---
title: "Soft Market Test - Education Systems"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "STOCKPORT METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-25"
---

# Soft Market Test - Education Systems

Buyer: STOCKPORT METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8.json)

## Summary

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process concerning the development and implementation of education systems. The council, located in Stockport, United Kingdom, is undertaking a soft market test, scheduled to end on 31st March 2026. The initiative is led by the council's Education Service, aiming to explore current capabilities, innovations, and cost models in the market for education case management systems as the existing Synergy system contract approaches its expiry in March 2028. The primary focus is on the educational software package industry category, with the procurement type classified under services. This preliminary market engagement notice, published on 25th February 2026, is part of the council's strategic planning to ensure continued effective support for children, families, schools, and the wider community.

This soft market testing exercise presents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in educational software and software development services. It is designed to engage suppliers early, allowing them to showcase their products, innovations, and delivery capabilities. As the council is examining alternative solutions to enhance their strategic objectives and service delivery, businesses that offer cutting-edge educational technology and cost-efficient service models are well-suited to benefit from this engagement. While this is not a competition call, participation offers businesses the chance to influence the council’s future specifications, forging potential partnerships with public authorities and contributing to significant community impact.

## Notice

Published via the CHEST Portal Ref DN806303 Stockport Council's Education Service has relied on the Synergy system for case management since September 2015. While Synergy has supported our core processes, the education landscape and technology have evolved considerably since its implementation. As our contract approaches expiry in March 2028, we want to ensure our systems continue to meet the needs of children, families, schools, and the wider community. We are therefore undertaking a soft market testing exercise to: * Understand the current capabilities, innovations, and cost models available in the market for education case management systems. * Assess whether alternative solutions could better support our strategic objectives, improve service delivery, and offer better value for money. * Inform the development of a robust specification for any future procurement, ensuring it reflects both our operational requirements and the latest market offerings. * Engage with suppliers early to gauge interest, gather feedback, and identify potential delivery partners who can help us achieve our ambitions. This exercise is not a call for competition, but an opportunity for the Council to gather intelligence and shape our approach to market engagement and procurement

### Planning Information

Soft Market Test, ending 31st March 2026

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016731-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 31 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £10 |
| 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 | STOCKPORT METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | STOCKPORT |
| Post town | Stockport |
| Postcode | SK1 3XE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD35 Greater Manchester South East |
| Local authority | Stockport |
| Electoral ward | Brinnington & Stockport Central |
| Westminster constituency | Stockport |
| Delivery location | TLD North West (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 48190000 - Educational software package
- 72212190 - Educational software development services

## Release History

- 25 Feb 2026 at 09:29 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016731-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016731-2026
  25th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-065ba8. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065ba8.json.