Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
South & City College Birmingham
High Street
Birmingham
B55SU
Contact
Parveen Ghulam
Telephone
+44 1216442624
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG - West Midlands (England)
UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number)
South & City College Birmingham
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
HR Information System
Reference number
SCCB 02-25
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Provision of HR and payroll system software service
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £640,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Main site or place of performance
Birmingham
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Provision of HR and payroll software services.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Direct Award
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The NHS Shared Business Services Consortium, was used to carry out the tender process. The framework used was the Digital Services SBS/19/AB/WAB/9411
There were 28 potential system providers available via the Consortium, and these providers were invited to submit tenders. In addition, they were contacted to ascertain whether they could provide a demonstration on a specified date and whether they were able to provide a specific system for a HR and Payroll integrated information system.
It was made clear that if they did intend to tender, they needed to confirm this and that they would not be sent out the next stage of the tender process, which was a Capability Assessment. This was timetabled to be sent after the demonstrations, and it was made clear that this would form part of any audit trail.
From the 28 providers who were invited to tender listed on the framework, only three responded to say they were not interested. 24 did not respond and only one (Softcat) responded to say that they would be tendering and that this would be in partnership with Midland HR. For their ITrent and People First HR System.
As there was only one response, it was agreed to make a direct award, as there was no further competition.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
8 August 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Softcat Plc
Buckinghamshire
SL7 1LW
Telephone
+44 1216442624
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG3 - West Midlands
Companies House
02174990
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £640,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £640,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Value or proportion likely to be subcontracted to third parties
Proportion: 100 %
Short description of the part of the contract to be subcontracted
The Services will be supplied by Midland HR
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
South & City College Birmingham
High Street
Birmingham
B5 5SU
Country
United Kingdom