---
title: "Firmstep Specialist Consultancy Support"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-061451"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-061451"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061451.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061451.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-02"
---

# Firmstep Specialist Consultancy Support

Buyer: WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-061451

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-061451)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061451.json)

## Summary

Watford Borough Council has concluded a procurement process titled "Firmstep Specialist Consultancy Support," aimed at the supply and design of bespoke solutions integral to the Council's operations. This procurement, classified under the industry category of software and consultancy services, was conducted through a direct award due to technical reasons pertaining to the existing system's unique requirements. The procurement process was completed on 2nd February 2026, and the contract is set to commence on 15th February 2026, lasting until 2nd February 2027. The procurement method chosen was a direct award to Algorythm Ltd, as competition was deemed impracticable. The solutions are designed specifically for the Council, located in Watford, UK, with a focus on enhancing their Garden Waste service.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in custom software solutions and consultancy services. Companies with established expertise in software integrations and experience in handling large-scale data and system architecture would be well-suited to such contracts. It highlights the potential for growth by securing contracts that involve in-depth system knowledge and ongoing support. As the direct award suggests expertise and an existing relationship with the buying organisation, similar businesses aiming to enter this market can benefit from developing niche expertise, ensuring they understand and can support intricate systems tailored to meet specific organisational requirements.

## Notice

The supply and design of a set of bespoke solutions that are integral to the Council's operations. The solutions have been tailored specifically to the Council's requirements and are not off-the-shelf products. They are custom integrations with our existing systems and data. These enhancements are not transferable without significant effort and resource. The services are especially applicable to our Garden Waste service. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1011097277

### Procurement Information

Competition is not reasonably practicable for technical reasons because the service requirement is intrinsically linked to an existing system whose design, architecture, and operational dependencies are uniquely understood by the Algorythm Ltd, incumbent supplier. The incumbent supplier, Algorythm possesses detailed and proprietary knowledge derived from original system design, configuration, and ongoing development and support. This knowledge is embedded within the solution and has not been artificially created for the purpose of restricting competition. No alternative supplier could assume responsibility without first undertaking extensive reverse engineering and knowledge acquisition activities. Transferring support or further development to a new supplier would require significant reverse engineering, complex knowledge transfer, and redevelopment effort. These activities would introduce material and disproportionate risks, including service disruption, loss of system stability, and delays to the delivery of critical services. Running a competitive procurement under these conditions would not be proportionate to the nature and value of the requirement. The additional cost, time, and operational risk associated with transitioning to an alternative supplier would outweigh any potential benefits of competition. A direct award to the incumbent supplier represents the most effective means of securing value for money, ensuring continuity of service, and safeguarding the delivery of services that are critical to the public interest. A direct award mitigates avoidable operational and delivery risks by maintaining system stability and continuity of service.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009000-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 2 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 15 Feb 2026 - 2 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £31,474 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | WATFORD |
| Post town | Watford |
| Postcode | WD17 3EX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLH27 South West Hertfordshire |
| Local authority | Watford |
| Electoral ward | Park |
| Westminster constituency | Watford |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ALGORYTHM |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
- 72268000 - Software supply services

## Release History

- 2 Feb 2026 at 14:06 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009000-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009000-2026
  2nd February 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1011097277
- 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-061451. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-061451.json.