Request for Information - External Digital Experience: CMS Discovery - 2026-3565-RFI-CMS Disc-DL-PST

The University is undertaking discovery work under the External Digital Experience (EDE) Programme. This RFI is intended to test the market before any formal procurement decision is made. It is not a tender and it does not commit the University to procure a solution or to follow a particular route.

The purpose of this RFI is to gather supplier perspectives on a future Content Management System (CMS) and the implementation, migration, governance and operating model considerations that would support a more coherent external digital experience.

The RFI is CMS-only. The University is not seeking CRM supplier proposals through this exercise. CRM should only be referenced where it relates to CMS integration, enquiry/form hand-off, campaign source tracking, consent capture, student journey data, or future interoperability.

This RFI is intended to help the University:

• understand credible CMS options available in the market, including traditional, headless, hybrid, composable or DXP-aligned approaches

• test assumptions from CMS discovery, the EDE Strategy and the CMS Discovery Checklist

• understand how suppliers would support content governance, structured content, publishing workflows, accessibility, IA, SEO, internal search, migration and editor experience

• understand how a CMS could integrate with CRM and other systems without making CRM part of this RFI

• obtain indicative views on delivery approach, sequencing, risks, University-side resourcing and cost drivers;

• inform any subsequent CMS business case, procurement strategy, RFP/tender documentation and evaluation criteria.

The University of Manchester no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice.

Information, formalities and necessary requirements to be met will be set out in the RFI document, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity