Scope
Reference
CMA2025_01
Description
The Central Market Agency Limited ("the CMA") is seeking expressions of interest from potential suppliers with respect to the provision of services in connection with the ongoing application development and maintenance and management of day-to-day operations of its principal Central Systems, along with other supporting systems.
The CMA's systems are used to manage the Wholesale Water Market in Scotland, as regulated by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS). Its operational and development activities are derived from its Market Code, as amended and developed by the Market's Participants, which include Scottish Water, as the sole Wholesaler, and its Licensed Providers. WICS can introduce changes or veto changes proposed by the Market.
The two key functional components of Central Systems are:
Central Settlement System - the systems and business processes operated and maintained by the CMA to support the calculation of Wholesale Charges.
Supply Point Register - the database (and any related business processes) which facilitates the Registration of Supply Points to Licensed Providers and the Transfer of Supply Points from one Licensed Provider to another Licensed Provider.
The services in scope that we are seeking expressions of interest are split into 2 Lots:
Lot 1 - Application Development & Maintenance
Services include provision of application development and maintenance services of the Central Systems in-line with Market and Regulatory requirements. This would involve delivery of a minimum of two releases of software each year and production of related documentation.
Lot 2 - Central Systems Operations
Services required will include day-to-day operation of the Central Systems and provision of service to agreed service levels; maintain overall reliability and security levels.
In addition, the supplier awarded Lot 2 would lead and advise on the procurement of Lot 3, which is the contract for the Central Systems physical hosting location and physical security and connectivity between the hosting location and the CMA location in Scotland and the CMA's end customers the Market Participants.
Total Lot values (estimated) over the three-year contract period plus the one year discretionary extension period:
Lot 1 - £3,100,000 including VAT
Lot 2 - £1,300,000 including VAT
Suppliers who express an interest in engaging with the CMA will be required to complete a short summary of their organisation background and experience. A Supplier can express an interest in both Lots but cannot be awarded both Lots.
The CMA is not a contracting authority for the purposes of the Procurement Act 2023 (as amended) and its procurement activities are not subject to the Procurement Act 2023.
Advertisement of any contract in the 'Find a Tender' is at the sole discretion of the CMA and is undertaken on a voluntary basis with no obligation to comply with the Procurement Act 2023 (as amended).
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Contract locations
- UKM - Scotland
Engagement
Engagement deadline
4 June 2025
Engagement process description
We are seeking initial Expressions of Interest under each Lot.
We intend to publish our detailed requirements and contract terms around 2nd July 2025.
The qualification criteria for shortlisting potential suppliers will include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Supplier Annual Turnover of no less than £5million and a headcount of greater than 30 employees
• Supplier to have delivery staff that are predominantly based in the United Kingdom
• Supplier ability to demonstrate relevant experience and technical skills in a relevant industry and in projects of similar scope / sizes to Lots 1 and/ or 2
• Supplier holds current ISO27001 accreditation, Cyber Essentials Plus or equivalent.
Suppliers who fail to meet any of the above criteria should not submit an Expression of Interest.
Please contact procurement@cmascotland.co.uk to ask clarification questions by 23rd of May and to formally register your interest by 4th of June, advising which of the two Lot(s) are of interest, along with the following details:
• Your organisation name
• Your name and job title
• Your email address
• Your telephone number
• A short summary of your organisation and how it meets the selection criteria
We are aiming to award the contracts on 25th November 2025.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contracting authority
CENTRAL MARKET AGENCY LIMITED
- Companies House: SC328635
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZJB-2391-GMTH
48 Enterprise House
Stirling
FK7 7UF
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@cmascotland.co.uk
Website: http://www.cmascotland.com
Region: UKM77 - Perth & Kinross and Stirling
Organisation type: Private utility
Devolved regulations that apply: Scotland