Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 18 Jul 2025, 12:30 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Strategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services

Official notice

Authority: HM Revenue & Customs (Central government)

4 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Research & Development (R&D) (73) Delivery: UK
Published estimate£3,595,000envelope for 4 lots · £4,314,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 22 Apr 2025awarded 5 Jun 2025
Awarded to Gartner UK Ltd, FORRESTER RESEARCH LIMITED4 awards
Contract term Varies by lotfirst lot 1 yr 6 mo from 1 Oct 2025 · see each lot

What is being bought4 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

To guarantee the efficient utilisation of technology, transform our digital and customer services, and fulfil public service commitments, His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) requires research subscription services.

This service will assist in setting strategies, managing projects, deploying new technologies, and ensuring regulatory compliance, amongst other things.

Additionally, an on-demand ad-hoc advisory service is necessary to translate industry-leading insights into actionable plans, across different business areas and topics.

The requirements have been split into 4 lots based on individual business area requirements with varying scope.

Please note, the Authority have determined this requirement to be VAT recoverable meaning the contract value will be exclusive of VAT. A value for 'Including VAT' has been included within each relevant section as required by the FTS system. Values provided are inclusive of the optional 12 month extension. Values are indicative maximums and provide no commitment of spend or usage.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT.

CPV: Research and development services and related consultancy services

Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure

4 lots · all with a published value (£3,595,000 together) · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1CDIO (Chief Digital and Information Officer)AwardedRenewal 1 yr 6 moSMEPublished value£2,300,000

To guarantee the efficient utilisation of technology, transform our digital and customer services, and fulfil public service commitments, HMRC requires research subscription services. This service will assist in setting strategies, managing projects, deploying new technologies, and ensuring regulatory compliance, amongst other things.

Additionally, an on-demand ad-hoc advisory service is necessary to translate industry-leading insights into actional plans, across different Business Areas and topics.

The research service for CDIO should cover the following aspects:

General requirements

  • Access to a research library providing independent, objective and expert re-search reports, tools, case studies to support HMRC achieving its objectives.
  • Access to relevant research including but not limited to, IT implementation, design, architecture, engineering, support management, AI data and reference architectures.
  • The research library must include as a minimum, available sessions within the overall categories of Digital Business Transformation/Strategy, Building Strong Teams and Generating Innovation/Value.
  • It is expected that the research material is regularly refreshed to support fast-moving areas such as AI or data.
  • Access to strategic business content for technology leaders, supporting them to become better business partners and enterprise leaders
  • Access to people who have done 'what we are doing' before in different con-texts and can advise on pitfalls/best practice when evaluating different approaches, methods, technologies or strategies.
  • Independent view of the market both from a technical perspective (what technologies are being used for what) and a business perspective (what approaches are working).
  • Reviews of papers from an independent but expert point of view, for accuracy and messaging.
  • Leadership content that is targeted at senior leaders to help transform HMRC.
  • Support software development lifecycles, insights and best practices for source control, branching, merging, and software development lifecycles.
  • Events/conferences access to ensure HMRC are aware of the evolving technologies and evolving IT challenges.
  • Networking opportunities and introduction to peer organisations and people to dive deeper into relevant experiences.
  • Access to peers across the domain to showcase HMRC to attract technology talent.

Ad-hoc advisory services

  • Ad-hoc advisory service to help develop documentation supporting strategic tasks and key deliverables, relating to business change or transformation. Examples include strategy development, financial planning, roadmap development, e.g., transformation, AI etc., as well as specialist technology areas.

Licences / subscriptions required:

  • 40 subscriptions to access research libraries, research and tools based on industry best practice, access to analyst briefings, and networking opportunities.
  • 8 subscriptions to access research libraries, research and tools based on industry best practice, access to analysts, alignment to subject matter experts.  Peer-connect and facilitated networking.
  • 2 subscriptions providing a guided service to access research libraries, re-search and tools based on industry best practice, access to analysts, alignment to subject matter experts. Dedicated executive support with specific domain knowledge.  Peer-connect and facilitated networking.
  • 1 subscription providing a guided service to access research libraries, re-search and tools based on industry best practice, access to analysts, alignment to subject matter experts. Dedicated executive support with specific domain knowledge.  Peer-connect and facilitated networking. Customised engagement at CIO level.
  • 1 subscription to provide expert advice for Software Engineers.
Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 (1 yr 6 mo) · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensionsValue: £2,300,000 exc. VAT · £2,760,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Optional 12 month extension.
Lot #2CSG (Customer Services Group) and ETG (Enterprise Transformation Group)AwardedRenewal 1 yr 9 moSMEPublished value£740,000

CSG and ETG requires access to world class research and business insights on a range of matters related to optimising our Customer Service provision.

The Directors of CSG and ETG are looking for a range of support services which includes but not limited to:

  • Strategy overall/strategic roadmaps
  • Multichannel strategy/Shift to digital
  • Customer centric ways of working overall
  • Architecture
  • Service capabilities
  • End-to-end digital services and digital service/product management
  • End-to-end customer journey management
  • Customer experience overall
  • Innovation and AI
  • End-to-end means someone getting a letter or being on Google all the way through to compliance and solicitors
  • Metrix and balanced scorecards
  • Multichannel analytics
  • Next best action and engagement strategies including air traffic control, nudges, prompts
  • Change delivery models
  • Portfolio management
  • Customer service operating models in context of customer service and the full organisation, e.g. digital service target operating model
  • Organisation design
  • People capability and skills/adopting digital skills and ways of learning
  • Performance measurement and best practice
  • Expert business guidance on tax experts
  • Business delivery and customer service delivery guidance.

In summary, we are seeking an offer that joins up service and modern IT i.e. end-to-end product management and delivery of digital channel and app, that enables understanding of marketing propositions and how to put together a service proposition.

Licences / subscriptions required:

  • 5 subscriptions to access research libraires, research and tools based on industry best practice, access to analysts, alignment to subject matter experts.  Peer-connect and facilitated networking.
  • 4 subscriptions providing a guided service to access research libraries, re-search and tools based on industry best practice, access to analysts, alignment to subject matter experts. Dedicated executive support with specific domain knowledge.  Peer-connect and facilitated networking.
Contract period: 1 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 (1 yr 9 mo) · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensionsValue: £740,000 exc. VAT · £888,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: 12 month optional extension
Lot #3Internal AuditAwardedRenewal 1 yr 9 moSMEPublished value£105,000

To support the IA unit's delivery of our 2025-28 internal audit strategy, alongside supporting our business-as-usual audit work, we require research subscription and advisory services. The service will provide access to subject matter experts to support the senior leadership team in setting and driving forward our strategy, as well as the provision of a wide range of research materials and audit toolkits to assist our team in delivering our audit plans.

Insights and Expert Advice (strategic) - access to:

  • Expert support, guidance, and advice for the Chief Audit Executive to support strategy development, decision making and planning.
  • IA function benchmarking and other assessment tools (e.g. skills and capabilities) and guides to measure / compare performance.
  • Research and reports on, but not limited to audit strategy development, emerging global and sector risks, emerging trends / innovation in the IA profession, and broader strategic audit leadership support
  • Webinars and conferences on emerging trends relevant to audit
  • Market intelligence on proposed use of audit management / data analytics technology
  • Networking Opportunities with peers of similar backgrounds and experiences to share wins, lessons learned and best-practice insights.

Data and Analytics Capabilities - access to:

  • Data analytics maturity assessments, case studies, expert support, use cases.

Practical resources, tools and frameworks - access to:

  • Insights, research, best practice, audit resources, practical tools and frame-works to expand risk, control and business knowledge and inform audit scoping, facilitating more efficient ways of working and stronger performance.
  • Support on technical aspects on specific audits

Provision of training & information - access to:

  • Learning and development sessions for the wider team (soft and profession-al)

License/Subscription

  • 1 collective subscription that provides access for the internal audit senior executive and select team members to research and Insight, peer engagement, insights and research, learning events, executive networking opportunities, advisory support, best practices, benchmarking and other diagnostic tools.
Contract period: 1 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 (1 yr 9 mo) · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensionsValue: £105,000 exc. VAT · £126,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: 12 month optional extension
Lot #4HRAwardedRenewal 1 yr 6 moSMEPublished value£450,000

HR are looking to gain access to industry best practice and insight to enable the support of HMRC to meet its challenging business objectives through effective use of our people.

License holders require access to material covering (but not limited to) the following topics:

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Employee Experience
  • Future of Work
  • Organisation Design
  • Leadership
  • Culture
  • HR functional management
  • Leadership of change
  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing
  • HR strategy
  • HR technology
  • Recruitment
  • Talent Development
  • Talent management and Development
  • Learning and Development
  • Future HR trends
  • Networking opportunities and introduction to peer organisations and people to dive deeper into relevant experiences
  • Webinars and conferences relevant to HR

We are looking for a service which both advises on best practice and supports us in applying this effectively in HMRC.

Licence / Subscriptions required:

  • 4 subscriptions to access HR research and best practice, benchmarks and case studies, tools based on industry best practice, online and virtual learning, access to expert analysts and live events.
  • 6 subscriptions to access HR research and best practice, benchmarks and case studies, tools based on industry best practice and online and virtual learning.
Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 (1 yr 6 mo) · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensionsValue: £450,000 exc. VAT · £540,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: 12 month optional extension

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored · same split on all 4 lots
Quality: 60%Price: 30%Social value: 10%
Published sub-criteria (3)
  • Technical Ability Quality Questions: 60%
  • Cost: 30%
  • Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Technical Ability Quality Questions
  • Social Value
  • Cost
Lot distribution rule: There are no restrictions on the number of lots a supplier can bid for or be awarded. Each lot will result in an individual contract.
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open 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
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Jan 2027
First published
18 Jul 2025, 12:30 BST
Last source update
18 Jul 2025, 12:30 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 16 Jun 2025
Authority reference
SR2272988425
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-010887
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Research and development services and related consultancy services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e90e Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: SAP Ariba · Who buys & how to bid on SAP Ariba
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free buyer-specific invitations
Submission deadline
22 Apr 2025, 10:00 BST
Clarification deadline
7 Apr 2025, 10:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

This procurement will be conducted by way of an eSourcing event using HMRC's SAP Ariba eSourcing Portal. Please ensure you are registered with the eSourcing Portal to gain access to the procurement documentation which will contain full details of the requirement.

If you are not already registered, the registration link is: hmrc.sourcing-eu.ariba.com/ad/selfRegistration ↗

As part of the registration process you will receive a system generated email asking you to activate your SAP Ariba supplier account by verifying your email address. Once you have completed the activation process you will receive a further email by return confirming the 'registration process is now complete' and providing you with 'your organisation's account ID' number. If an email response from HMRC is not received within one working day of your request, please re-contact [email protected] (after first checking your spam in-box) notifying non-receipt and confirming when your registration request was first made.

Once you have obtained 'your organization's account ID' number, please email [email protected] and copy in [email protected] with your:

Contract title and Reference

Your organisation's HMRC SAP Ariba account ID

Your organisation name

Your name

Your email address

Your telephone number.

Once you have complied with the foregoing you will receive an e-mail confirming access to the procurement event once it is built. Additionally, should the Authority have any questions for interested bidders prior to the event being published (in terms of market engagement and requirement development), the above provided contact details will be used.

Further information about HMRC's procurement tool SAP Ariba, a Suppliers Guide and general information about supplying to HMRC is available on the HMRC website: www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/supplying.htm ↗

If you have already registered on SAP Ariba then you may also need to re-register on HMRC's SAP Ariba in order to be added to the event.

Timeline

3 Mar 2025 → 1 Oct 2025 · 10 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    3 Mar 2025, 15:31 GMT
  2. Tender notice published
    24 Mar 2025, 12:16 GMT
  3. Next notice expected
    24 Mar 2025, 23:59 GMT
  4. Clarification questions by
    7 Apr 2025, 10:00 BST
  5. Submission deadline
    22 Apr 2025, 10:00 BST
  6. Assessment summaries sent
    6 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST
  7. Award decision expected by
    16 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
  8. Standstill ends
    17 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
  9. Latest notice published
    18 Jul 2025, 12:30 BST
  10. Contract starts381 days ago
    1 Oct 2025, 00:00 BST

Notice history

7 events · 1 release on Find a Tender · since 3 Mar 2025
  1. Planned procurement notice published
    3 Mar 2025, 15:31 GMT
    UK3
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    21 Mar 2025, 12:39 GMT
    UK2
  3. Tender notice published
    24 Mar 2025, 12:16 GMT
    UK4
  4. Tender notice published
    24 Mar 2025, 15:05 GMT
    UK4
  5. Contract award notice published
    6 Jun 2025, 11:41 BST
    UK6
  6. Contract signature expected
    30 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  7. Contract details notice published
    18 Jul 2025, 12:30 BST
    UK7
Published amendments (1)

The event duration has been updated in line with UK Bank Holidays. The deadline has been amended from 18th April to Tuesday 22nd April 10:00am.

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 4
Awarded value £3,551,8184 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 11
Contracts signed 4latest 9 Jul 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · CDIO (Chief Digital and Information Officer)1 award
Gartner UK LtdStrategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 1 - CDIO (Chief Digital and Information Officer)1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028Extensions: Optional 12 month extension.£2,300,7505 Jun 2025Awarded
Lot 2 · CSG (Customer Services Group) and ETG (Enterprise Transformation Group)1 award
FORRESTER RESEARCH LIMITEDStrategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 2: CSG (Customer Services Group) and ETG (Enterprise Transformation Group) Description1 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028Extensions: Optional 12 month extension.£727,1935 Jun 2025Awarded
Lot 3 · Internal Audit1 award
Gartner UK LtdStrategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 3 - Internal Audit1 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028Extensions: Optional 12 month extension.£105,8755 Jun 2025Awarded
Lot 4 · HR1 award
Gartner UK LtdStrategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 4 - HR1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028Extensions: Optional 12 month extension.£418,0005 Jun 2025Awarded

Contracts

  • Strategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 1 - CDIO (Chief Digital and Information Officer) · Gartner UK Ltd

    Signed
    9 Jul 2025
    Value
    £2,300,750
    Period
    1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional 12 month extension option for continuation of services at the discretion of the Authority

    No agreed KPIs: Below £5m - not required

  • Strategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 4 - HR · Gartner UK Ltd

    Signed
    9 Jul 2025
    Value
    £418,000
    Period
    1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional 12 month extension option for continuation of services at the discretion of the Authority

    No agreed KPIs: Below £5m - not required

  • Strategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 2: CSG (Customer Services Group) and ETG (Enterprise Transformation Group) Description · FORRESTER RESEARCH LIMITED

    Signed
    30 Jun 2025
    Value
    £727,193
    Period
    1 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional 12 month extension option for continuation of services at the discretion of the Authority

    No agreed KPIs: Below £5m - not required

  • Strategic License Subscriptions and Advisory Services. Lot 3 - Internal Audit · Gartner UK Ltd

    Signed
    1 Jan 2025
    Value
    £105,875
    Period
    1 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional 12 month extension option for continuation of services at the discretion of the Authority

    No agreed KPIs: Below £5m - not required

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · CDIO (Chief Digital and Information Officer)4final-stage tenders00—
2 · CSG (Customer Services Group) and ETG (Enterprise Transformation Group)3final-stage tenders00—
3 · Internal Audit2final-stage tenders00—
4 · HR2final-stage tenders00—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

HM Revenue & Customs

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PVMW-8599-JZNJ 100 Parliament Street, London, London, SW1A 2BQContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

2 commercial parties on the notice
  • FORRESTER RESEARCH LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 03400112GB-PPON: PPYD-3753-WQPR 1 Blossom Yard, London, London, E1 6RSContact email
  • GARTNER U.K. LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 02266016GB-PPON: PXQQ-2141-PWDM Tamesis, Egham, South East, TW20 9AHContact email

Official documents & specifications (12)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Show 4 more notices
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
  • Planned procurement notice planningPlanned procurement noticeUK3Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender