---
title: "Blackboard Ally - Accessibility Tooling for LMS"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-077831"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-077831"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077831.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077831.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "University of Portsmouth"
published: "2026-09-23"
---

# Blackboard Ally - Accessibility Tooling for LMS

Buyer: University of Portsmouth  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-077831

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-077831)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077831.json)

## Summary

The University of Portsmouth requires continued access to Blackboard Ally, a proprietary accessibility tool integrated with its learning management system. The service supports digital accessibility across the university’s learning environment and helps it meet accessibility obligations while avoiding disruption to teaching and learning. This is a software-related service, rather than a purchase of general-purpose software: the requirement is for continued access to the named solution. The service supports the University’s learning environment across locations in England, with the buying organisation based in Portsmouth.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to TET Limited. The University used a direct award under the NHS SBS Digital Workplace Solutions 2 framework, citing technical reasons: it considered there was no viable alternative that could meet its requirements without significant disruption, following market analysis. The award was made on 20 September 2026. The contract is active and has a stated three-year term. Its value is £121,072.13. The single lot was assessed on price, and one bid was recorded. The process was conducted without a prior call for competition.

For suppliers assessing this buyer’s future accessibility-tooling requirement, the award indicates demand for continuity of a proprietary product already integrated with the University’s learning management system, rather than a new or standalone accessibility platform. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate that its solution can support digital accessibility across the learning environment, meet the University’s accessibility obligations and integrate with its existing LMS without significant disruption to teaching and learning. The buyer justified selecting the incumbent route on technical grounds after market analysis, so evidence of technical compatibility and a viable transition or continuity approach would be central to competing if the requirement returns. The award also shows that the University has used a framework call-off route and considered price in its evaluation.

## Notice

The University requires continued access to Blackboard Ally to support digital accessibility across the learning environment. The new contract is to ensure continuity of service and compliance with accessibility obligations. The new contract provides a stable 3-year term aligned to the University's requirements. Blackboard Ally is a proprietary accessibility solution integrated into the University's LMS. This was undertaken via a Direct Award was completed under the NHS SBS Digital Workplace Solutions 2 Framework (SBS10510), in accordance with the framework's permitted call-off procedures.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The University requires continued access to Blackboard Ally to support digital accessibility across the learning environment.

### Procurement Information

There is no viable alternative that meets the requirements without significant disruption to teaching and learning. This was confirmed through market analysis before this contract award was initiated.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089941-2026 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £121,072 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | University of Portsmouth |
| Locality | PORTSMOUTH |
| Postcode area | Portsmouth |
| Postcode | PO1 2UP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ31 Portsmouth |
| Local authority | Portsmouth |
| Electoral ward | St Thomas |
| Westminster constituency | Portsmouth South |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | TET Limited |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 72260000 - Software-related services

## Release History

- 23 Sep 2026 at 09:42 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089941-2026

## Notice URLs

- https://www.port.ac.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-077831. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077831.json.