Official UK procurement notice
ID5867746 PSNI - Core IT Managed Services Contract
Authority: Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) (Central government)·On behalf of: CPD - Supplies and Services Division
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Police Service of Northern Ireland (Authority) has a requirement for the provision of Core IT Managed Services (Contract). The Core IT contract encompasses the Authority’s operational systems excluding Wide Area Networks, Local Area Networks, Printers, and those dedicated internal networks and systems supporting sensitive specialist departments. The Supplier may be required to interface with these systems and collaborate with relevant third parties as necessary to ensure the effective delivery of services. The primary focus of this Core IT procurement is, to make a strong contribution to public confidence in policing by driving improvements in public service delivery through the provision of world-class IT services, which enhances frontline policing efficiency and resilience. In parallel, the aim is to deliver improved value for money for taxpayers through robust and effective contract management that drive continuous improvement in supplier performance throughout the initial contract term. The Authority therefore wishes to procure a Core IT solution which:
- Meets all existing business requirements, providing continuity of service across all Authority operations;
- Supports the transition from the current contractual arrangements to the new contract, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing IT services and operational capability;
- Provides flexibility and scalability to accommodate future and evolving business requirements, including changes in operational scope, technology, or user demand;
- Maintains the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of all Authority systems, networks, and data in accordance with applicable legislation, security policies and standards;
- Ensures the secure storage and management of Authority data, both on-premises and within any approved hosted or cloud environments;
- Complies with all relevant current and future requirements relating to IT infrastructure, operational standards, and data protection legislation, including but not limited to UK GDPR and associated security frameworks;
- Implements continuous quality enhancements in all areas, identified as requiring improvement, ensuring that service performance and user satisfaction are maintained and developed throughout the contract term;
- Supports the adoption of automated services and modern management capabilities to streamline operational processes across both on-premises and cloud-hosted environments, delivering infrastructure services through a standardised, service-oriented model that provides a consistent and simplified user experience regardless of where the underlying data or services are hosted; and
- Actively explores and adopts innovative technologies,. including artificial intelligence (AI) and Automation, where such technologies demonstrably streamline processes, enhance efficiency, resilience, and value for money, whether on-premises or cloud.
The Core Towers are:
- Infrastructure and Hosting Services;
- Application Support.
- Desktops, Laptops, and Peripherals; and
- Service Desk.
Please see DRAFT Services Specification provided at PSQ stage for further details.
- Not divided into lots: There is a high degree of overlap between towers, most notably between Application Support and Hosting Services. Separate suppliers holding separate contracts for those services will introduce inefficiencies, and a lack of clear lines of accountability. Going to market as one requirement maximises both efficiency for PSNI in terms of the procurement project and ongoing contract management activities, and opportunity for the supplier. Suppliers may form consortiums to deliver the requirement.
- Two-stage procedure: up to 3 candidates will be invited to tender.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 2 Jan 2040, 23:59 GMT.
- How the procedure runs: An indication of the anticipated stages in the Competitive Flexible Procedure are as follows: -Conditions of Participation (COP)/ Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) submissions returned -Evaluate COP/PSQ submissions and select shortlist of 3 suppliers – informing all of outcome - Tender Stage to shortlisted suppliers -Detailed Solution Stage with Dialogue Sessions -Submission of Detailed Solutions (DS) - (Optional) Refined Detailed Solution with Dialgue Sessions -Issue Invitation to Submit Final Tenders (ISFT) to Suppliers -Evaluation of final tenders and selection of preferred supplier The Contracting Authority may during the process refine the wording and / or weighting of an award criterion in line with section 24 of the PA 2023. Where this is the case revised tender documentation will be provided to all suppliers clearly indicating any refinements made. The Contracting Authority reserves the right amend the stages of the competitive flexible procurement process. The process described above is indicative only and the finalised process will be provided in the tender documents.
CPV: Barcode readers · Business transaction and personal business software package · Central processing units for minicomputers · Communication software package · Computer accessories · Computer audit and testing services · Computer cards · Computer configurations · Computer platforms · Computer ports · Computer screens and consoles · Computer supplies · +44 more
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£360,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
As per PSQ stage documentation
- Technical & professional ability
As per PSQ stage documentation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
The PSQ includes the following technical ability criteria on:
3.3.1 Hosting Services - weighting 15
3.3.2 Desktops, Laptops and Peripherals - Weighting15
3.3.3 Service Desk - Weighting 10
3.3.4 Service Performance - Weighting 15
3.3.5 a Applications Support Services example 1 - Weighting 5
3.3.5 b Applications Support Services example 2 - Weighting 5
3.3.6 Security Management - Weighting 15
3.3.7 Implementation - Weighting 5
3.3.8 Service Integration and Management - Weighting15
Following submission and evaluation of the Conditions of Participation/Procurement Specific Questionaire (PSQ) Responses, the Authority envisages inviting the top three (3) ranked Suppliers that meet the PSQ requirements, to participate in the Tender stage of the competition.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Qualitative Proposals (to include Technical Proposals and Social Value): 65%
- Financial & Commercial: 35%
Published award criteria (2)
- Qualitative Proposals (to include Technical Proposals and Social Value): A full description of the award criteria will be provided at the next stage
- Financial & Commercial: A full description of the award criteria will be provided at the next stage
- Economic & financial standing
As per PSQ stage documentation
- Technical & professional ability
As per PSQ stage documentation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
The PSQ includes the following technical ability criteria on:
3.3.1 Hosting Services - weighting 15
3.3.2 Desktops, Laptops and Peripherals - Weighting15
3.3.3 Service Desk - Weighting 10
3.3.4 Service Performance - Weighting 15
3.3.5 a Applications Support Services example 1 - Weighting 5
3.3.5 b Applications Support Services example 2 - Weighting 5
3.3.6 Security Management - Weighting 15
3.3.7 Implementation - Weighting 5
3.3.8 Service Integration and Management - Weighting15
Following submission and evaluation of the Conditions of Participation/Procurement Specific Questionaire (PSQ) Responses, the Authority envisages inviting the top three (3) ranked Suppliers that meet the PSQ requirements, to participate in the Tender stage of the competition.
- Price carries 35 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- Turnover usually expected at this size: about £119,890,512 (twice the annual value).
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula. Turnover is an indicative market norm (≈2× annual value), not a published condition.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) buys Computer-related equipment (CPV 3023), and who usually turns up
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has little published record in this market. Frameworks and DPS are left out: they draw different bid counts. Whole-market view: Computer-related equipment (CPV 3023) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
No supplier sizes published for this authority.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
No winner locations published for this authority. Local means a registered address in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 25 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
The market share is a minimum: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
No awards recorded for this authority in this market.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid25% / 40%
2–350% / 27%
4–625% / 20%
7+0% / 13%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Below estimate25% / 44%
Within ±2%25% / 44%
Above estimate50% / 11%
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1CPV 3023Published estimate£360m
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid27%
2–351%
4–618%
7+4%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
Based on 8 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Middle 50%£331m–£360m
Estimate£360m
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £3.1bn49 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 20 live · £6.0bn iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=14 | |
XMA LimitedLarge | £34m73 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 10 live · £3.4m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 15% below n=2 |
| £2.4bn112 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 46 live · £4.6bn iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=8 | |
| £833m26 awards in 36m · last 1 month ago | 7 live · £364m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=1 | |
Banner Group LimitedLarge | £7.4m70 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 18 live · £18m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=6 |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Requests to participate open
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 2 Jan 2040
- First published
- 16 May 2025, 14:41 BST
- Last source update
- 22 Sept 2026, 13:59 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 10 Dec 2027
- Authority reference
ID5867746- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-089658- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0515fbFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
Based on historical spend patterns, annual expenditure under the contract is anticipated to range between £9 million and £24 million, reflecting fluctuations in service demand from year to year. This estimate is provided for information purposes only and does not represent a guaranteed level of expenditure.
The estimated total contract value is £329 million (excluding VAT). However, the anticipated value range is £200 million to £360 million (excluding VAT), with the upper value of £360 million being reflected within the scope section of this Notice.
This range reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the contracting Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Suppliers remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Supplier in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a Supplier shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the Contracting Authority.
- How it runs
An indication of the anticipated stages in the Competitive Flexible Procedure are as follows:
-Conditions of Participation (COP)/ Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) submissions returned
-Evaluate COP/PSQ submissions and select shortlist of 3 suppliers – informing all of outcome
- Tender Stage to shortlisted suppliers
-Detailed Solution Stage with Dialogue Sessions
-Submission of Detailed Solutions (DS)
- (Optional) Refined Detailed Solution with Dialgue Sessions
-Issue Invitation to Submit Final Tenders (ISFT) to Suppliers
-Evaluation of final tenders and selection of preferred supplier
The Contracting Authority may during the process refine the wording and / or weighting of an award criterion in line with section 24 of the PA 2023. Where this is the case revised tender documentation will be provided to all suppliers clearly indicating any refinements made.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right amend the stages of the competitive flexible procurement process. The process described above is indicative only and the finalised process will be provided in the tender documents.
- Risks
If at any time during the procurement, or post award, it comes to the attention of the Contracting Authority (CA) or CPD, by whatever means, that a Supplier has become ‘excluded’ or ‘excludable’ as per Sec 57 of the PA 2023, the CA, after compliance with its obligations under the PA 23, reserves the right to exclude said Supplier from the procurement procedure or terminate any contract they have been awarded.
The Contracting Authority expressly reserves the rights:
(I). not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice;
(II). to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering Competition;
(III). to award a contract(s) in respect of any part(s) of the services covered by this notice; and
(IV). to award contract in stages.
and in no circumstances will the Authority be liable for any costs incurred by candidates.
This project will be used to progress the Government’s wider social, economic and environmental objectives.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to hold additional rounds of negotiation / dialogue with tenderers; to require the submission of any further or additional information or tender submissions; to award the Contract following the submission of initial tenders and/or to down-select tenderers at specified points in the process. For the avoidance of doubt, final tenders will not be subject to any negotiation with the Contracting Authority (however, they may be subject to clarification, if required, at the Contracting Authority’s absolute discretion). The Contracting Authority reserves the right: to reject any or all PSQ or tender responses and to cancel or withdraw the procurement process at any stage; to award a contract without prior notice; to change the basis of, the procedure and the timescales set out or referred to in the procurement documents; to require a tenderer to clarify its PSQ or tender response in writing and/or provide additional information; to terminate the procurement process; and/or to amend the terms and conditions of the PSQ or tender evaluation process or negotiation process in line with section 31 of the Procurement Act 2023.
Suppliers should note that all dates, time periods and figures in relation to values and volumes specified in this notice and the procurement documents are approximate only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to change any or all of them.
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Submit via eTendersNI- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 29 Oct 2026, 15:00 GMT
- Tender submission deadline
- 29 Oct 2026, 15:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 20 Oct 2026, 15:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Shortlist
- up to 3 candidates invited to tender
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.
Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the Contracting Authority / Buyer.
The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL etendersni.gov.uk/epps ↗
Timeline
16 May 2025 → 1 Jan 2028 · 8 dates- Planning notice published16 May 2025, 14:41 BST
- Market engagementmet30 May 2025, 23:59 BST
The Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement has now been concluded-the PME is now closed.
A Preliminary Market Engagement notice, and questionnaire was previously published on 16 May 2025. There were 14 responses received from suppliers by the deadline of 30th May 2025, presenting their feedback.
As stated in the questionnaire, due to the large volume of responses received, PSNI invoked the right to meet with a selection of respondents only. This approach was taken to ensure the most effective use of time and resources, and only those responses PSNI wished to explore further were invited to participate in face-to-face meetings.
A total of 6 supplier were invited to face-to-face meetings. All 14 suppliers were informed of the decision via eTendersNI on 9th June 2025.
The face-to-face meetings were held individually in Belfast on 1st July 2025.
Following this a document entitled 'ID 5885241 PME meeting - Questions raised by suppliers’ containing questions raised at the face-to-face meetings, along with the response provided, was uploaded to eTendersNI on 28 July 2025. This ensures that all interested suppliers, including those not invited to the meetings, have access to the same information which is free to view under the CfT ID 5885241 document section on eTendersNI.
It is currently anticipated that the resulting tender competition will be published via eTendersNI in December 2025.
It should be noted that the estimated value provided within this notice is indicative only, and will be finalised prior to any Tender Notice being published. Dates provided in relation to subsequent contract are very much estimated and will be refined following the outcome of the Preliminary Market Engagement and publication of the Tender Notice.
- Next notice expected329 days ago1 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Tender notice published34 days ago22 Sept 2026, 13:59 BST
- Clarification questions by6 days ago20 Oct 2026, 15:00 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Submission deadlinein 2 days29 Oct 2026, 15:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by10 Dec 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts1 Jan 2028
Notice history
6 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 May 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published16 May 2025, 14:41 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published1 Oct 2025, 15:01 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published22 Sept 2026, 13:59 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £360,000,00022 Sept 2026, 13:59 BSTwas £50,000,000
- Status changed to active22 Sept 2026, 13:59 BST
- Procurement method changed22 Sept 2026, 13:59 BST
Published amendments (1)
This notice has been edited. This Notice has been updated to Reflect Completion of the PME stage (see “Procurement Description” section for further details).
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- CPD - Supplies and Services DivisionBeneficiary authority
- CPD - Supplies & Services DivisionProcess contact pointProcuring entityConstruction and Procurement Delivery – Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender