Planning

Framework Agreement for Servers, Storage, High Performance Computing & Managed Infrastructure

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SUMS)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

26 Feb 2026 at 17:01

PlanningUpdate

26 Feb 2026 at 13:30

Planning

01 Apr 2025 at 10:11

Summary of the contracting process

Southern Universities Management Services (SUMS), located in Reading, is progressing through the planning stage for a procurement process as of 26 February 2026. This pertains to the upcoming Framework Agreement concerning Servers, Storage, High Performance Computing, and Managed Infrastructure. The initiative falls under the goods procurement category with additional focus on services, aimed at the public authority under sub-central government. Industry categories include computer equipment and services. SUMS is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement, soliciting insights from prospective suppliers to shape the new Framework Agreement's specifications and strategy. Interested suppliers must return questionnaires by 26 March 2026. The Framework Agreement offers a maximum four-year term beginning February 2027, operating on a basis that allows for two optional extensions, each of one year.

This tender represents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for SMEs specialising in computer equipment, high-performance computing solutions, IT infrastructure services, and cloud integration. The Framework proposes to cater extensive network server and storage solutions, thereby providing a robust platform for businesses offering these commodities and services. With a gross estimated procurement value of £3,600 million, companies supporting teaching and learning environments, research computing, and enterprise IT services will find this tender particularly attractive and valuable for expansion. The flexible procurement method allows collaborative and service-oriented growth, endorsing sustainable digital infrastructure, thus presenting lucrative opportunities for companies well-acquainted with the sector's dynamics.

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Notice Title

Framework Agreement for Servers, Storage, High Performance Computing & Managed Infrastructure

Notice Description

The Southern Universities Procurement Consortium ("SUPC") is acting as lead organisation on behalf of the universities, further education colleges and other organisations which are members of the consortium ("Members"). SUPC is part of The SUMS Group ("SUPC"). As a centralised procurement authority for universities and further education colleges as well as other not-for-profit and public sector organisations, SUPC develops and manages framework agreements. Members have access to a wide range of professionally tendered agreements compliant with the Procurement Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023. By using our agreements, Members can purchase competitively priced goods and services across a variety of commodity areas. The current Servers, Storage and Solutions National Agreement ("SSSNA") put in place by SUPC is due to expire on 31 January 2027. In addition, the initial term of the current High-Performance Computing Framework Agreement ("HPC") put in place by SUPC expires 31 August 2027. The new Framework Agreement for Servers, Storage, High Performance Computing and Managed Infrastructure is the proposed replacement for these existing framework agreements. The scope of the new Framework Agreement will include: - on-premise compute infrastructure solutions - servers - storage platforms - research and high-performance computing solutions - associated implementation and lifecycle services including support - infrastructure as a service and managed service offerings, either on-premise or hosted. The Framework is intended to support: - teaching and learning environments - research computing - enterprise IT services and platforms - hybrid and cloud-integrated architectures - secure and sustainable digital infrastructure. The proposed Framework term is 2 years with 2 optional 12 month extension options (maximum term of 4 years). The proposed Lots for the new Framework are as follows: - Lot 1: Commodity Servers and Components - Lot 2: Enterprise Infrastructure and Storage Solutions - Lot 3: High-Performance Computing and Research Compute Solutions - Lot 4: Managed Infrastructure and Consumption Services The new Framework will introduce a number of improvements, including but not limited to, the ability to procure infrastructure delivered as a service including hosted services rather than ownership.

Planning Information

1) SUPC intends to conduct Preliminary Market Engagement ("PME") with the market through this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice with a view to sharing information and seeking input from the market to inform and shape current thinking and assist SUPC in its procurement plans and approach for the new Framework Agreement. 2) In addition, SUPC is providing potential suppliers the opportunity to review an Outline Specification for the new Framework Agreement via a PME Questionnaire. Questionnaires should be returned by midday on 26 March 2026 in order that we can consider comments in advance of any formal procurement processes. These documents can be accessed on SUPCs Mercell eSourcing Portal in accordance with the instructions below and completed questionnaires must be returned via the eSourcing Portal. 3) Respondents can indicate within the questionnaire if they are open to a follow up meeting. Please note that due to time and resource constraints, it may not be possible for SUPC to meet with all interested suppliers. Further information can be found in the PME Questionnaire. 4) In addition to the above, a separate questionnaire will be issued to existing Framework Suppliers seeking feedback on the current frameworks and their use by Members. 5) Please be advised that the estimated value of this requirement cannot be derived until the completion of the Preliminary Market Engagement activities. Accordingly, the estimated total value above is indicative only. The main category is currently envisaged to be Goods, however this also cannot be finalised until completion of the PME activities. 6) Interested organisations should note that the procurement strategy, lotting, timetable and commercial model have not been finalised at this stage. SUPC will collate and analyse the responses received. Responses may be used to develop and scope the procurement strategy, commercial model, process and specification including lotting. SUPC will make a final decision on the procurement strategy, commercial model, lots and content of the procurement documentation, having considered feedback. SUPC reserves the right to divide the scope into different lots for bidding purposes and/or carve out some elements of the scope and procure these separately. 7) Disclaimer. This Preliminary Market Engagement is intended solely to gather market insights and inform future scoping for the potential framework. It does not represent a solicitation, request for proposal, or commitment to proceed with any procurement process. No contractual or financial obligations arise from participation in this engagement. All decisions remain subject to internal approvals and applicable policies. Non-Commitment: This is not a tender and does not guarantee a future procurement. No Advantage/Disadvantage: Engagement (or lack of) does not influence any subsequent tender evaluation. Engagement also does not guarantee participation in the procurement process. Accuracy Liability: The information provided is for Market Research only. Rights Reserved: SUPC reserve the right to change the process or abandon the procurement altogether, should they wish to. 8) To access this Preliminary Market Engagement opportunity, please click on the following link. https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=102939&TID=100108146&B= Alternatively, please click on https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=SUPC and on the left click on 'Current tender opportunities'. The resulting opportunities will be listed below. From the list, click on the Framework name, this will open the PME opportunity. If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the PME documentation and being able to submit your response. Please click on https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=SUPC and in the centre of the screen click on 'New supplier registration'. Please contact uksupport@eu-supply.com in the event that you experience any issues with registering or accessing this opportunity on the Portal.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fb24
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017588-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

48 - Software package and information systems

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

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

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies

30210000 - Data-processing machines (hardware)

30211100 - Super computer

30211300 - Computer platforms

30233000 - Media storage and reader devices

30233100 - Computer storage units

30233140 - Direct-access storage devices (DASD)

30233141 - Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID)

30233180 - Flash memory storage devices

30234000 - Storage media

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48782000 - Storage management software package

48800000 - Information systems and servers

48820000 - Servers

48821000 - Network servers

48822000 - Computer servers

48823000 - File servers

48824000 - Printer servers

48825000 - Web servers

50312000 - Maintenance and repair of computer equipment

50312600 - Maintenance and repair of information technology equipment

51000000 - Installation services (except software)

51610000 - Installation services of computers and information-processing equipment

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

72300000 - Data services

72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

80533100 - Computer training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000,000 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SUMS)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG6 6BU
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Wokingham
Electoral Ward
Hillside
Westminster Constituency
Earley and Woodley

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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