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CA18608 - Switch Architecture Refresh

BMet College

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

27 Oct 2026 at 16:42

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

BMet College is buying a refresh of its network switch infrastructure for its Birmingham college. The requirement covers the supply, implementation, support and maintenance of switch equipment and associated services, split between switch hardware and support arrangements. The proposed solution must use the HPE Aruba equipment specified for the procurement; the college will not consider alternative manufacturers, substitute or equivalent products, refurbished or reconditioned equipment, or equipment from another vendor. This is a network equipment supply and implementation opportunity, rather than a general-purpose IT services contract. The stated delivery postcode is B4 7PS in Birmingham, with the procurement also listing the United Kingdom and several other locations, including Europe and the rest of the world.

The buyer invited tenders through an open procedure. The process reached the tender stage, with offers invited for the two lots: switch hardware and support arrangements. The stated estimated value is £745,562. The tender submission deadline was 23 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The contract period was set to run from 31 December 2026 to 26 February 2027. No enquiry deadline or evaluation criteria are provided in the procurement details. The opportunity is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Bidders should assess the two lots against their own offer, noting that the requirement is restricted to the specified HPE Aruba equipment and that alternative or refurbished products will not be considered.

This opportunity suits suppliers able to provide the specified HPE Aruba switch equipment and deliver the associated implementation, support and maintenance. Businesses competing for the hardware lot will need to supply the equipment specified for the college’s network refresh; those targeting the support arrangements lot will need to provide support services for that infrastructure. Suppliers able to cover both hardware and lifecycle services may find both parts relevant, while specialist hardware or support providers can focus on their respective lot. The college explicitly welcomes SME participation. The strict manufacturer and product requirements make this unsuitable for vendors whose offer relies on competing brands, equivalents, or refurbished and reconditioned equipment. The procurement’s stated delivery location is in Birmingham, so suppliers should be able to serve the college there.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

CA18608 - Switch Architecture Refresh

Notice Description

You are invited to submit a Tender for the provision of a Network Switch Refresh for Birmingham Metropolitan College. The contract relates solely to the supply, support, implementation and maintenance of the switch infrastructure equipment and services detailed within this Invitation to Tender and associated pricing schedule. The proposed solution must be based solely upon the HPE Aruba equipment specified within this Tender documentation. Alternative manufacturers, substitute products, equivalent solutions, refurbished equipment, reconditioned equipment, or equipment from any other vendor will not be considered under any circumstances. Includes Lots: Lot 1: Switch Hardware Lot 2: Support Arrangements To access this competition: Registered: Login to https://suppliers.multiquote.com and view the opportunity CA18608. Not registered: Visit https://suppliers.multiquote.com then register and quote CA18608 as the reason for registration. Any queries please contact MultiQuote on 020 3920 8054.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eaed1d16-d131-44e7-b910-a4da65b6878c
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32400000 - Networks

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£745,562 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
23 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Dec 2026 - 26 Feb 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BMet College
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7PS
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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