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Azure Cloud SaaS

Northumbria University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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07 Feb 2026 at 10:05

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Northumbria, located in Newcastle upon Tyne, has completed a procurement process under the JISC OCRE 2024 Cloud Framework, awarding a contract to Softcat PLC for the provision of Azure Cloud SaaS services. The procurement, classified under the "services" category, focused on application service providers. The aim is to enhance resource efficiency, lower cloud expenses, and establish sustainable financial management within the university's Azure cloud environment. This contract covers support for various digital areas, including Azure Entra ID, the Corporate Website & Student Portal, the UNN Integration Platform, Learning Analytics & MS Fabric, and Research Web Hosting. The contract, valued at GBP 1,890,000 and signed on 20th October 2025, follows the award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, which is outside the scope of application of the directive.

This procurement creates significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies proficient in Azure FinOps and cloud cost optimisation. Softcat PLC's successful bid demonstrates the value placed on expertise in delivering enterprise-level cost savings and resource management. Businesses specialising in cloud financial operations and technology services would find this project particularly relevant, allowing them to showcase their capabilities in high-demand areas such as cloud infrastructure and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. The involvement of a large-scale supplier like Softcat PLC indicates the scope and sophistication required in tackling this kind of opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Azure Cloud SaaS

Notice Description

The University of Northumbria awarded a Contract for provision of comprehensive Azure FinOps (Cloud Financial Operations) and cost optimisation services. The primary goal of this engagement is to improve resource efficiency, reduce cloud expenditure, and establish a sustainable financial management framework for our growing Azure cloud environment. The scope of the Azure support includes several critical areas of the university's digital ecosystem. * Azure Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) * Corporate Website & Student Portal * UNN Integration Platform * Learning Analytics & MS Fabric * Research Web Hosting The Supplier demonstrated proven expertise in Azure FinOps and a strong track record of delivering measurable cost savings for enterprise-level clients.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University of Northumbria awarded a Contract for provision of comprehensive Azure FinOps (Cloud Financial Operations) and cost optimisation services. The primary goal of this engagement is to improve resource efficiency, reduce cloud expenditure, and establish a sustainable financial management framework for our growing Azure cloud environment. The scope of the Azure support includes several critical areas of the university's digital ecosystem. * Azure Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) * Corporate Website & Student Portal * UNN Integration Platform * Learning Analytics & MS Fabric * Research Web Hosting The Supplier demonstrated proven expertise in Azure FinOps and a strong track record of delivering measurable cost savings for enterprise-level clients. This procurement conducted under JISC OCRE 2024 Cloud Framework Additional information: This procurement conducted under JISC OCRE 2024 Cloud Framework

Procurement Information

This procurement conducted under JISC OCRE 2024 Cloud Framework

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064ab4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011195-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72416000 - Application service providers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,890,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Oct 202510 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Northumbria University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE1 8ST
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Monument
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Softcat PLC

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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