Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

VMWare Virtual Servers

OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

03 Jul 2026 at 14:23

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Open University, based in Milton Keynes, has completed the procurement process for the "VMWare Virtual Servers" contract, classified under the servers industry category. The process involved a selective procurement method, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement, with the total contract value amounting to £1,737,805.82. The process reached the award stage, culminating in the contract being awarded to Softcat PLC, and its active contract period spans from 23rd June 2026 to 22nd June 2029. The procurement addressed the continued use and support of virtual server infrastructure, with delivery expected in Milton Keynes (postal code MK7 6AA).

This tender represents substantial growth opportunities for businesses in the IT infrastructure sector, particularly those capable of providing comprehensive support services for virtual server environments. Large enterprises, like Softcat PLC, with the resources to fulfil framework agreements, would find this an ideal opportunity due to its scale and the specialised nature of goods required. While the procurement does not directly accommodate SMEs or VCSEs, it highlights the potential for specialised companies to leverage existing infrastructure capabilities to secure long-term contracts with major educational institutions like The Open University.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

VMWare Virtual Servers

Notice Description

Upgraded subscription for the continued use and support of the virtual server infrastructure.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-cdaca604-6072-4a92-a7e9-a813cc7646dd
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6bd42559-9ca9-47c0-89e6-89cfb09efbed
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48820000 - Servers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,737,805 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,737,805 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Jun 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
22 Jun 2026 - 22 Jun 2029 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
OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

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

JSON Markdown

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-cdaca604-6072-4a92-a7e9-a813cc7646dd-2026-07-03T15:23:51+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-03T15:23:51+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-cdaca604-6072-4a92-a7e9-a813cc7646dd",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "OUPA11572",
        "title": "VMWare Virtual Servers",
        "description": "Upgraded subscription for the continued use and support of the virtual server infrastructure.",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "48820000",
            "description": "Servers"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "postalCode": "MK7 6AA"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 1737805.82,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Call-off from a framework agreement",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-22T23:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-06-23T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2029-06-22T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": false,
            "vcse": false
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/3TQF8m8D",
            "name": "OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)",
                "scheme": "GB-SRS",
                "id": "sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/3TQF8m8D"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "THE OPEN UNIVERSITY",
                "locality": "MILTON KEYNES",
                "postalCode": "MK76AA",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Procurement Services",
                "email": "Finance-tenders@open.ac.uk",
                "telephone": "01908655814"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-02465350",
            "name": "Softcat PLC",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Softcat PLC",
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "02465350"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Solar House, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LW UK"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/3TQF8m8D",
        "name": "OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-cdaca604-6072-4a92-a7e9-a813cc7646dd-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2026-06-18T00:00:00+01:00",
            "datePublished": "2026-07-03T15:23:51+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amount": 1737805,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-02465350",
                    "name": "Softcat PLC"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-06-23T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2029-06-22T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6bd42559-9ca9-47c0-89e6-89cfb09efbed",
                    "datePublished": "2026-07-03T15:23:51+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}