Scope
Reference
PA-SC-967-25-WP
Description
A survey system, allowing us to set up, distribute, monitor and report on confidential and anonymous surveys to staff and students.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £182,051 excluding VAT
- £218,461.20 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
28 August 2025
Contract dates
- 9 September 2025 to 8 September 2028
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
Contract locations
- UKG33 - Coventry
Justification for not setting key performance indicators
Not required
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - technical reasons
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
Explorance Blue was procured through a Framework in 2020, contracted in September 2020 for five years. It initially replaced the use of Jisc OS for internal module evaluation surveys, and has been extended for use on other internal student and staff surveys and reporting.
Through its implementation it has been embedded into the systems and culture of Coventry University and is in use by all students and staff:
All existing students know how to use the system to complete surveys; new students are able to learn and access the system easily.
The system is integrated with our online learning system, allowing staff and student direct access to their surveys via Aula.
All staff have access to the system to complete surveys; academic staff have the knowledge and rights to access relevant surveys, including to view the survey reports relating to their position as created over the last 5 years.
Multiple training and guidance materials have been produced for new staff to quickly learn how to use the system to review, monitor live surveys, and access reports.
In addition, the surveys team have completed many training certificates and advanced learning sessions with Explorance to have high-level knowledge of how to use the many aspects of the system. This advanced level of knowledge, has allowed us to make use of advanced features, and to present our good practise to other users at events and conferences.
Externally, the system has also been integrated with our NHS partners, to enable them to access the system securely to view evaluation reports relating to placements taking place within their institutions.
For these reasons we need to continue using the Explorance Blue system to avoid the large time resource needed to learn and migrate to a different system, which would include every member of staff and all students across the institution, as well as the surveys team as administrators. It's also needed to avoid a period of time with no survey solution available (during the migration period) at a critical time for the University, when surveys are required to evaluate the changes to teaching organisation in the curriculum change programme for post graduate students.
Supplier
EXPLORANCE GLOBAL LIMITED
- Companies House: 08987402
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHLV-5135-LDTW
Stag House
Hertford
SG13 7LA
United Kingdom
Email: info@explorance.com
Website: http://www.explorance.com
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
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
Coventry University
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMMH-2339-NMGH
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB
United Kingdom
Email: Procurement@coventry.ac.uk
Region: UKG33 - Coventry
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government