Scope
Reference
PROC/2025/48
Description
The BBC currently relies on IMI Social to capture, route, and curate audience contributions from SMS, social media, and WhatsApp, integrating them into BBC production workflows. This enables various on-air applications, such as reading SMS messages on the radio, playing WhatsApp voice notes, and rendering audience data for on-screen graphics. The platform processes millions of messages each month across radio, podcasts, news, and TV.
Audience contributions via social media and SMS are a vital editorial component of live radio and TV programmes, often shaping content in real-time. Approximately 4,000 BBC users rely on the system to receive, moderate, and publish around four million messages per month.
To ensure continuity, the BBC is procuring a new web-based Social Audience Engagement Solution. A well-structured system will provide key benefits including compliance, auditability, and adherence to governance models. Without it, there is a risk of operational gaps and non-compliance, potentially disrupting editorial workflows and impacting regulatory assurance.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,600,000 excluding VAT
- £3,120,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
29 January 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
29 January 2026
Standstill period
- End: 9 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
11 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 February 2026 to 15 February 2029
- Possible extension to 15 February 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Initial contract is for three (3) years with an option to extend for a further two (2) years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
- 48510000 - Communication software package
- 48500000 - Communication and multimedia software package
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Information about tenders
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Supplier
Bionics Corporation Ltd (Trading as Broadcast Bioncs)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYBB-3762-JQQR
Hurstwood Grange, Hurstwood Lane
Haywards Heath
RH17 7QX
United Kingdom
Email: sales@bionics.co.uk
Website: https://www.bionics.co.uk/
Region: UKJ28 - West Sussex (North East)
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRB-3233-GTQL
Broadcasting House, Portland Place
London
W1A 1AA
United Kingdom
Email: no_reply@bbc.co.uk
Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government