Scope
Reference
CPT_25_20
Description
The National Audit Office requires the provision, maintenance, and support of the Thrive Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver, manage, and track mandatory, regulatory, and professional development training for approximately 1,100 staff. The system will host and maintain existing and future learning content, including CPD records and training completion data, and provide tools to monitor compliance and staff progress. The supplier will provide technical support, system updates, and ensure secure and reliable access to training materials, maintaining data integrity and continuity of service.
Contract 1. CPT_25_20 Thrive Learning Management System (LMS)
Supplier
Contract value
- £175,000 excluding VAT
- £210,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
16 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 26 January 2026 to 25 January 2028
- Possible extension to 25 January 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
The contract is expected to commence by Monday 26th January 2026 and will run initially for 2 years until Tuesday 25th January 2028 with 2 years optional extensions to Friday 25th January 2030.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The NAO reserves the right, during the term of the contract, to:
• Purchase additional user licences to accommodate increased usage requirements; and
• Procure additional professional services, including but not limited to configuration, and training, at the rates specified in the contract.
These options may be exercised at any time during the contract period to ensure flexibility and scalability in meeting the NAO's evolving needs.
CPV classifications
- 48931000 - Training software package
- 80500000 - Training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The NAO is relying on Procurement Act 2023, Section 43(1)(d): continuation or interoperability requirements where changing supplier would cause disproportionate technical difficulties or significant duplication of cost.
The grounds for the direct award are:
• Proprietary data and interoperability: Thrive stores CPD, completions, and BI dashboards in a proprietary format, which cannot be easily migrated to another LMS.
• Significant duplication of cost and resource: Recreating BI reporting, CPD tracking, and historical data in a new system would require substantial staff time, cross-team effort, and external support. The previous migration to Thrive involved many hours of colleague time and significant internal resource investment to transfer content and configure CPD tracking, demonstrating the scale of effort that would be duplicated.
• Workforce impact: The system is used by approximately 1,100 staff. Transitioning to a new LMS would require full retraining, leading to operational disruption and productivity loss.
• Continuity and proportionality: Continuing with Thrive ensures uninterrupted training provision, data integrity, and compliance, representing the most efficient and proportionate use of public funds.
Supplier
THRIVE LEARNING LIMITED
- Companies House: 10988277
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYLW-1522-MRJY
27 Market Place
Nottingham
NG13 8AN
United Kingdom
Email: lyndsay.dare@thrivelearning.com
Website: http://www.thrivelearning.com
Region: UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. CPT_25_20 Thrive Learning Management System (LMS)
Contracting authority
National Audit Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHM-8926-YDNL
157-197 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SP
United Kingdom
Email: NAO.Procurement@nao.org.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government