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AwardedFind a Tender · award

Provision of Payment Solution Services

Buyer: University of Keele →

BuyerUniversity of Keele
StatusAwarded
DeadlineNot published
ValueValue not published
Published26 May 2026

What is being bought

Following the publication of a Transparency Notice on 13 April 2026, and a Contract Award Notice on 14 April 2026, University of Keele is publishing this Contract Details Notice to announce, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 53 of the Procurement Act 2023, that it has awarded a contract to Flywire Payments Limited for the provision of an integrated payment solution platform, including student payment processing, Tribal SITS integration, outgoing payables, and optional services such as Collections Management, Deposits, and other modules as defined in the contract. This direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. The services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's Tribal SITS student records system. The University is scheduled to double-upgrade to Tribal SITS V11.0 in May 2026, after which legacy WPM SITS payment pathways will no longer be supported. Flywire has a proven integration with Tribal SITS used by over 20 universities, significantly reducing manual reconciliation. Appointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in: 1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including new integrations and staff retraining); and 2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of time-critical payment processing services, which would disrupt student enrolment and the University's cash flow. The award of this contract to Flywire represents the only viable route to secure the required services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK Universities, including the University of Kent (Transparency Notice 2026/S 000-017974).

Lot details

Lot 1

No lot description published.

Statuscomplete

Comparable-procurement analytics

No usable CPV category has been published, so a comparable market set cannot yet be built.

Procurement strategy & market signals

Framework agreementNot published
Dynamic purchasing systemNot published
Competitive procurementNot published
Recurring requirementNot published
Procurement method rationaleFollowing the publication of a Transparency Notice on 13 April 2026, and a Contract Award Notice on 14 April 2026, University of Keele is publishing this Contract Details Notice to announce, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 53 of the Procurement Act 2023, that it has awarded a contract to Flywire Payments Limited for the provision of an integrated payment solution platform, including student payment processing, Tribal SITS integration, outgoing payables, and optional services such as Collections Management, Deposits, and other modules as defined in the contract. This direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. The services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's Tribal SITS student records system. The University is scheduled to double-upgrade to Tribal SITS V11.0 in May 2026, after which legacy WPM SITS payment pathways will no longer be supported. Flywire has a proven integration with Tribal SITS used by over 20 universities, significantly reducing manual reconciliation. Appointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in: 1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including new integrations and staff retraining); and 2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of time-critical payment processing services, which would disrupt student enrolment and the University's cash flow. The award of this contract to Flywire represents the only viable route to secure the required services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK Universities, including the University of Kent (Transparency Notice 2026/S 000-017974).
Rationale classificationssingleSuppliersTechnicalReasons
Special regimeNot published
Covered byNot published
Submission policyNot published
Selection criteriaNot published
Risk detailsNot published

Planning & early market engagement

BudgetNot published
No-engagement rationaleNot published
Planning documents0
Planning milestones0

No planning milestones published.

Related procurements

No linked framework, prior procurement or reprocurement published.

Awards

Contracts

Provision of Payment Solution Services

Statusactive
Value£460,000

Documents & submission route

  • Not published

Source data inventory

Diagnostic view. “Not published” means this current release does not provide a value.

OCIDocds-h6vhtk-06816d
Latest release ID049246-2026
Latest release timestampTue May 26 2026 16:42:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Sourcefind-a-tender
Official notice URLNot published
Tender statuscomplete
Procurement methoddirect
Procurement method detailsDirect award
Main procurement categoryNot published
Above thresholdNot published
Legal basis2023/54
Tender period: startNot published
Tender period: endNot published
Expression of interest deadlineNot published
Enquiry deadlineNot published
Award period: startNot published
Award period: endNot published
Submission method detailsNot published
Submission languagesNot published
Electronic catalogue policyNot published
Total tender valueNot published
Tender lots in source1
Tender items in source0
Tender documents in source1
Awards in latest release1
Contracts in latest release1
Parties in latest release2

Notice history

DateEventReference
26 May 2026award, contract049246-2026
14 Apr 2026award, contract033962-2026
13 Apr 2026award, contract033482-2026

All source data

Unmodified official OCDS data retained by Tenderline for this procurement process.

Complete current OCDS release JSON
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Complete JSON history (3 releases)
26 May 2026 · 049246-2026 · award, contract
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14 Apr 2026 · 033962-2026 · award, contract
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    "description": "Following the publication of a Transparency Notice on 13 April 2026, University of Keele is publishing this Contract Award Notice to announce its intention in accordance with its statutory obligations, to award a contract directly to Flywire for the provision of an integrated payment solution platform, including student payment processing, Tribal SITS integration, outgoing payables, and optional services such as Collections Management, Deposits, and other modules as defined in the contract.\nThis direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.\nThe services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's Tribal SITS student records system. The University is scheduled to double-upgrade to Tribal SITS V11.0 in May 2026, after which legacy WPM SITS payment pathways will no longer be supported. Flywire has a proven integration with Tribal SITS used by over 20 universities, significantly reducing manual reconciliation.\nAppointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in:\n1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including new integrations and staff retraining); and\n2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of time-critical payment processing services, which would disrupt student enrolment and the University's cash flow.\nThe award of this contract to Flywire represents the only viable route to secure the required services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK Universities, including the University of Kent (Transparency Notice 2026/S 000-017974).\nDisclaimer\nThis Contract Award Notice is published by the University of Keele, a contracting authority, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 50 of the Procurement Act 2023 to notify its intention to award a contract.\nThis notice does not itself constitute an offer, an award of contract, or give rise to any implied contract. The publication of the subsequent Contract Award Notice will initiate the mandatory 8-working-day standstill period, as required by Section 51(1) of the Act.\nThe University will not, and cannot lawfully, enter into a contract for the required services until the 8-working-day standstill period has been successfully completed. Any contract award will be confirmed through the subsequent publication of a Contract Details Notice.",
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award"
  },
  "buyerID": [],
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-CHC-RC000655",
      "name": "University of Keele",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKG24",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Keele, Staffordshire,",
        "postalCode": "ST5 5NB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Procurement Office, Directorate of Finance, Innovation Centre 1, Keele University Science and Innovation Park,"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.keele.ac.uk",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "RC000655",
        "scheme": "GB-CHC"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Darren Pearce",
        "email": "d.pearce@keele.ac.uk",
        "telephone": "+441782734124"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PMPH-8367-VGCY",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-07677601",
      "name": "FLYWIRE PAYMENTS LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKI41",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "EC2A 2AP",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "6th Floor 9 Appold Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.flywire.com",
        "vcse": false,
        "scale": "large",
        "shelteredWorkshop": false,
        "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "07677601",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "rfp.uk@flywire.com"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PRCB-4568-DYLW",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}
13 Apr 2026 · 033482-2026 · award, contract
{
  "id": "033482-2026",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "date": "2026-04-13T17:57:45+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06816d",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-CHC-RC000655",
    "name": "University of Keele"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "items": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "relatedLot": "1",
          "deliveryAddresses": [
            {
              "region": "UKG24",
              "country": "GB",
              "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            }
          ],
          "additionalClassifications": [
            {
              "id": "48000000",
              "scheme": "CPV",
              "description": "Software package and information systems"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "title": "Provision of Payment Solution Services",
      "value": {
        "amount": 460000,
        "currency": "GBP",
        "amountGross": 552000
      },
      "status": "pending",
      "options": {
        "description": "The core value is £70,000 per annum excluding VAT. Optional services to the value of £22,000 per annum excluding VAT are not guaranteed and will be subject to the University's discretion leading up to and including formal written instruction for additional product licences to be activated."
      },
      "documents": [
        {
          "id": "033482-2026",
          "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033482-2026",
          "format": "text/html",
          "noticeType": "UK5",
          "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
          "documentType": "awardNotice",
          "datePublished": "2026-04-13T17:57:45+01:00"
        }
      ],
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-07677601",
          "name": "FLYWIRE PAYMENTS LIMITED"
        }
      ],
      "hasOptions": true,
      "milestones": [
        {
          "id": "1",
          "type": "futureSignatureDate",
          "status": "scheduled",
          "dueDate": "2026-04-27T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
      ],
      "relatedLots": [
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      ],
      "aboveThreshold": true,
      "contractPeriod": {
        "endDate": "2031-04-26T23:59:59+01:00",
        "startDate": "2026-04-27T00:00:00+01:00"
      },
      "mainProcurementCategory": "goods"
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "KU/839/LF/LB/2026",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "complete",
        "description": null,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        }
      }
    ],
    "title": "Provision of Payment Solution Services",
    "status": "complete",
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "conflictOfInterest",
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "University of Keele is publishing this transparency notice to announce its intention, in accordance with its statutory obligations, to award a contract directly to Flywire for the provision of an integrated payment solution platform, including student payment processing, Tribal SITS integration, outgoing payables, and optional services such as Collections Management, Deposits, and other modules as defined in the contract.\nThis direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.\nThe services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's Tribal SITS student records system. The University is scheduled to double-upgrade to Tribal SITS V11.0 in May 2026, after which legacy WPM SITS payment pathways will no longer be supported. Flywire has a proven integration with Tribal SITS used by over 20 universities, significantly reducing manual reconciliation.\nAppointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in:\n1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including new integrations and staff retraining); and\n2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of time-critical payment processing services, which would disrupt student enrolment and the University's cash flow.\nThe award of this contract to Flywire represents the only viable route to secure the required services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK Universities, including the University of Kent (Transparency Notice 2026/S 000-017974).\nThis Transparency Notice is published by the University of Keele, a contracting authority, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 44 of the Procurement Act 2023 to notify its intention to award a contract directly.\nDisclaimer\nThis notice does not itself constitute an offer, an award of contract, or give rise to any implied contract. The publication of the subsequent Contract Award Notice will initiate the mandatory 8-working-day standstill period, as required by Section 51(1) of the Act.\nThe University will not, and cannot lawfully, enter into a contract for the required services until the 8-working-day standstill period has been successfully completed. Any contract award will be confirmed through the subsequent publication of a Contract Details Notice.",
    "procurementMethod": "direct",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "University of Keele is publishing this transparency notice to announce its intention, in accordance with its statutory obligations, to award a contract directly to Flywire for the provision of an integrated payment solution platform, including student payment processing, Tribal SITS integration, outgoing payables, and optional services such as Collections Management, Deposits, and other modules as defined in the contract.\nThis direct award is justified under Paragraphs 7 and 25 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.\nThe services require a platform that is fully integrated with the University's Tribal SITS student records system. The University is scheduled to double-upgrade to Tribal SITS V11.0 in May 2026, after which legacy WPM SITS payment pathways will no longer be supported. Flywire has a proven integration with Tribal SITS used by over 20 universities, significantly reducing manual reconciliation.\nAppointing any alternative supplier would require them to replicate this specific integration and expertise. This would necessitate a substantial duplication of effort and cost, and an unacceptable period of mobilisation, resulting in:\n1. Potential material duplication of cost for the University (including new integrations and staff retraining); and\n2. Detrimental delays in the delivery of time-critical payment processing services, which would disrupt student enrolment and the University's cash flow.\nThe award of this contract to Flywire represents the only viable route to secure the required services in a timely and cost-effective manner, as a competitive procurement process would be objectively unsuitable in these specific circumstances. This justification is supported by precedents from other UK Universities, including the University of Kent (Transparency Notice 2026/S 000-017974).\nThis Transparency Notice is published by the University of Keele, a contracting authority, in accordance with its statutory obligations under Section 44 of the Procurement Act 2023 to notify its intention to award a contract directly.\nDisclaimer\nThis notice does not itself constitute an offer, an award of contract, or give rise to any implied contract. The publication of the subsequent Contract Award Notice will initiate the mandatory 8-working-day standstill period, as required by Section 51(1) of the Act.\nThe University will not, and cannot lawfully, enter into a contract for the required services until the 8-working-day standstill period has been successfully completed. Any contract award will be confirmed through the subsequent publication of a Contract Details Notice.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
      }
    ]
  },
  "buyerID": [],
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-CHC-RC000655",
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      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
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        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Keele, Staffordshire,",
        "postalCode": "ST5 5NB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Procurement Office, Directorate of Finance, Innovation Centre 1, Keele University Science and Innovation Park,"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.keele.ac.uk",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "RC000655",
        "scheme": "GB-CHC"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Darren Pearce",
        "email": "d.pearce@keele.ac.uk",
        "telephone": "+441782734124"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PMPH-8367-VGCY",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
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      "name": "FLYWIRE PAYMENTS LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKI41",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "EC2A 2AP",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "6th Floor 9 Appold Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.flywire.com",
        "vcse": false,
        "scale": "large"
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      "identifier": {
        "id": "07677601",
        "scheme": "GB-COH"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "rfp.uk@flywire.com"
      },
      "additionalIdentifiers": [
        {
          "id": "PRCB-4568-DYLW",
          "scheme": "GB-PPON"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}