---
title: "Provision of Open Source Tools"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-077b13"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-077b13"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077b13.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077b13.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire"
published: "2026-09-28"
---

# Provision of Open Source Tools

Buyer: The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-077b13

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077b13.json)

## Summary

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire intends to procure open-source tools for Northamptonshire Police. The requirement is for software and related IT services, with investigation services also indicated by the work classifications. The authority plans to engage suppliers to understand available products and tools, then use that input to refine its requirements and specification before any formal tender. Delivery is associated with Northamptonshire, including the areas around Northampton and Wellingborough. The planned purchase combines goods and services, with a focus on tools that support police activity. This is an early-stage market consultation, rather than an invitation to submit a tender.

The process is at planning stage: the buyer has announced an intention to procure, but has not issued a tender invitation. It expects to hold market-engagement meetings in November 2026 and asks interested suppliers to register their interest by 30 October 2026. This is a request to participate in pre-market discussions, not a deadline for a bid. The planned contract period is 11 January 2027 to 10 January 2029. The procurement is divided into one lot and is expected to be below the applicable threshold. The buyer has not yet set out a procurement method, award procedure or evaluation basis; its stated purpose for engagement is to refine the eventual specification and requirements.

This consultation is suited to suppliers of open-source software and related IT services, including firms with experience advising on, developing, supplying or supporting tools used in investigative policing. Suppliers with products that can address police investigation needs, and those able to explain their capabilities and practical fit to the force, can help shape the eventual requirements through the planned engagement. The authority is seeking market understanding before fixing its specification, so relevant product expertise and a clear account of available tools are useful at this stage. Small and medium-sized businesses are identified as suitable for the single lot. The planned two-year service period indicates a requirement for suppliers able to support delivery over an extended engagement, although detailed technical, accreditation and capacity requirements have yet to be defined.

## Notice

Provision of Open Source Tools for Northamptonshire Police. The Authority is hoping to engage with the Market to better understand the products/tools available to refine our specification and requirements before any formal tender process.

### Planning Information

Provision of Open Source Tools for Northamptonshire Police. The Authority is hoping to engage with the Market to better understand the products/tools available to refine our requirements and specification prior to any formal tender.
Engagement meetings to be held in November 2026. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is 30th October 2026. 
If you are interested in attending the Pre-Market Engagement meetings, please complete the requirements section on Atamis and express an interest - https://northamptonshire-opfcc.my.site.com/s/Welcome
If you have any problems viewing this opportunity or registering your interest, please email Commercial at Commercial@northants.police.uk

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091223-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 11 Jan 2027 - 10 Jan 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| 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 | The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire |
| Locality | WELLINGBOROUGH |
| Postcode area | Northampton |
| Postcode | NN8 6GS |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire |
| ITL 3 | TLF25 North Northamptonshire |
| Local authority | North Northamptonshire |
| Electoral ward | Brickhill & Queensway |
| Westminster constituency | Wellingborough and Rushden |
| Delivery location | TLF24 West Northamptonshire, TLF25 North Northamptonshire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79720000 - Investigation services

## Release History

- 28 Sep 2026 at 07:52 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091223-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091223-2026
  28th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://northamptonshire-opfcc.my.site.com/s/Welcome
- 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-077b13. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-077b13.json.