Planning

Request for Information - Research Data Storage (RDS) Housekeeping tool

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

31 Jul 2025 at 08:54

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Manchester is in the planning stages of a procurement process aimed at acquiring a Research Data Storage (RDS) Housekeeping tool. This Request for Information (RFI) pertains to an unstructured data management tool that will aid in the management and analysis of research data stored on Dell EMC Powerscale/Isilon, totalling 10PB of data. The key focus of this process is to identify and manage metadata, such as data ownership and condition, to optimise storage solutions. The engagement is set to conclude on the 21st of August, 2025. The procurement falls under the 'Data Services' industry category, classified with the CPV code 72300000, and is located in Manchester, England. The process is in the planning stage and is not a formal bid request, as it seeks information only.

The RFI presents potential growth opportunities for businesses specialising in data management and storage solutions, especially those adept in handling large datasets and complex metadata analysis. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE) are indicated as suitable contenders for this opportunity. Due to the University of Manchester's status as an institution receiving public funds, there is an emphasis on managing expenditure effectively and seeking value for money, which firms with competitive and innovative solutions can exploit. Information and requirements will be made available through the University's procurement portal, allowing interested businesses easy access to participation.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information - Research Data Storage (RDS) Housekeeping tool

Notice Description

The University is undertaking a project to purchase an unstructured data management tool to assist us in carrying out "housekeeping" on the files/folders stored within our Research Data Storage (RDS). RDS is on Dell EMC Powerscale/Isilon. We need to scan and analyse the metadata belonging to 10PB of research data (~ 3.5 billion files). The tool will assist in identification of, for example, the owners, whether the data is cold or warm, duplicate and orphan data. It will allow us to tag files/folders with tags such as "cold", "retain-until-2040", "faculty", "school", "classification". The tool will allow us to move data to our new, tape, cold storage platform. The University of Manchester no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice Additional information: Information, formalities and necessary requirements to be met will be set out in the procurement documents, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity Please note - This process is not a formal request for bids. The RFI may ask for prices/costs but this is for information purposes only at this stage. The publication of this RFI does not commit the University to any procurement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-a44393a8-3740-409d-94c8-923026d5a7cf
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ab64bac7-a362-4aeb-8f41-a204557166e3
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72300000 - Data services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
21 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M13 9PL
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Hulme
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Rusholme

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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