Direct Award - Software renewal for Core Finance System

The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules is used by the University and its subsidiaries for the management of their finances and it is considered business-critical. The below justifications set out in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 apply to this Direct Award; (5) ‘Single suppliers’ due to the supplier having intellectual property rights or other exclusive rights, only that supplier can supply the goods/services.

And; (7) ‘Additional or repeat goods, services or works’ because the contract concerns the supply of goods/services by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods/services in circumstances where— (a) a change in supplier would result in the University receiving goods/services or that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods/services; and (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. The Unit4 Enterprise Resource Planning solution and associated modules provide a full suite of financial management functions that enables budget management, expenses, source to contract, sales to cash, general ledger reporting and commitment accounting. The contract will also provide support and maintenance of the solution.