Automatic Voter Registration: EMS changes Democracy Counts

Description

The purpose of the contract is the provision of software development, testing, implementation and support services to enhance the Supplier's Electoral Management System used by Welsh local authorities in support of the introduction of Automatic Voter Registration in Wales. The services include the design, development and deployment of functionality required to implement legislative changes relating to electoral registration and administration, including elector matching capabilities, registration processes, communications functionality and associated system enhancements. The contract forms part of a wider programme of Electoral Management System changes being implemented across Welsh local authorities through the Electoral Management System providers operating in Wales.

Key facts

Procedure

Direct award

Lots

1

Contact

Automatic Voter Registration: EMS changes.

CPSProcurementAdvice@gov.wales

Contract period

20 Nov 2026 → 31 Dec 2027

Value incl. VAT

£1.8m

Category

services

Awarded suppliers

• Democracy Counts Limited · GB-PPON-PTPZ-7364-GLPQ · UKD61, GB

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

The Authority intends to award a contract directly to the Supplier pursuant to Section 41 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. The contract relates to the development and implementation of enhancements to the Supplier's existing Electoral Management System used by Welsh local authorities to support the introduction of Automatic Voter Registration in Wales. The required services comprise modifications to the Supplier's proprietary software platform and associated functionality. The Authority considers that only the Supplier is capable of delivering the required services because it owns and maintains the relevant Electoral Management System and holds the associated intellectual property rights, technical knowledge and access necessary to undertake the required development work. The requirement relates to modifications of an existing supplier-owned system and does not constitute the procurement of a new Electoral Management System. The Authority further considers that there are no reasonable alternative suppliers capable of providing the required services. Any alternative supplier would be unable to modify or develop the Supplier's Electoral Management System without access to the Supplier's proprietary software, intellectual property rights and technical architecture. The Authority is establishing comparable contractual arrangements with all Electoral Management System providers operating within Wales, with each supplier responsible for implementing changes to its own platform. Accordingly, the Authority considers that the conditions for a direct award are met under Schedule 5, Paragraph 5(a) and (b) and Paragraph 6(a) and (b) of the Procurement Act 2023, as only the Supplier can provide the required services due to intellectual property rights, exclusive rights and an absence of competition for technical reasons, and no reasonable alternative exists.