurement exercise in early 2026. ### Planning Information To participate in this engagement process, please complete the accompanying questionnaire and return via the WMCA Proactis portal no later than 09/01/2026. WMCA may invite you to participate in a face-to-face meeting or Teams call to further discuss your response. If so, you will receive communication via the Proactis Portal. Please note, this is not a formal PQQ or expression of interest in a tender exercise. This Pre-Market Engagement is to be used purely by the WMCA to provide potential delivery partners with more information about WMCA’s plans for an online engagement platform. The WMCA will not be liable for costs incurred by an interested party participating in this exercise. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081424-2025 | | 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 | 10 Dec 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 26 Jan 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £140,000 | | 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 | WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B19 3SD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Newtown | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | TLG3 West Midlands | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services ## Release History - 10 Dec 2025 at 11:48 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081424-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081424-2025 10th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.wmca.org.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-05f2a0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a0.json.