Scope
Description
This notice sets out the University of Essex intention to award a contract to Unit4 Business Software Limited for the provision of a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning Solution. The proposed contract term is 41 Months + 12 + 12 Months.
The current on premise Unit 4 finance software is a business-critical application used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of their finances.
The University considers that the award of the contract is permitted under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023. Section 41 allows contracting authorities to award a public contract to a non excluded supplier directly. Section 41 (5) (d) permits the award of a public contract for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency, the time limits for the open or competitive flexible procedures in addition to the integration and implementation services cannot be complied with.
Due to Unit4's unforeseeable decision to remove support for the University's on-premises solution after 31st December 2026, the University does not consider that there is sufficient time to implement a new financial system.
This would have involved gathering a full set of requirements and specification, conducting market tests, completing a full procurement exercise and integration of existing interfaces before the given deadline by Unit4. The award of a contract pursuant to section 41 (5) (d) is therefore strictly necessary, for reasons of extreme urgency, to ensure business continuity for the University of Essex from 31st December 2026.
The cloud based Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution provides a full suite of financial management functions. It enables budget management, expenses, purchase to pay, sales to cash, inventory management, general ledger reporting and commitment accounting. Unit4 also provides support and maintenance of the software on its cloud under this contract.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,440,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
11 April 2025
Standstill period
- End: 28 April 2025
- 10 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 April 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 31 July 2029
- Possible extension to 31 July 2031
- 5 years, 5 months
Description of possible extension:
The contract is subject to renewal options after the initial 41 months.
The proposed contract term is 41 Months + 12 + 12 Months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72211000 - Programming services of systems and user software
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Supplier
UNIT4 BUSINESS SOFTWARE LIMITED
- Companies House: 01737985
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRP-7679-QVJG
C/O Corporation Service Company (Uk) Limited
London
E14 5HU
United Kingdom
Email: bids.uki@unit4.com
Website: http://www.unit4.com
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
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
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
- Companies House: RC000652
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQBL-6931-JNGJ
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom
Email: procure@essex.ac.uk
Website: http://www.essex.ac.uk
Region: UKH34 - Essex Haven Gateway
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government