Digital development partner and content management system platform implementation

The United Kingdom Sports Council is seeking a digital development partner to design, build, migrate, and launch a new website powered by a headless Software as a Service (SaaS) content management system. The project aims to replace the existing Sitecore structure with a user-centered, secure, and accessible digital experience, with a target go-live date of September 1, 2027. The contract spans four years, with the first year focusing on implementation and the subsequent three years dedicated to ongoing support and continuous improvement. The total budgeted value for the four-year term is up to 310,000 GBP, including VAT, which covers the initial build, CMS licensing, and annual support retainers. The successful supplier must adhere to strict technical and security standards, including the UK Government Secure by Design framework, WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications. All data must be stored and handled within the United Kingdom, with encryption required both at rest and in transit. Award evaluation is based on a 100% weighting, distributed between quality of services (40%), pricing (20%), and relevant experience and track record (20%), with additional requirements for environmental sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion compliance. Proposals must be submitted by December 11, 2026.