Scope
Reference
25 26 436
Description
Buckinghamshire Council is the national lead and contract holder for the Back Office Planning System (BOPS), a key component of the Open Digital Planning (ODP) programme, which is fully sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). BOPS is being developed in coordination with two sister products-PlanX (led by Lambeth Council) and the Digital Planning Register (led by Camden Council)-as part of a comprehensive digital transformation of planning services in the UK. This is for the provision of development of additional modules and route-to-market workstream for this project.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,268,000 excluding VAT
- £1,521,600 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
15 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 September 2025 to 1 September 2026
- 11 months, 16 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Prototypes and development
- Single supplier - technical reasons
This contract is being awarded directly under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, which permit direct awards in cases involving specialised development activities and novel service delivery.
The supplier has previously delivered the core platform and is uniquely positioned to provide the required enhancements due to their established technical integration and in-depth understanding of the system architecture. Engaging a new supplier would introduce material risks to interoperability, delivery timelines, and cost efficiency.
The work forms part of a strategically funded programme involving multiple interdependent digital initiatives. Continuity with the incumbent supplier ensures alignment across workstreams, supports programme stability, and mitigates disruption to delivery.
This approach is consistent with the objectives of the Procurement Act to support innovation, efficiency, and value for money in the delivery of public services.
Buckinghamshire Council is the national lead and contract holder for the Back Office Planning System (BOPS), a key component of the Open Digital Planning (ODP) programme, which is fully sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). BOPS is being developed in coordination with two sister products, as part of a comprehensive digital transformation of planning services in the UK.
Supplier
Unboxed Consulting Limited
- Companies House: 05440833
60-62 Commercial Street
London
E1 6LT
United Kingdom
Telephone: 02071834250
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Buckinghamshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCLJ-2677-YQXD
The Gateway, Gatehouse Road
Aylesbury
HP198FF
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government