Award

Azure Cloud SaaS

NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Feb 2026 at 16:30

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Northumbria has awarded a contract titled "Azure Cloud SaaS" to Softcat PLC, focusing on Azure FinOps and cost optimisation services within the application service providers sector. This procurement process, classified under the CPV code 72416000, aims to enhance resource efficiency and reduce cloud expenditure. Services are to be provided in the North East of the United Kingdom, covering various university digital systems such as Azure Entra ID and UNN Integration Platform. The award stage of the procurement was completed with the contract valued at £1,890,000, set to run from 1st November 2025 to 31st October 2028. The procurement method was specified as "Other," indicating an alternative approach tailored to the buyer's requirements.

This contract presents substantial business growth opportunities, especially for large-scale enterprises with expertise in Azure FinOps and a track record of delivering measurable cost savings at an enterprise level. Technology firms specialising in cloud financial management and efficiency optimisation can leverage this tender to establish partnerships within the education sector. Although not prioritised for small or medium enterprises (SMEs) or voluntary and community sector enterprises (VCSEs), businesses with significant experience in managing digital ecosystems for large institutions may find advantageous prospects in fulfilling the comprehensive and strategic needs outlined in the contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Azure Cloud SaaS

Notice Description

The University of Northumbria awarded a Contract for provision of comprehensive Azure FinOps (Cloud Financial Operations) and cost optimisation services. The primary goal of this engagement is to improve resource efficiency, reduce cloud expenditure, and establish a sustainable financial management framework for our growing Azure cloud environment. The scope of the Azure support includes several critical areas of the university's digital ecosystem. * Azure Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) * Corporate Website & Student Portal * UNN Integration Platform * Learning Analytics & MS Fabric * Research Web Hosting The Supplier demonstrated proven expertise in Azure FinOps and a strong track record of delivering measurable cost savings for enterprise-level clients.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-71224a7c-a3b7-491a-8f96-e4fb8bbaf4ff
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a7e569c7-6b75-45d4-b117-be4c491bcfe3
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other -
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72416000 - Application service providers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,890,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,890,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
19 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
laura.rizaeva@northumbria.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+441912326002

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE1 8ST
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Monument
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SOFTCAT

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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