Denmark Cancels €62.5 Million IT Consultancy Framework for Nyt SIS Programme

The Nyt SIS Programme, a collaboration of seven Danish universities, has cancelled a €62.5 million framework agreement for IT consultancy services due to a change in needs. The tender, which received eight bids, was divided into two lots covering business analysis, project management, data processing, and testing services for the implementation of a new student administration system.

Introduction

Modernising university student administration systems is a complex and resource-intensive undertaking. In Denmark, seven universities—DTU, KU, SDU, ITU, RUC, AAU, and CBS—have joined forces under the "Nyt SIS" (New Student Information System) Programme to replace the existing "STADS/DANS" system with a new, shared student administration platform.

To support this ambitious programme, the universities sought to establish a framework agreement for external IT consultancy services valued at up to DKK 125 million (approximately €16.8 million). However, despite receiving eight bids, the procurement was cancelled due to a change in the programme's needs.

This outcome highlights the challenges of large-scale IT transformation projects and the importance of aligning procurement with evolving programme requirements.

Why This Contract Matters

The Nyt SIS Programme represents a significant investment in the digital infrastructure of Danish universities. A new student administration system will impact thousands of students and staff across seven institutions.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports major IT transformation: The framework would have provided essential consultancy resources for the Nyt SIS Programme
• Involves all Danish universities: Seven universities collaborated on the procurement
• Significant value: Framework valued at up to DKK 125 million (€16.8 million)
• Quality-focused evaluation: Quality criteria weighted 60% (sector insight 20%, competencies 40%) and price 40%
• Demonstrates market interest: Eight bids received despite cancellation

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 6 August 2026 (OJ S 150/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: 1cdf3457-7bd5-486c-9a54-76a966b769df-01
• Outcome: Cancelled - change in needs
• Bids received: 8

Contract Overview

The Nyt SIS Programme, coordinated by DTU (Danmarks Tekniske Universitet), conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The framework was divided into two lots covering different IT consultancy service areas.

Key features included:

• Two lots: Delaftale 1 (Business analysis, project management, data processing) and Delaftale 2 (Testing)
• Duration: 2 years with 2 x 12-month extensions (max 4 years)
• Total estimated value: DKK 62.5 million (up to DKK 125 million maximum)
• Evaluation: Quality (60%) and Price (40%)
• Quality criteria: Sector insight and knowledge (20%), Competencies, methods and tools (40%)
• Framework type: Without reopening of competition

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Coordinating buyer	Danmarks Tekniske Universitet - DTU
Participating buyers	7 Danish universities (KU, DTU, SDU, ITU, RUC, AAU, CBS)
Contract subject	IT consultancy services (CPV 85312320, 72200000)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total estimated value (DKK)	DKK 62,500,000.00
Total maximum value (DKK)	DKK 125,000,000.00
Number of lots	2
Bids received	8 (both lots)
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Outcome	Cancelled - change in needs
Evaluation criteria	Quality (60%) : Price (40%)

Project Scope

The Nyt SIS Programme aims to replace the existing "STADS/DANS" student administration system with a new, modern, shared system across seven Danish universities.

Lot 1 (Delaftale 1) – Business Analysis, Project Management, Data Processing

• Service areas:
  • Business needs, business case, and benefits realisation
  • Project and programme management
  • Data processing
• Estimated value: DKK 45,000,000
• Maximum value: DKK 90,000,000

Lot 2 (Delaftale 2) – Testing

• Service area: Testing (including sub-areas and sub-sub-areas as specified in the requirements specification)
• Estimated value: DKK 17,500,000
• Maximum value: DKK 35,000,000

About the Contracting Authority

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet - DTU (Technical University of Denmark) is the coordinating buyer for the Nyt SIS Programme. DTU is one of Denmark's leading universities, specialising in engineering and technical sciences. The programme also involves six other Danish universities:

• Københavns Universitet (KU) – University of Copenhagen
• Syddansk Universitet (SDU) – University of Southern Denmark
• IT-Universitetet i København (ITU) – IT University of Copenhagen
• Roskilde Universitet (RUC) – Roskilde University
• Aalborg Universitet (AAU) – Aalborg University
• Copenhagen Business School (CBS) – Copenhagen Business School

About the Winning Company

No contract was awarded. The tender was cancelled due to a change in needs. No winning company exists for this procurement.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Eight bids were received for each lot, indicating strong market interest in the framework.
• Evaluation criteria: Quality (60%) and Price (40%). The quality criteria were further divided into Sector insight (20%) and Competencies, methods and tools (40%).
• Cancellation reason: The procurement was cancelled due to a change in the programme's needs. This suggests that the Nyt SIS Programme's requirements evolved during the procurement process.
• Framework structure: Framework agreements without reopening of competition.
• Geographic scope: Nationwide coverage across Denmark.

Reasons for Cancellation

The notice states that the procurement was cancelled due to a "change in needs" (beslutning af ordregiver, fordi behovet er ændret). This could indicate several possibilities:

• Programme scope changes: The Nyt SIS Programme's requirements may have changed during the tender process
• Technical approach: The technical approach to the new student administration system may have been revised
• Timeline adjustments: The implementation timeline may have been adjusted
• Budget changes: The programme budget may have been revised
• Internal resources: The universities may have decided to use more internal resources

Such cancellations are not uncommon in large-scale IT transformation projects, where requirements often evolve as the programme progresses.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• No framework agreement was awarded.
• Eight bids were received for each lot.
• All bids were from Danish or EEA-based suppliers (no further detail provided).
• Disputes or review requests fall to Klagenævnet for Udbud (Danish Complaints Board for Procurement).

Market & Industry Perspective

The Danish IT consultancy market is competitive, with a mix of large international consultancies and specialised Danish firms. The Nyt SIS Programme attracted eight bids, indicating strong market interest in the public sector IT consultancy sector.

Key trends in the Danish IT consultancy market include:

• Public sector demand: Strong demand for IT consultancy services in the public sector
• Digital transformation: Major public sector IT transformation projects drive demand
• SME participation: SMEs are increasingly competitive in the IT consultancy sector
• Quality focus: Public buyers increasingly prioritise quality over price

The cancellation of this procurement, despite strong bidder interest, highlights the challenges of aligning large-scale IT procurements with evolving programme requirements. It also underscores the importance of flexibility in procurement planning for complex IT projects.

Economic Significance

At up to DKK 125 million (approximately €16.8 million), this framework represented a significant opportunity for IT consultancy firms. The cancellation means that the universities will need to find alternative ways to secure consultancy resources for the Nyt SIS Programme.

For the eight bidders, the cancellation represents a lost opportunity to secure a stable, multi-year revenue stream. However, the universities are likely to re-tender the framework once the programme's needs are clarified, providing a second chance for interested suppliers.

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the procurement now cancelled, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: The framework is likely to be re-tendered once the programme's needs are clarified
• Ad-hoc contracts: The universities may issue ad-hoc contracts for specific consultancy needs
• Other IT projects: The universities may have other IT consultancy needs beyond the Nyt SIS Programme
• Other public sector opportunities: Similar IT consultancy frameworks are conducted by other Danish public bodies

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this procurement is cancelled, future opportunities exist for IT consultancy firms:

• Re-tender: The framework is likely to be re-tendered—prepare for a second round
• Market engagement: Engage with the universities to understand their evolving needs
• Specialist expertise: Develop expertise in student administration systems and public sector IT
• Other universities: Danish universities may have other IT consultancy needs
• Ad-hoc contracts: The universities may issue ad-hoc contracts for immediate needs

What Businesses Should Watch

• Re-tendering of this framework by DTU and the Nyt SIS Programme
• Updates to the Nyt SIS Programme's requirements and timeline
• Other IT consultancy tenders from Danish universities
• Changes to Danish public procurement regulations
• Emerging technologies in student administration systems

DenmarkTender Procurement Intelligence

This cancelled procurement is a valuable case study in public sector IT procurement. Several lessons can be drawn:

• Flexibility is essential: Large-scale IT programmes often evolve, and procurement must be flexible enough to adapt
• Market engagement: Early market engagement can help align procurement with supplier capabilities
• Quality focus: The 60% quality weighting reflects a mature approach to IT procurement, valuing expertise over lowest price
• Collaborative procurement: Seven universities collaborating on a single framework demonstrates effective public sector cooperation

Despite the cancellation, the strong bidder interest (eight bids per lot) suggests that the market is ready and willing to support the Nyt SIS Programme. The universities should re-tender once their needs are clarified.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Sector expertise: Demonstrating deep understanding of the university sector (20% of evaluation)
• Competencies and methods: Showing strong competencies, methods, and tools (40% of evaluation)
• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 40% of evaluation
• Market monitoring: Staying informed about public sector IT opportunities

Supplier Takeaways

• Monitor for re-tendering of this framework—it is likely to return in a revised form
• Demonstrate sector insight and knowledge of the university sector (20% of evaluation)
• Show strong competencies, methods, and tools (40% of evaluation)
• Offer competitive pricing—price accounts for 40%
• Engage with the universities to understand their evolving needs
• Develop specialist expertise in student administration systems
• Consider consortia bidding if unable to cover all service areas

Key Takeaways

• Nyt SIS Programme cancelled a DKK 62.5 million IT consultancy framework due to a change in needs
• Two lots covering business analysis, project management, data processing, and testing
• Eight bids received per lot, indicating strong market interest
• Evaluation: Quality (60%) and Price (40%)
• Quality criteria: Sector insight (20%), Competencies/methods/tools (40%)
• Framework would have lasted up to 4 years (2 years + 2 x 12-month extensions)
• Coordinated by DTU on behalf of seven Danish universities
• No contract awarded—procurement cancelled

Conclusion

The cancellation of this IT consultancy framework is a setback for the Nyt SIS Programme, which will now need to find alternative ways to secure the consultancy resources required for the implementation of a new student administration system. However, the strong bidder interest (eight bids per lot) demonstrates that the market is ready and willing to support the programme.

The cancellation also highlights the challenges of large-scale IT transformation projects, where requirements often evolve and procurement must be flexible enough to adapt. The universities are likely to re-tender the framework once their needs are clarified, providing a second chance for interested suppliers.

For IT consultancy firms, the key lesson is to stay engaged with the universities, monitor for re-tendering, and prepare bids that demonstrate deep sector insight, strong competencies, and competitive pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Nyt SIS Programme?

Ans: A collaboration of seven Danish universities to replace the existing "STADS/DANS" student administration system with a new, shared student information system.

Q: What was the value of the framework?

Ans: Estimated DKK 62.5 million (up to DKK 125 million maximum), approximately €8.4 million to €16.8 million.

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: Eight bids for each lot.

Q: Why was the procurement cancelled?

Ans: Due to a change in the programme's needs.

Q: What services were covered?

Ans: Business analysis, project management, data processing (Lot 1) and Testing (Lot 2).

Q: Who were the buyers?

Ans: Seven Danish universities coordinated by DTU.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (60%) – Sector insight (20%), Competencies/methods/tools (40%) – and Price (40%).

Q: Will the framework be re-tendered?

Ans: Likely, once the programme's needs are clarified.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 546488-2026, OJ S 150/2026, published 6 August 2026.