Planning

Student Loans Company requirement for IBM Power and Storage

STUDENT LOANS COMPANY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Nov 2025 at 08:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Student Loans Company, a public authority operating under the central government, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for IBM Power and Storage. This tender involves the acquisition of hardware, specifically data-processing machines, classified under CPV code 30210000. The procurement is being conducted under the Technology Products & Associated Services 2 framework, Lot 2, with a gross budget of £3,000,000. The delivery is set to take place in the United Kingdom, with a planned contract period from 1st December 2025 to 30th November 2030. A market engagement notice was published on 24th November 2025, and future notice updates are expected by 25th November 2025.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for firms specialising in technology products and services, particularly those with expertise in data-processing hardware. Businesses registered within the CCS framework RM6098 Lot 2 will find this procurement particularly relevant, offering potential for long-term service and maintenance agreements through 2030. Companies that can provide robust mid-range solutions with advanced specifications such as those outlined in the procurement details, including 96 core processors and substantial DDR5 Memory packages, will be well-positioned to compete for this contract. Engaging in this tender could bolster a company's portfolio by aligning with a prominent public sector client like the Student Loans Company.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Student Loans Company requirement for IBM Power and Storage

Notice Description

This is a retrospective notice to verify Student Loans Company undertook premarket engagement with regards to their tender for IBM Power. All companies registered under Technology Products & Associated Services 2 (RM6098) Lot 2 (Hardware) have been contacted to confirm expressions of interest for the following hardware requirements. 4 x E1050 - Midrange solution, each with: 96 Cores Installed / 27 Cores Active 3TB DDR5 Memory AIX Operating System 5 Years Hardware and Software Maintenance (Advanced ExpertCare) + 100,000 ECOD Days

Planning Information

Companies registered on CCS framework RM6098 Lot 2 were issued an expression of interest on 01/07/2025, closing 15/07/2025, via Delta ESourcing. The questionnaire included an initial specification which has altered slightly to that published during the further competition.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e6d6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076260-2025
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

30210000 - Data-processing machines (hardware)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Nov 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2025 - 30 Nov 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
STUDENT LOANS COMPANY
Contact Name
Kenneth McKay
Contact Email
kenneth_mckay@slc.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL1 1RW
Post Town
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Red Hall & Lingfield
Westminster Constituency
Darlington

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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