---
title: "Direct Award - Software renewal for Core Finance System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH"
published: "2026-06-16"
---

# Direct Award - Software renewal for Core Finance System

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2

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## Summary

The University of Plymouth, acting as the buying organisation, has recently progressed through the award stage of a direct procurement process, initiating a contract for the renewal of its Core Finance System software. The industry category involved is software packages and information systems, with the specific procurement concerning the Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution. The core system is imperative for the University's financial management needs. Located in Plymouth, Devon, the University has chosen a direct award method due to the unique intellectual property rights held by the supplier, Unit4 Business Software Limited. This decision was formalised with a contract period stretching from 1st July 2026 to 30th June 2031, ensuring continuity in their financial operations without technical or operational interruptions. Key documentation was published on 17th June 2026, with the finalised contract signature expected by 29th June 2026.

This procurement process offers significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in software development and maintenance, particularly those capable of providing bespoke solutions or extensions to existing software systems. Companies like Unit4 Business Software Limited, which hold exclusive technical capabilities or intellectual property rights, are ideally suited to compete in this market due to the critical nature of integrating software systems that align seamlessly with existing infrastructures. The tender's requirements are best matched by suppliers who can ensure minimal disruption and high compatibility with pre-existing systems, further showcasing how specialised technological capabilities can secure substantial contracts in the public sector.

## Notice

The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules is used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of their finances and it is considered business-critical. The below justifications set out in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 apply to this Direct Award; (5) 'Single suppliers' due to the supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods/services. And; (7) 'Additional or repeat goods, services or works' because the contract concerns the supply of goods/services by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods/services in circumstances where-- (a) a change in supplier would result in the University receiving goods/services or that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods/services; and (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules provide a full suite of financial management functions that enables budget management, expenses, source to contract, sales to cash, general ledger reporting and commitment accounting. The contract will also provide support and maintenance of the solution.

### Procurement Information

This Transparency Notice (UK5) sets out the University of Plymouth's intention to award a contract to Unit4 Business Software Limited for the provision of the University's core finance system. The Supplier 'Unit4 Business Software Limited (Co No 01737985) whose registered office address is C/O CSC CLS (UK) Limited, 5 Churchill Place, 10th Floor, London, United Kingdom, E14 5HU'; provides the core finance system. The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules is used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of their finances and it is considered business-critical. For these reasons, the University of Plymouth considers the Direct Award justification(s) permissible, under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023. More specifically, sub-section 41 (1) (a) states that "..if a direct award justification applies, a contracting authority may award a public contract directly, to a supplier that is not an excluded supplier".

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056859-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,486,500 |
| 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 | UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH |
| Locality | PLYMOUTH, DEVON |
| Post town | Plymouth |
| Postcode | PL4 8AA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK41 Plymouth |
| Local authority | Plymouth |
| Electoral ward | Drake |
| Westminster constituency | Plymouth Sutton and Devonport |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | UNIT4 BUSINESS SOFTWARE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems

### Codes

- 48000000 - Software package and information systems

## Release History

- 16 Jun 2026 at 23:02 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056859-2026
- 16 Jun 2026 at 10:45 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056559-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056859-2026
  16th June 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056559-2026
  16th June 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/about-us/university-structure/service-areas/procurement

## 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-06b5c2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06b5c2.json.