E-Tendering System

It is determined that only one specific supplier can deliver the technical capabilities essential to meeting the University's mandatory requirements for pre-market activities under the new statutory framework.

Oxford Brookes University (OBU) is seeking to appoint a new e-tendering and procurement system provider for the next three years. A fundamental requirement of this new system, essential for compliance and best practice under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), is the integrated Market Analytics element.

This integrated Market Analytics tool is critically necessary to enable OBU to undertake comprehensive desk-top market analysis and intelligence gathering prior to formally commencing any PA23 pre-market engagement activities. This capability ensures that OBU's procurement strategy is evidence-based, proportionate, and fully compliant with early-stage PA23 duties regarding market understanding and engagement planning.

Following extensive internal technical analysis and market scoping:

1. The specific and unique functionality offered by the Market Analytics solution, particularly its depth of data integration and advanced desktop analysis capabilities relevant to pre-market intelligence, is a proprietary element of the proposed provider's e-tendering platform.

2. The University confirms that this specific, necessary Market Analytics solution was only available with this supplier; no alternative provider within the e-tendering market can offer this equivalent, integrated, and technically specific pre-market analytical capability required by the University to efficiently fulfil its PA23 compliance requirements.

Therefore, due to the unique, proprietary, and technically specific nature of the essential Market Analytics component, the University is proceeding with a Direct Award to this single supplier to ensure the immediate and effective implementation of a system capable of meeting critical statutory and operational needs.