Scope
Reference
ITT/25/37
Description
In October 2023, Unit4 announced the end-of-life for on-premise support with effect from 31 December 2024 for all its customers globally as part of its Software as a Service [SAAS] product strategy. The December 2024 deadline was extended for the University until December 2025 at which point we are required to commit to upgrade and migrate to a fully cloud-based solution by December 2026 or purchase a new ERP/Finance system.
The Unit4 software is core to the financial operations of the University having been originally procured in 1999. It is fully embedded throughout the organisational infrastructure for the management and operation of the University's finances and is currently supported on premise. The announcement to end on-premise support from Unit 4 was completely unforeseeable by the University and as a consequence of this the University does not have enough time to fully procure a brand-new ERP/Finance System and undertake a fully competitive procurement process, test and implement new software from an alternative provider and train the workforce in the timeframes outlined by Unit 4. Changing providers in this timeframe would cause the University immense technical difficulties, introduce new complexities and have additional financial implications.
It is the University's opinion therefore that a direct award to Unit4 is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 as outlined in section 41 (5) (d). The justifications for this, are twofold
1) technical difficulties as outlined in Schedule 5 section 7b
2) extreme and unavoidable urgency as outlined in Schedule 5 section 13
Contract 1. Finance System Upgrade and Cloud Migration
Supplier
Contract value
- £865,000 excluding VAT
- £1,038,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
26 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 10 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
17 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2031
- 6 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 48441000 - Financial analysis software package
- 48443000 - Accounting software package
- 48442000 - Financial systems software package
- 48444000 - Accounting system
Contract locations
- UKL2 - East Wales
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Supplier
Unit4 Business Software Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRP-7679-QVJG
5 Churchill Place
London
E14 5HU
United Kingdom
Email: bids.UKI@unit4.com
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Finance System Upgrade and Cloud Migration
Contracting authority
Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPNB-5569-JLHH
Llandaff campus
Cardiff
CF5 2YB
United Kingdom
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales