Northumbria University has issued a preliminary market engagement notice as it prepares to replace its legacy campus identity systems with a unified smart card and digital identity platform. The call for input, published on November 7 under the reference T25/0018 — Smart Card & Identity Management, invites suppliers to share best practices and technical insights to inform the upcoming procurement phase.
The university is seeking cloud-based solutions to replace its current ImageBase smart card system (in use since 2015) and the separate identity application MIM, along with a photo-upload tool dating back to 2006. The new system will serve approximately 7,000 staff and 77,000 student accounts, providing secure identity verification, card issuance, and full integration with the university’s joiners-movers-leavers (JML) processes.
Modernizing Campus Identity Infrastructure
The planned upgrade involves a migration from MIFARE Classic 1K technology to the more secure MIFARE DESFire EV3 standard, with an emphasis on interoperability across university systems such as SITS, Oracle HCM, Microsoft Entra, ADFS, and PACOM. The notice also calls for mobile-friendly photo capture and validation, a centralized dashboard for credential management and reporting, and support for mobile credentials and future digital identity options.
Northumbria’s engagement seeks supplier input on delivery models, implementation sequencing, and the reuse of existing hardware, as well as recommendations for aligning the system with the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). Vendors are encouraged to submit feedback through the Delta eSourcing portal by December 2, 2025, using access code 4S99HAJH85. A virtual town hall will take place on November 28, followed by one-on-one supplier sessions scheduled for December 8–10.
Toward Unified Identity Management in Higher Education
The estimated contract value of £1 million (including VAT) and a projected delivery window of May 2026 to April 2028 underscore the scale of the modernization effort. The initiative reflects a broader shift among UK universities toward integrated identity and access management frameworks that merge physical and digital credentials into a single operational ecosystem.
By combining smart card technology, mobile credentialing, and IAM integration, Northumbria aims to strengthen security, streamline access, and prepare for the next generation of campus identity management. The project aligns with trends seen across higher education institutions globally. In recent years, universities from the University of Virginia to Auburn University and the University of Sydney have implemented mobile student ID systems that allow students to use their smartphones for building access, meal payments, and other campus services.
Sources: Find a Tender Service
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
