2026 ATS & HRIS

Oak National Academy is exploring the replacement of BeApplied, its current Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which is expected to become unavailable at the end of March 2027. Oak is also considering whether to procure a linked HR information system (HRIS) at the same time, procure the systems as separate lots, or address its HRIS needs through a later procurement.

The immediate priority is an ATS that can be implemented in time to maintain recruitment services. Oak is undertaking this engagement to understand the market, test its developing requirements, assess realistic implementation times and decide how best to package the ATS and HRIS requirements. No decision has yet been made to include an HRIS in the resulting tender.

Oak invites input from suppliers of ATS products, HRIS products, integrated ATS and HRIS platforms, and suppliers able to deliver either system with a reliable integration to the other. Suppliers do not need to offer both systems to participate.

Oak's requirements include structured and blind sifting, independent reviewer scoring, separation of diversity monitoring data from hiring decisions, accessible candidate and staff journeys, recruitment administration, reporting and export of records.

Oak also wishes to explore HRIS needs and the transfer of new-starter information between systems. These are working needs, not final tender requirements or evaluation criteria. Oak welcomes different ways of achieving the outcomes.

Suppliers are invited to respond by 20th October 2026 by email to procurement@thenational.academy. Please state:

Whether you offer an ATS, an HRIS, or both, and whether each is an established product or requires development.

Indicative three-year costs for the ATS and HRIS separately, including implementation, migration, integrations, licences, support and optional modules. These figures are for planning and will not be scored.

Availability for demonstrations to our team:

Oak expects to hold live demonstrations or discussions during October 2026 with potential suppliers. It may use separate ATS and HRIS scenarios so suppliers offering only one system can participate meaningfully. All interested suppliers may submit written input regardless of whether they receive a live session.

The engagement will not be scored or used to select a preferred supplier. Participation is not required to bid for any subsequent contract and gives no supplier an advantage in that competition. Oak will record the engagement and make information relevant to preparing a bid available to the wider market, while protecting genuinely confidential supplier information.

Oak currently expects to publish an ATS tender in late October/mid November 2026, but the timing, scope, procurement route and contract value will be reviewed following this engagement.

This notice is not an invitation to tender and does not commit Oak to any particular procurement or award.