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
Request for Information - Teaching Excellence Capability Consultancy - 2026-3526-TECC-SD-MW
The University of Manchester is a large, research-intensive, discipline-diverse institution seeking to strengthen its approach to Teaching Excellence.
The University is exploring how to develop a user focused, coherent, evidence-informed, institution-wide capability to support teaching enhancement, academic development, and improved student outcomes.
As part of this, the University is considering engaging an external consultancy partner to support a short-term discovery and design phase. The aim of this work is for the University to
• Define and propose an approach to coherent and scalable institutional capability and practice based on human centred service design
• Develop a robust, evidence-based case for future investment
• Develop a plan, including resource requirements, to build engagement, momentum, and practical learning to ensure behaviour change and benefits
• Embed service design and iterative delivery (test/learn/scale) in delivery and in proposed capability
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 procurement documents, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity