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A planning notice whose dates have passed. Look for the tender or award notice that followed it. The tender notice was expected on 28 November 2025.
Description
Bournemouth University (“BU” or the “University”) has a requirement to replace its existing SMS solution which has reached end of life.
SMS messages are used as part of a multi-channel communication approach to engage with students. Approximately 35,000 messages are sent each year. Scenarios where SMS communication is used include the following:
Automated messages to notify of timetable changes and cancellations
Applicant interview details
Appointment notifications and reminders
Wellbeing and engagement contact
Sports centre information and promotions
Urgent alerts to university first-aiders
The replacement SMS service may include, but is not limited to, the features listed below:
Core Functionality
Ability to convert email into SMS messages.
Extract subject/body and trim to SMS character limits.
Deliver to UK and international mobile phone numbers.
Ability to create custom message templates.
Replies matched to the originating outbound message and delivered to sender.
Ability to prioritise messages and specifically send high-priority alerts.
Message Routing and Delivery
Retry failed messages and report failures.
Ability to schedule or delay delivery based on recipient time zone.
Ability to schedule messages on an ad-hoc or recurring basis.
Logging and Reporting
Maintain logs of all messages sent and received.
Ability to view message stats, delivery success rates and errors.
Compliance and Security
Potential to encrypt messages.
Provide means for recipients to opt out of SMS communications.
Ability to define retention periods for message history.
Integration
Potential ability to integrate with other systems (e.g. case management, CRM).
Administration and Support
Seamless access (preferably via Single Sign On) to system for message sending, receiving, managing users and viewing logs/reports.
Notification of failed messages and gateway issues.
Option to establish message quotas with notification when close to quota threshold.
This procurement was divided into 1 lots, each awarded separately.
Lots
1
Lot
Value
Status
Lot 1
Mar 2026 – Feb 2029
-
planning
Key Dates
Published
11 September 2025
Tender Open
-
Tender Deadline
-
Award Date
-
Contract Start
-
Contract End
-
Planned term
1 March 2026 – 28 February 2029 · may extend to 28 February 2031
Procurement Details
Method
–
Method Details
–
Main category
Services
Category
Software package and information systems
Delivery location
UKK24
Buyer Reference
IT/OS/461
Legal Basis
Procurement Act 2023
CPV Codes
48000000 – Software package and information systems; 48510000 – Communication software package; 64216000 – Electronic message and information services; 72250000 – System and support services