The University is awarding a contract for a student payment platform/service that automates the process of providing refunds or returning funds to students.

Procurement Act 2023

Direct award The University has utilised the Aspire platform for the past three years and is seeking to renew the contract through a direct award to the incumbent supplier. Following a recent organisational restructuring and associated reduction in staffing resources, the University does not currently have the capacity required to undertake a competitive procurement exercise and the subsequent implementation of an alternative solution. Retendering the requirement would necessitate significant internal resource to develop the specification, evaluate bids, manage system transition activities, migrate data, reconfigure processes and deliver user training. Given current resource constraints, undertaking these activities would present a material risk to business continuity and service delivery. The existing Aspire platform is fully implemented, embedded within University processes and continues to meet operational requirements. Renewal with the incumbent supplier therefore represents the most proportionate and low-risk option, ensuring continuity of service while avoiding the significant cost, disruption and resource commitment associated with procuring and implementing a replacement platform at this time.