Upcoming

Soft Market Test - Education Systems

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council · Local authority

In brief

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council has announced plans to buy IT and software work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £10 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 1 day, starting 31 March 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 11 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Published via the CHEST Portal Ref DN806303 Stockport Council's Education Service has relied on the Synergy system for case management since September 2015. While Synergy has supported our core processes, the education landscape and technology have evolved considerably since its implementation. As our contract approaches expiry in March 2028, we want to ensure our systems continue to meet the needs of children, families, schools, and the wider community. We are therefore undertaking a soft market testing exercise to: • Understand the current capabilities, innovations, and cost models available in the market for education case management systems. • Assess whether alternative solutions could better support our strategic objectives, improve service delivery, and offer better value for money. • Inform the development of a robust specification for any future procurement, ensuring it reflects both our operational requirements and the latest market offerings. • Engage with suppliers early to gauge interest, gather feedback, and identify potential delivery partners who can help us achieve our ambitions. This exercise is not a call for competition, but an opportunity for the Council to gather intelligence and shape our approach to market engagement and procurement

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 016731-2026

About the buyer

  1. Social Housing Emerging Disrupters 6

    Procurement for HousingNorth WestFacilities management, IT services and software

    Closing soon4 days leftFramework

    £250mframework ceiling
  2. Audio visual, digital signage and visitor management system

    Liverpool City Region Combined AuthorityNorth WestIT services and software

    Closing soon4 days left

    £300kestimated
  3. PRO005128-Goods-Framework-Water Saving Devices

    United Utilities Water LimitedNorth WestIT services and software

    Open7 days left2 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £15mframework ceiling
  4. TfGM Single View of the Network

    Transport for Greater ManchesterNorth WestIT services and software

    Open7 days leftExpress interest

    £1mestimated
  5. Procurement of an HR and Payroll System

    Look Ahead Care and Support LimitedNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestIT services and software

    Open7 days leftSuitable for SMEs

    £1.5mestimated

From notice 016731-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 25 February 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.