{ "uri": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsRecordPackages/ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "publisher": { "name": "Cabinet Office", "scheme": "GB-GOR", "uid": "D2", "uri": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office" }, "publishedDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:34+01:00", "license": "http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/", "publicationPolicy": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-contracting", "version": "1.1", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ], "packages": [ "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsRecordPackages/ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a" ], "records": [ { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "releases": [ { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "buyerID": [], "id": "071991-2026", "tag": [ "award", "contract" ], "date": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "name": "Hertfordshire County Council", "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PWJT-5264-WYMY" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Robertson House, Six Hills Way", "locality": "Stevenage", "postalCode": "SG1 2FQ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKH23" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } }, { "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED", "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-COH", "id": "02271395" }, "additionalIdentifiers": [ { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PRBJ-2953-BWNW" } ], "address": { "streetAddress": "Unit 3 Sherbrook House", "locality": "Lichfield", "postalCode": "WS13 6TU", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKG24" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Phoebus@MinsterWMS.com" }, "roles": [ "supplier" ], "details": { "scale": "sme", "vcse": false } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "name": "Hertfordshire County Council" }, "tender": { "id": "HCC2618037", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS", "description": "The contract is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution.\nThe service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases.\nThe objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations.\nThe contracted services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities.\nMinster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The contract is structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live.\nIn addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing.\nThe solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations.", "status": "complete", "procurementMethod": "direct", "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award", "procurementMethodRationale": "Herts FullStop (HFS) has undertaken three separate procurement exercises over several years to replace its core business management platform. The first procurement failed to identify any supplier capable of meeting the Council's requirements. The second resulted in a contract award, but the supplier withdrew during discovery due to unresolved issues regarding intellectual property and liability allocation. A third procurement through a Crown Commercial Service framework progressed to contract negotiations but was ultimately deemed unaffordable because implementation costs exceeded the Council's available funding. \nThese repeated exercises demonstrated that no alternative solution currently available in the market can meet HFS's operational, technical, implementation and affordability requirements.\nHFS currently relies on Minster Computer Systems' Compass platform to run critical business operations. The proposed contract is for the upgrade and migration to Minster Edge WMS, including implementation, integration, data migration, training and transition services. Minster Computer Systems owns the software, intellectual property, technical architecture, data structures, integrations and licensing rights associated with both the existing and proposed platforms. As a result, only Minster can legally and technically deliver the required upgrade and migration services, meaning there is no reasonable alternative supplier capable of providing the same solution.\nThe direct award is therefore justified under Procurement Act exemption 6.4.3 (exclusive rights and technical reasons). It is also justified under exemption 6.4.5 because changing supplier would require replacement of the entire application estate, redevelopment of integrations, business process redesign, user retraining and reimplementation of multiple system interfaces, creating disproportionate technical complexity, cost and operational risk. Furthermore, exemption 6.4.9 applies because previous competitive procurements failed to deliver a suitable and affordable outcome, providing strong evidence that further competition would be unlikely to achieve a different result.\nThe proposed upgrade to Minster Edge WMS offers a cost-effective and low-risk route to modernisation within the approved budget. It will provide a modern SaaS warehouse management platform, improved reporting and operational visibility, enhanced customer and staff experience, greater digital capability and a foundation for future self-service improvements. Failure to proceed would leave HFS dependent on increasingly outdated technology, limiting operational efficiency, business growth and the organisation's ability to maximise financial returns for Hertfordshire County Council. Consequently, the Council considers the direct award to Minster Computer Systems to be the most economically advantageous, technically viable and operationally secure option available.", "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "complete", "description": null } ], "documents": [ { "id": "conflictOfInterest", "documentType": "conflictOfInterest", "description": "Not published" } ], "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [ { "id": "singleSuppliersIntellectualPropertyExclusiveRights" } ] }, "awards": [ { "id": "1", "status": "pending", "value": { "amountGross": 297000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "suppliers": [ { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED" } ], "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "72212430", "description": "Inventory management software development services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKH23", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-08-11T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2027-08-10T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-10T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "A possible extension of up to 12 months in total" }, "relatedLots": [ "1" ], "documents": [ { "id": "071991-2026", "documentType": "awardNotice", "noticeType": "UK5", "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071991-2026", "datePublished": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ], "milestones": [ { "id": "1", "type": "futureSignatureDate", "dueDate": "2026-08-11T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ] } ], "language": "en", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_performance_failures_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ] }, { "buyerID": [], "id": "072008-2026", "tag": [ "award", "contract" ], "date": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "parties": [ { "name": "Hertfordshire County Council", "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PWJT-5264-WYMY" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Robertson House, Six Hills Way", "locality": "Stevenage", "postalCode": "SG1 2FQ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKH23" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } }, { "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED", "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-COH", "id": "02271395" }, "additionalIdentifiers": [ { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PRBJ-2953-BWNW" } ], "address": { "streetAddress": "Unit 3 Sherbrook House", "locality": "Lichfield", "postalCode": "WS13 6TU", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKG24" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Phoebus@MinsterWMS.com" }, "roles": [ "supplier" ], "details": { "scale": "sme", "vcse": false, "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false, "shelteredWorkshop": false } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "name": "Hertfordshire County Council" }, "tender": { "id": "HCC2618037", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS", "description": "The contract is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution.\nThe service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases.\nThe objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations.\nThe contracted services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities.\nMinster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The contract is structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live.\nIn addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing.\nThe solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations.", "status": "complete", "procurementMethod": "direct", "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award", "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "complete", "description": null } ] }, "awards": [ { "id": "1", "status": "pending", "date": "2026-07-24T00:00:00+01:00", "value": { "amountGross": 297000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "suppliers": [ { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED" } ], "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "72212430", "description": "Inventory management software development services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKH23", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "standstillPeriod": { "endDate": "2026-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-08-12T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "A possible extension of up to 12 months in total." }, "relatedLots": [ "1" ], "documents": [ { "id": "072008-2026", "documentType": "awardNotice", "noticeType": "UK6", "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072008-2026", "datePublished": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ], "milestones": [ { "id": "1", "type": "futureSignatureDate", "dueDate": "2026-08-12T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ] } ], "language": "en", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_performance_failures_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ] }, { "buyerID": [], "id": "079134-2026", "tag": [ "award", "contract" ], "date": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "parties": [ { "name": "Hertfordshire County Council", "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PWJT-5264-WYMY" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Robertson House, Six Hills Way", "locality": "Stevenage", "postalCode": "SG1 2FQ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKH23" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } }, { "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED", "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-COH", "id": "02271395" }, "additionalIdentifiers": [ { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PRBJ-2953-BWNW" } ], "address": { "streetAddress": "Unit 3 Sherbrook House", "locality": "Lichfield", "postalCode": "WS13 6TU", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKG24" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Phoebus@MinsterWMS.com" }, "roles": [ "supplier" ], "details": { "scale": "sme", "vcse": false, "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false, "shelteredWorkshop": false } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "name": "Hertfordshire County Council" }, "tender": { "id": "HCC2618037", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS", "description": "The project is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution. \nThe service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases. \nThe objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations. \nThe services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities. \nIntroduction of barcode scanners and barcode label printers is part of this project. \nMinster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The project structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live.\nIn addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing. \nThe solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations.", "status": "complete", "procurementMethod": "direct", "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award", "procurementMethodRationale": "Herts FullStop (HFS), part of Hertfordshire County Council's Resources Directorate, has undertaken extensive and repeated market engagement over several years to identify and procure a replacement core business management platform for its Educational Resources operation. Despite significant effort and investment of time and resources, these procurement activities have not resulted in a viable and deliverable replacement solution that met the Council's operational, commercial and financial requirements.\nThree separate procurement exercises have been undertaken. The first competitive procurement exercise did not result in any bids that were capable of meeting the Council's requirements and consequently no contract could be awarded. A second procurement exercise successfully identified a supplier and a contract was awarded; however, during the discovery phase the supplier elected to terminate the arrangement through the contractual break provisions because agreement could not be reached regarding intellectual property ownership, and allocation of liabilities without materially altering the procured contract and creating procurement compliance concerns. Subsequently, a third procurement exercise undertaken through an approved Crown Commercial Service framework reached the stage of contract negotiations and agreement on terms and conditions. However, following executive consideration, the Council determined that the scale of investment required to implement and deliver the proposed solution could not be supported within the available funding envelope due to wider cost pressures and therefore the procurement could not proceed.\nThese repeated procurement exercises have demonstrated that there is currently no reasonable alternative solution available to HFS which satisfies the Council's operational requirements, implementation timescales and affordability constraints. Previous replacement programmes required estimated capital investment of c. £1.6 million, with approximately £1.1 million directly attributable to software acquisition and implementation costs being paid to the main contractor. Following a review of priorities and available funding, the Council has established a revised project budget of approximately £800,000 for the business transformation programme. Within this revised affordability envelope, a full market replacement of the existing core platform is no longer deliverable.\nHFS currently operates critical business processes through Minster Computer Systems Limited's Compass platform. Minster Computer Systems Limited is the proprietor of the existing software, associated intellectual property, underlying data structures, interfaces, integrations, workflows and technical architecture. The proposed solution is an upgrade and migration from the existing Compass platform to Minster Edge WMS, together with associated implementation, integration and transition services. Only Minster Computer Systems Limited possesses the necessary proprietary rights, technical knowledge, source systems expertise and software licensing authority required to undertake this migration and provide the associated implementation services. No third party supplier is able to provide the Minster Edge WMS software, nor undertake the upgrade of the existing Compass environment, without the consent, involvement and intellectual property rights held exclusively by Minster Computer Systems Limited.\nThe proposed award therefore satisfies the grounds contained within Regulation 6.4.3, as only one supplier can provide the required goods and services due to proprietary intellectual property rights, exclusive licensing arrangements and technical reasons, and there are no reasonable alternatives capable of achieving the required outcome within the Council's financial and delivery constraints.\nIn addition, the proposed award satisfies Regulation 6.4.5. The project represents the replacement and modernisation of an existing solution provided by the incumbent.", "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "complete", "description": null } ], "documents": [ { "id": "conflictOfInterest", "documentType": "conflictOfInterest", "description": "Not published" } ], "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [ { "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons" } ] }, "awards": [ { "id": "1", "status": "active", "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "suppliers": [ { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED" } ], "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "72212430", "description": "Inventory management software development services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKH23", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "relatedLots": [ "1" ] } ], "contracts": [ { "id": "1", "awardID": "1", "status": "active", "period": { "startDate": "2026-08-14T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "Single 12 month extension" }, "value": { "amountGross": 297000, "currency": "GBP" }, "aboveThreshold": true, "dateSigned": "2026-08-14T00:00:00+01:00", "noAgreedMetricsRationale": "Not required for this value.", "statusDetails": null, "documents": [ { "id": "079134-2026", "documentType": "contractNotice", "noticeType": "UK7", "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079134-2026", "datePublished": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] } ], "language": "en", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_performance_failures_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ] } ], "compiledRelease": { "tag": [ "compiled" ], "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a-2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "date": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "name": "Hertfordshire County Council", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PWJT-5264-WYMY" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Robertson House, Six Hills Way", "locality": "Stevenage", "postalCode": "SG1 2FQ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKH23" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } }, { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-COH", "id": "02271395" }, "additionalIdentifiers": [ { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PRBJ-2953-BWNW" } ], "address": { "streetAddress": "Unit 3 Sherbrook House", "locality": "Lichfield", "postalCode": "WS13 6TU", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKG24" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Phoebus@MinsterWMS.com" }, "roles": [ "supplier" ], "details": { "scale": "sme", "vcse": false, "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false, "shelteredWorkshop": false } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "name": "Hertfordshire County Council" }, "tender": { "id": "HCC2618037", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS", "description": "The project is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution. \nThe service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases. \nThe objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations. \nThe services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities. \nIntroduction of barcode scanners and barcode label printers is part of this project. \nMinster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The project structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live.\nIn addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing. \nThe solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations.", "status": "complete", "procurementMethod": "direct", "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award", "procurementMethodRationale": "Herts FullStop (HFS), part of Hertfordshire County Council's Resources Directorate, has undertaken extensive and repeated market engagement over several years to identify and procure a replacement core business management platform for its Educational Resources operation. Despite significant effort and investment of time and resources, these procurement activities have not resulted in a viable and deliverable replacement solution that met the Council's operational, commercial and financial requirements.\nThree separate procurement exercises have been undertaken. The first competitive procurement exercise did not result in any bids that were capable of meeting the Council's requirements and consequently no contract could be awarded. A second procurement exercise successfully identified a supplier and a contract was awarded; however, during the discovery phase the supplier elected to terminate the arrangement through the contractual break provisions because agreement could not be reached regarding intellectual property ownership, and allocation of liabilities without materially altering the procured contract and creating procurement compliance concerns. Subsequently, a third procurement exercise undertaken through an approved Crown Commercial Service framework reached the stage of contract negotiations and agreement on terms and conditions. However, following executive consideration, the Council determined that the scale of investment required to implement and deliver the proposed solution could not be supported within the available funding envelope due to wider cost pressures and therefore the procurement could not proceed.\nThese repeated procurement exercises have demonstrated that there is currently no reasonable alternative solution available to HFS which satisfies the Council's operational requirements, implementation timescales and affordability constraints. Previous replacement programmes required estimated capital investment of c. £1.6 million, with approximately £1.1 million directly attributable to software acquisition and implementation costs being paid to the main contractor. Following a review of priorities and available funding, the Council has established a revised project budget of approximately £800,000 for the business transformation programme. Within this revised affordability envelope, a full market replacement of the existing core platform is no longer deliverable.\nHFS currently operates critical business processes through Minster Computer Systems Limited's Compass platform. Minster Computer Systems Limited is the proprietor of the existing software, associated intellectual property, underlying data structures, interfaces, integrations, workflows and technical architecture. The proposed solution is an upgrade and migration from the existing Compass platform to Minster Edge WMS, together with associated implementation, integration and transition services. Only Minster Computer Systems Limited possesses the necessary proprietary rights, technical knowledge, source systems expertise and software licensing authority required to undertake this migration and provide the associated implementation services. No third party supplier is able to provide the Minster Edge WMS software, nor undertake the upgrade of the existing Compass environment, without the consent, involvement and intellectual property rights held exclusively by Minster Computer Systems Limited.\nThe proposed award therefore satisfies the grounds contained within Regulation 6.4.3, as only one supplier can provide the required goods and services due to proprietary intellectual property rights, exclusive licensing arrangements and technical reasons, and there are no reasonable alternatives capable of achieving the required outcome within the Council's financial and delivery constraints.\nIn addition, the proposed award satisfies Regulation 6.4.5. The project represents the replacement and modernisation of an existing solution provided by the incumbent.", "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "complete" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "conflictOfInterest", "documentType": "conflictOfInterest", "description": "Not published" } ], "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [ { "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons" } ] }, "awards": [ { "id": "1", "status": "active", "value": { "amountGross": 297000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "suppliers": [ { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED" } ], "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "72212430", "description": "Inventory management software development services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKH23", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKH23", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKH23", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-08-12T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "A possible extension of up to 12 months in total." }, "relatedLots": [ "1" ], "documents": [ { "id": "071991-2026", "documentType": "awardNotice", "noticeType": "UK5", "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071991-2026", "datePublished": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "format": "text/html" }, { "id": "072008-2026", "documentType": "awardNotice", "noticeType": "UK6", "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072008-2026", "datePublished": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ], "milestones": [ { "id": "1", "type": "futureSignatureDate", "dueDate": "2026-08-12T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "date": "2026-07-24T00:00:00+01:00", "standstillPeriod": { "endDate": "2026-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" } } ], "language": "en", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_performance_failures_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ], "contracts": [ { "id": "1", "awardID": "1", "status": "active", "period": { "startDate": "2026-08-14T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "Single 12 month extension" }, "value": { "amountGross": 297000, "currency": "GBP" }, "aboveThreshold": true, "dateSigned": "2026-08-14T00:00:00+01:00", "noAgreedMetricsRationale": "Not required for this value.", "documents": [ { "id": "079134-2026", "documentType": "contractNotice", "noticeType": "UK7", "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079134-2026", "datePublished": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] } ] }, "versionedRelease": { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d72a", "initiationType": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "tender" } ], "parties": [ { "id": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY", "name": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Hertfordshire County Council" } ], "identifier": { "scheme": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB-PPON" } ], "id": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "PWJT-5264-WYMY" } ] }, "address": { "streetAddress": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Robertson House, Six Hills Way" } ], "locality": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Stevenage" } ], "postalCode": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "SG1 2FQ" } ], "country": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB" } ], "countryName": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "United Kingdom" } ], "region": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UKH23" } ] }, "contactPoint": { "email": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk" } ] }, "roles": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ "buyer" ] } ], "details": { "url": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk" } ], "classifications": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } ] } }, { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED" } ], "identifier": { "scheme": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB-COH" } ], "id": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "02271395" } ] }, "additionalIdentifiers": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PRBJ-2953-BWNW" } ] } ], "address": { "streetAddress": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Unit 3 Sherbrook House" } ], "locality": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Lichfield" } ], "postalCode": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "WS13 6TU" } ], "country": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB" } ], "countryName": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "United Kingdom" } ], "region": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UKG24" } ] }, "contactPoint": { "email": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Phoebus@MinsterWMS.com" } ] }, "roles": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ "supplier" ] } ], "details": { "scale": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "sme" } ], "vcse": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": false } ], "publicServiceMissionOrganization": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": false } ], "shelteredWorkshop": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": false } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB-PPON-PWJT-5264-WYMY" } ], "name": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Hertfordshire County Council" } ] }, "tender": { "id": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "HCC2618037" } ], "legalBasis": { "id": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2023/54" } ], "scheme": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UKPGA" } ], "uri": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" } ] }, "title": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Contract to Upgrade Minster Compass to Minster Edge WMS" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "The contract is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution.\nThe service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases.\nThe objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations.\nThe contracted services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities.\nMinster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The contract is structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live.\nIn addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing.\nThe solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations." }, { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "The project is for the upgrade and migration of Herts FullStop's core operational platform from the existing Minster Compass system to Minster Edge WMS, a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) warehouse management solution. \nThe service includes the provision of the Minster Edge WMS software together with supporting components such as the IntaData integration platform, barcode scanning services and reporting databases. \nThe objective is to modernise HFS's educational resources and warehouse operations while retaining compatibility with existing business processes, data structures and integrations. \nThe services cover the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution configuration, system implementation, data migration, systems integration, acceptance testing, user acceptance testing, staff training, go-live support and transition activities. \nIntroduction of barcode scanners and barcode label printers is part of this project. \nMinster will migrate existing Compass data into Edge WMS, recreate and manage integrations with key business systems, provide onsite training, and support the delivery of a minimum viable product targeted for early 2027. The project structured around delivery milestones covering discovery, build releases, integration testing, user testing and stabilisation after go-live.\nIn addition, Minster will provide hosting, maintenance and transitional support services following implementation. This includes cloud hosting on Microsoft Azure, software updates and maintenance releases, service desk support with defined response and resolution times, business continuity arrangements, security management, and GDPR-compliant data processing. \nThe solution is intended to improve operational visibility, reporting, customer and staff experience, digital capability and future self-service opportunities while ensuring continuity of critical HFS operations." } ], "status": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "complete" } ], "procurementMethod": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "direct" } ], "procurementMethodDetails": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Direct award" } ], "procurementMethodRationale": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Herts FullStop (HFS) has undertaken three separate procurement exercises over several years to replace its core business management platform. The first procurement failed to identify any supplier capable of meeting the Council's requirements. The second resulted in a contract award, but the supplier withdrew during discovery due to unresolved issues regarding intellectual property and liability allocation. A third procurement through a Crown Commercial Service framework progressed to contract negotiations but was ultimately deemed unaffordable because implementation costs exceeded the Council's available funding. \nThese repeated exercises demonstrated that no alternative solution currently available in the market can meet HFS's operational, technical, implementation and affordability requirements.\nHFS currently relies on Minster Computer Systems' Compass platform to run critical business operations. The proposed contract is for the upgrade and migration to Minster Edge WMS, including implementation, integration, data migration, training and transition services. Minster Computer Systems owns the software, intellectual property, technical architecture, data structures, integrations and licensing rights associated with both the existing and proposed platforms. As a result, only Minster can legally and technically deliver the required upgrade and migration services, meaning there is no reasonable alternative supplier capable of providing the same solution.\nThe direct award is therefore justified under Procurement Act exemption 6.4.3 (exclusive rights and technical reasons). It is also justified under exemption 6.4.5 because changing supplier would require replacement of the entire application estate, redevelopment of integrations, business process redesign, user retraining and reimplementation of multiple system interfaces, creating disproportionate technical complexity, cost and operational risk. Furthermore, exemption 6.4.9 applies because previous competitive procurements failed to deliver a suitable and affordable outcome, providing strong evidence that further competition would be unlikely to achieve a different result.\nThe proposed upgrade to Minster Edge WMS offers a cost-effective and low-risk route to modernisation within the approved budget. It will provide a modern SaaS warehouse management platform, improved reporting and operational visibility, enhanced customer and staff experience, greater digital capability and a foundation for future self-service improvements. Failure to proceed would leave HFS dependent on increasingly outdated technology, limiting operational efficiency, business growth and the organisation's ability to maximise financial returns for Hertfordshire County Council. Consequently, the Council considers the direct award to Minster Computer Systems to be the most economically advantageous, technically viable and operationally secure option available." }, { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Herts FullStop (HFS), part of Hertfordshire County Council's Resources Directorate, has undertaken extensive and repeated market engagement over several years to identify and procure a replacement core business management platform for its Educational Resources operation. Despite significant effort and investment of time and resources, these procurement activities have not resulted in a viable and deliverable replacement solution that met the Council's operational, commercial and financial requirements.\nThree separate procurement exercises have been undertaken. The first competitive procurement exercise did not result in any bids that were capable of meeting the Council's requirements and consequently no contract could be awarded. A second procurement exercise successfully identified a supplier and a contract was awarded; however, during the discovery phase the supplier elected to terminate the arrangement through the contractual break provisions because agreement could not be reached regarding intellectual property ownership, and allocation of liabilities without materially altering the procured contract and creating procurement compliance concerns. Subsequently, a third procurement exercise undertaken through an approved Crown Commercial Service framework reached the stage of contract negotiations and agreement on terms and conditions. However, following executive consideration, the Council determined that the scale of investment required to implement and deliver the proposed solution could not be supported within the available funding envelope due to wider cost pressures and therefore the procurement could not proceed.\nThese repeated procurement exercises have demonstrated that there is currently no reasonable alternative solution available to HFS which satisfies the Council's operational requirements, implementation timescales and affordability constraints. Previous replacement programmes required estimated capital investment of c. £1.6 million, with approximately £1.1 million directly attributable to software acquisition and implementation costs being paid to the main contractor. Following a review of priorities and available funding, the Council has established a revised project budget of approximately £800,000 for the business transformation programme. Within this revised affordability envelope, a full market replacement of the existing core platform is no longer deliverable.\nHFS currently operates critical business processes through Minster Computer Systems Limited's Compass platform. Minster Computer Systems Limited is the proprietor of the existing software, associated intellectual property, underlying data structures, interfaces, integrations, workflows and technical architecture. The proposed solution is an upgrade and migration from the existing Compass platform to Minster Edge WMS, together with associated implementation, integration and transition services. Only Minster Computer Systems Limited possesses the necessary proprietary rights, technical knowledge, source systems expertise and software licensing authority required to undertake this migration and provide the associated implementation services. No third party supplier is able to provide the Minster Edge WMS software, nor undertake the upgrade of the existing Compass environment, without the consent, involvement and intellectual property rights held exclusively by Minster Computer Systems Limited.\nThe proposed award therefore satisfies the grounds contained within Regulation 6.4.3, as only one supplier can provide the required goods and services due to proprietary intellectual property rights, exclusive licensing arrangements and technical reasons, and there are no reasonable alternatives capable of achieving the required outcome within the Council's financial and delivery constraints.\nIn addition, the proposed award satisfies Regulation 6.4.5. The project represents the replacement and modernisation of an existing solution provided by the incumbent." } ], "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "complete" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": null } ] } ], "documents": [ { "id": "conflictOfInterest", "documentType": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "conflictOfInterest" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Not published" } ] } ], "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ { "id": "singleSuppliersIntellectualPropertyExclusiveRights" } ] }, { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ { "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons" } ] } ] }, "awards": [ { "id": "1", "status": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "pending" }, { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "active" } ], "value": { "amountGross": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": 297000 } ], "currency": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GBP" } ] }, "mainProcurementCategory": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "services" } ], "aboveThreshold": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": true } ], "suppliers": [ { "id": "GB-COH-02271395", "name": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "MINSTER COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED" } ] } ], "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "72212430", "description": "Inventory management software development services" } ] } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UKH23" } ], "country": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB" } ], "countryName": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "United Kingdom" } ] }, { "region": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UKH23" } ], "country": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB" } ], "countryName": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "United Kingdom" } ] }, { "region": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UKH23" } ], "country": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GB" } ], "countryName": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "United Kingdom" } ] } ], "relatedLot": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "1" } ] } ], "contractPeriod": { "startDate": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-11T00:00:00+01:00" }, { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-12T00:00:00+01:00" } ], "endDate": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2027-08-10T23:59:59+01:00" }, { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" } ], "maxExtentDate": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2028-08-10T23:59:59+01:00" }, { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" } ] }, "hasRenewal": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": true } ], "renewal": { "description": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "A possible extension of up to 12 months in total" }, { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "A possible extension of up to 12 months in total." } ] }, "relatedLots": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ "1" ] } ], "documents": [ { "id": "071991-2026", "documentType": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "awardNotice" } ], "noticeType": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UK5" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender" } ], "url": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071991-2026" } ], "datePublished": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00" } ], "format": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "text/html" } ] }, { "id": "072008-2026", "documentType": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "awardNotice" } ], "noticeType": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UK6" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender" } ], "url": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072008-2026" } ], "datePublished": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00" } ], "format": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "text/html" } ] } ], "milestones": [ { "id": "1", "type": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "futureSignatureDate" } ], "dueDate": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" }, { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-12T23:59:59+01:00" } ], "status": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "scheduled" } ] } ], "date": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-07-24T00:00:00+01:00" } ], "standstillPeriod": { "endDate": [ { "releaseID": "072008-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:40:18+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" } ] } } ], "language": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "en" } ], "extensions": [ { "releaseID": "071991-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-07-30T09:21:51+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_performance_failures_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ] } ], "contracts": [ { "id": "1", "awardID": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "1" } ], "status": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "active" } ], "period": { "startDate": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-14T00:00:00+01:00" } ], "endDate": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2027-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" } ], "maxExtentDate": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2028-08-11T23:59:59+01:00" } ] }, "hasRenewal": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": true } ], "renewal": { "description": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Single 12 month extension" } ] }, "value": { "amountGross": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": 297000 } ], "currency": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "GBP" } ] }, "aboveThreshold": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": true } ], "dateSigned": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-14T00:00:00+01:00" } ], "noAgreedMetricsRationale": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Not required for this value." } ], "statusDetails": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": null } ], "documents": [ { "id": "079134-2026", "documentType": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "contractNotice" } ], "noticeType": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "UK7" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender" } ], "url": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079134-2026" } ], "datePublished": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00" } ], "format": [ { "releaseID": "079134-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-08-19T15:49:33+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "award", "contract" ], "value": "text/html" } ] } ] } ] } } ] }