The verdict in three sentences
Redesigning a local authority website means running a public tender whose form depends on thresholds and lotting. Accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1 AA) is a legal duty, not an option, and must be stated in black and white in the tender rules. In 2026, budget 25,000 to 120,000 EUR, use weighted criteria (often technical 60% / price 40%) and a multi-year maintenance contract.
Thresholds, procedure and 2026 budget
The estimated value determines the procedure. Choosing the wrong procedure exposes the contract to legal challenge.
| Estimated value (EUR) | Indicative procedure | Publicity |
|---|---|---|
| < 40,000 | Direct award / quotes | Not mandatory |
| 40,000 – 143,000 | Below-threshold procedure | Buyer portal |
| > 143,000 | Formal procedure | Official journal |
| Authority type | 2026 website budget (EUR) | Timeline |
| Small district < 10,000 res. | 25,000 – 45,000 | 3–5 months |
| Mid-size borough | 45,000 – 80,000 | 4–7 months |
| County / metro authority | 80,000 – 120,000+ | 6–10 months |
Lotting, accessibility and criteria
Lotting (design, development, content, maintenance) widens competition but complicates management. Accessibility compliance must be verified through an accessibility statement and an acceptance audit.
| Element | 2026 requirement | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | WCAG 2.1 AA | Audit + statement |
| Open data | Contract data publication | Buyer portal |
| Technical criteria | 60% | Technical memo |
| Price criterion | 40% | Priced schedule |
| Maintenance | 3–4 years renewable | Contractual SLA |
| Reversibility | Data hand-back | Contract clause |
Mini case study
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Mark, digital lead of a borough of 18,000 residents near London, launches a below-threshold tender to rebuild the citizen portal. Estimated budget: 62,000 EUR. He splits it into two lots (design-development / 4-year maintenance). With a 60/40 weighting, the 58,000 EUR bid (full technical memo, audited accessibility commitment) beats a 49,000 EUR bid judged under-scoped on accessibility. Over 4 years, maintenance at 9,000 EUR/year brings the total cost to roughly 94,000 EUR, budgeted as capital plus operating spend.
FAQ
Is accessibility really mandatory for a local authority? Yes. Public bodies must make their digital services accessible and publish a compliance statement. Failing to comply exposes them to sanctions and litigation risk.
Must the contract be split into lots? Lotting is the default principle in public procurement. You can derogate with justification (technical coherence, coordination cost), but the choice must be documented in the tender papers.
What price/technical weighting should I choose? For a public site, 60% technical / 40% price is common in 2026: it values accessibility, security and content migration over price alone.
How long does the procedure take? Expect 6 to 10 weeks from publication to award for a below-threshold procedure, longer for a formal one. Add a build time of 3 to 10 months.
What should the maintenance lot include? A 3- to 4-year contract with an SLA (99.9% uptime, response times) and a reversibility clause guaranteeing data hand-back at contract end.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your authority type, estimated envelope and accessibility constraints, and we'll help structure your tender rules and criteria. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
