Award

Splunk

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

23 Jan 2026 at 16:37

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

23 Jan 2026 at 16:28

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Kent has completed the procurement process for the renewal of its existing Splunk software licence with Somerford Associates Limited, a specialist software and consultancy services firm. This direct procurement process, without competition, falls under the legal framework provided by UKPGA 2023/54. It involved a contract award worth £36,889 gross, with the contract period running from 18 February 2026 to 17 February 2027. As both the buyer and supplier are based in the UK, the contract primarily involves services related to software programming and consultancy, specifically within the security information and event management domain. The procurement was conducted below the threshold, highlighting a streamlined approach to secure critical infrastructure services without additional competition.

This tender offers considerable opportunities for businesses specialising in software consultancy and services, particularly those familiar with security information and event management (SIEM) technologies. The partnership with Somerford, an "Elite Splunk Professional Services Partner," underscores the potential for businesses to align with well-established service providers to deliver value-added services, including free training and system health checks. It is ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the technology sector, offering a chance to expand expertise and foster collaborations that can lead to further opportunities with other public authorities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Splunk

Notice Description

Renewal of Kent's existing Splunk software licence with Somerford. Somerford already provide support and led on design and implementation of our Splunk Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) service and can provide extra support and other benefits offered due to their position as an "Elite Splunk Professional Services Partner". Somerford's higher level of partnership gives them (and therefore Kent) access to other services such as free system health checks, free training sessions and access to a free service desk of experienced Splunk engineers. The free training has been used by several members of staff, and the healthcheck sessions have also proved very valuable at no additional cost to Kent. Kents Splunk software licence expires in Feb, and renewal is needed to continue the critical security and monitoring service it provides. PS29684.44 Excl VAT

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060db9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006361-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£36,889 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
18 Feb 2026 - 17 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@kent.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CANTERBURY
Postcode
CT2 7NZ
Post Town
Canterbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ44 East Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Canterbury
Electoral Ward
Blean Forest
Westminster Constituency
Canterbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SOMERFORD ASSOCIATES

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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