Official UK procurement notice
Education Systems Portfolio · UK public procurement notice
Authority: Norfolk County Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionNorfolk County Council is awarding a contract to purchase a software system that covers the end-to-end processes in its Children's Services Department. This contract also includes support and maintenance for the system and professional services for implementation and ongoing requirements.
On 19 November 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness made a written statement [UIN HCWS1071] saying that three proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk had been received. The Minister announced a consultation exercise, which ended on 11 January 2026. The Minister stated that "once the consultations have concluded, the Government will assess the proposals against the criteria in the invitation and decide, subject to parliamentary approval, which, if any, proposals are to be implemented, with or without modification". A "minded to" decision has been made for 3 unitary councils in Norfolk.
On 4 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Local Government made a written statement [UIN HCWS1128] stating that the government intends to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk as soon as possible, and that it is minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections in May 2028.
Should these processes lead to unitary local government in Norfolk and/or to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk (i) the contract may be transferred, assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to the council, or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor and/or to any Mayoral Strategic Authority; and/or (ii) the council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
In the event of a change from two-tier to unitary local government in Norfolk and/or the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk it may be necessary to modify this contract to the extent necessary to permit its continued satisfactory performance.
- How the procedure runs: The Council will be using the Competitive Flexible Procedure as defined in the Procurement Act 2023. The process will be as follows: - 1. Bidders will complete the Invitation to Initial Tender (including draft pricing) and submit in accordance with the timelines at section 5 of this Invitation to Initial Tender. 2. If there are 4 bidders or less who pass Form B(Grounds for Exclusion) , C (Compliance with minimum standards) and D ( Willingness and ability to comply with contractual requirements) of the Invitation to Initial Tender then those bidders will be invited to participate in dialogue and submit a final tender. 3. If there are more than 4 bidders who pass Form B, C and D, then the Council will evaluate the responses to Form F (not including pricing) and will take through the top 4 scored bids. The Initial Tenders will be scored in accordance with the process set out in this Invitation to Initial Tender. 4. During dialogue, bidders will be able to refine their bid (including pricing) and the Council reserves the right to amend the specification, scenarios for demo, pricing spreadsheet and terms and conditions before requesting Final Tenders. 5. At the close of dialogue, bidders will be issued with the Invitation to Final Tender (including the final specification, scenarios for demo, pricing spreadsheet ( and define sub-weightings) and terms and conditions). 6. As part of the evaluation of the final tender, bidders will be required to demonstrate their system in accordance with the scenarios issued with the Invitation to Final Tender. 7. Bidders should note that the Council may request a further version of the pricing list and/or raise clarifications on bidders quality responses before dialogue. This procurement has not been divided into lots as If more than one system is purchased this will mean multiple integrations, multiple support and maintenance contracts and thus costly to the Council to manage. It also increases the risk that the Council will not have the correct and whole overview of the child.
- No preliminary market engagement: A market engagement notice has been published ref 2025/S 000-009212 and OCID reference ocds-h6vhtk-04ecbb.
CPV: IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Software package and information systems
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£4,000,000
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- Simple description: Quality is 70% and price is 30%. Price will be for implementation, support and maintenance and integrations. Evaluation will be for the first 7 years of the contract. Price maybe sub-weighted following dialogue if it is not possible to fix cost. The quality criteria are 1. Security ( pass/fail) 2. Non functional requirements ( pass/fail) 3. Product (3%) 4. Implementation (4%) 5. Training (1%) 6. Common Functionality (5%) 7. Case management ( 4%) 8.System integration and import/export and extraction of data (4%) 9. Creating and managing cohorts (2%) 10.Early years, childhood and family service (3%) 11.Place planning, Admissions, Transfers, Free school meals and fair access, Home to school transport (3%) 12. SEND planning and provision (5%) 13. Education inclusion (3%) 14. Post 16 (1%) 15. Education funding (2%). 16. Reporting - technical architecture ( 2%) 17. Reporting and analytics (2%) 18. Support (2%) 19. Portals (5%) 20. Configuration (3%) 21 Social Value (1%).
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 17 Mar 2025, 15:03 GMT
- Last source update
- 22 Apr 2026, 11:09 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 10 Nov 2025
- Authority reference
NCCT- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-009707- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04edf9Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
As per the terms and conditions issued with this procurement
- How it runs
The Council will be using the Competitive Flexible Procedure as defined in the Procurement Act 2023. The process will be as follows: -
- Bidders will complete the Invitation to Initial Tender (including draft pricing) and submit in accordance with the timelines at section 5 of this Invitation to Initial Tender.
- If there are 4 bidders or less who pass Form B(Grounds for Exclusion) , C (Compliance with minimum standards) and D ( Willingness and ability to comply with contractual requirements) of the Invitation to Initial Tender then those bidders will be invited to participate in dialogue and submit a final tender.
- If there are more than 4 bidders who pass Form B, C and D, then the Council will evaluate the responses to Form F (not including pricing) and will take through the top 4 scored bids. The Initial Tenders will be scored in accordance with the process set out in this Invitation to Initial Tender.
- During dialogue, bidders will be able to refine their bid (including pricing) and the Council reserves the right to amend the specification, scenarios for demo, pricing spreadsheet and terms and conditions before requesting Final Tenders.
- At the close of dialogue, bidders will be issued with the Invitation to Final Tender (including the final specification, scenarios for demo, pricing spreadsheet ( and define sub-weightings) and terms and conditions).
- As part of the evaluation of the final tender, bidders will be required to demonstrate their system in accordance with the scenarios issued with the Invitation to Final Tender.
- Bidders should note that the Council may request a further version of the pricing list and/or raise clarifications on bidders quality responses before dialogue.
This procurement has not been divided into lots as If more than one system is purchased this will mean multiple integrations, multiple support and maintenance contracts and thus costly to the Council to manage. It also increases the risk that the Council will not have the correct and whole overview of the child.
- Risks
Norfolk County Council has joined the government's Devolution Priority Programme.
This process has the potential to lead to the establishment of a county combined authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. A consultation is under way.
Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. One of these changes could happen without the other. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 28 Apr 2025, 15:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 14 Apr 2025, 15:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Tende… ↗. This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council`s e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗. Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the `tenders` section and `express an interest` to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +44 8442728810 or e-mailing [email protected].
Timeline
17 Mar 2025 → 22 Apr 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published17 Mar 2025, 15:03 GMT
- Clarification questions by14 Apr 2025, 15:00 BST
- Submission deadline28 Apr 2025, 15:00 BST
- Award decision expected by349 days ago10 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts340 days ago20 Nov 2025
- Assessment summaries sent264 days ago4 Feb 2026
- Standstill ends254 days ago13 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Latest notice published186 days ago22 Apr 2026, 11:09 BST
Notice history
6 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 17 Mar 2025- Tender notice published17 Mar 2025, 15:03 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published17 Mar 2025, 16:58 GMTUK4
- Contract award notice published4 Feb 2026, 11:15 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete4 Feb 2026, 11:15 GMT
- Contract signature expected19 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published22 Apr 2026, 11:09 BSTUK7
Published amendments (1)
Notice was issued via in-tend and did not take through all information. The following changes have been made:- 1. Tender documents added 2. Contract extensions added 3. Rationale for value 4. Options added 5. Description of cost 6. Amended description of risks to contract performance
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-03: 1 release · 17 Mar 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access UK Ltd20 Feb 2026 – 30 Aug 2033 · up to 31 Aug 2043Extensions: The contract can be extended at the discretion of the Council by 5 years plus an additional 5 years. The 7 year initial term is from go live which is estimated to be August 2026 · Options: The council will have the right to purchase (1) additional licenses if usage or numbers of users increase (2) additional support hours and professional services if required to maximise the return on investment for the Council and to maintain or improve the holistic view of the child and support efficient access to services (3) additional modules and additional functionality to maximise the return on investment for the Council and to maintain or improve the holistic view of the child and support efficient access to services (5) Additional training to ensure maximum and efficient use of the system. Please note that both Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have approved a devolution deal which is expected to lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. Subject to the government laying a Statutory Instrument and to its approval by Parliament to formally establish the new combined authority, the first Mayoral election is expected to be in 2028. Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. One of these changes could happen without the other. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries. | £2,880,721 | 4 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · Access UK Ltd
- Signed
- 2 Apr 2026
- Value
- £2,880,721
- Period
- 2 Apr 2026 – 1 Apr 2033 · up to 2 Apr 2043 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The Council as its discretion has the right to extend by 5 years plus 5 years.
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. The council will have the right to purchase (1) additional licenses if usage or numbers of users increase (2) additional support hours and professional services if required to maximise the return on investment for the Council and to maintain or improve the holistic view of the child and support efficient access to services (3) additional modules and additional functionality to maximise the return on investment for the Council and to maintain or improve the holistic view of the child and support efficient access to services (4) Additional training to ensure maximum and efficient use of the system.
No agreed KPIs: Under £5 million
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2final-stage tenders · 3 at stage one | 0 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Access UK LimitedAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Clarification documents will be issued via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkc
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender