Planning

Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)

GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL (GMC)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Mar 2026 at 15:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The General Medical Council (GMC), a public authority within the sub-central government located in Manchester, UK, is initiating a pre-market engagement exercise to modernise its existing Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure with a Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution. The procurement, currently at the planning stage, anticipates the publication of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) in April 2026. This project aims to enhance the GMC's network capabilities across its seven primary sites by implementing a scalable and secure architecture that improves management and traffic optimisation. Suppliers interested in this opportunity are encouraged to engage by 31st March 2026, offering insights into the latest SD-WAN technologies and indicative cost models.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies with expertise in multi-site SD-WAN solutions and computer network services. Enterprises experienced in delivering resilient network architectures, including advanced security and integration, would be particularly well-suited to bid for this contract. The likely fixed-term service contract, valued at approximately £1.29 million after taxes, with potential extensions, offers an attractive prospect for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The project allows businesses to showcase innovative solutions aligning with current market standards while engaging with the GMC's evolving digital requirements.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)

Notice Description

1. Description of the Procurement The GMC is initiating a pre-market engagement exercise regarding the replacement of its existing Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure. Our current contractual arrangements are nearing their end of life, providing an opportunity to modernise our network capabilities. We are seeking to transition to a high-performance, integrated SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) solution to be deployed across all seven (7) primary company sites. The goal is to implement a resilient, scalable, and secure architecture that supports our evolving digital requirements, improves centralised management, and optimises traffic flow between sites and cloud services. 2. Purpose of the Engagement The primary objective of this engagement is to inform the final procurement strategy and technical specification. Specifically, the company aims to: - Gain Technical Insight: Understand the latest developments in SD-WAN technology, including security integrations (SASE/SSE) and hardware vs. software-based deployment models. - Refine Specifications: Ensure the formal Invitation to Tender (ITT) contains realistic, non-restrictive technical requirements that align with current market standards. - Validate Feasibility: Gather feedback on the proposed project timelines, implementation risks, and service level expectations. Also, if permitted: - Inform Budgeting: Obtain indicative cost models (Capex vs. Opex) to ensure internal financial alignment. 3. Anticipated Procurement Timelines The GMC is currently in the pre-procurement phase. Based on the feedback received during this engagement: - Estimated Publication of ITT: April 2026 - Contract Type: Likely a Fixed-Term Service Contract with options to extend.

Planning Information

GMC will undertake targeted engagement. Suppliers with proven experience in delivering multi-site SD-WAN solutions are invited to express their interest at gmctenders@gmc-uk.org

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06658c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020986-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72700000 - Computer network services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,292,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2029 3-4 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
GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL (GMC)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M3 3AW
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06658c-2026-03-09T15:15:36Z",
    "date": "2026-03-09T15:15:36Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06658c",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PXLD-1125-PGBY",
            "name": "General Medical Council (GMC)",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PXLD-1125-PGBY"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "3 Hardman Street",
                "locality": "Manchester",
                "postalCode": "M3 3AW",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD33"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "gmctenders@gmc-uk.org"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.gmc-uk.org",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PXLD-1125-PGBY",
        "name": "General Medical Council (GMC)"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "GMC will undertake targeted engagement. Suppliers with proven experience in delivering multi-site SD-WAN solutions are invited to express their interest at gmctenders@gmc-uk.org",
                "dueDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "020986-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020986-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-09T15:15:36Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "GMC2460",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)",
        "description": "1. Description of the Procurement The GMC is initiating a pre-market engagement exercise regarding the replacement of its existing Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure. Our current contractual arrangements are nearing their end of life, providing an opportunity to modernise our network capabilities. We are seeking to transition to a high-performance, integrated SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) solution to be deployed across all seven (7) primary company sites. The goal is to implement a resilient, scalable, and secure architecture that supports our evolving digital requirements, improves centralised management, and optimises traffic flow between sites and cloud services. 2. Purpose of the Engagement The primary objective of this engagement is to inform the final procurement strategy and technical specification. Specifically, the company aims to: - Gain Technical Insight: Understand the latest developments in SD-WAN technology, including security integrations (SASE/SSE) and hardware vs. software-based deployment models. - Refine Specifications: Ensure the formal Invitation to Tender (ITT) contains realistic, non-restrictive technical requirements that align with current market standards. - Validate Feasibility: Gather feedback on the proposed project timelines, implementation risks, and service level expectations. Also, if permitted: - Inform Budgeting: Obtain indicative cost models (Capex vs. Opex) to ensure internal financial alignment. 3. Anticipated Procurement Timelines The GMC is currently in the pre-procurement phase. Based on the feedback received during this engagement: - Estimated Publication of ITT: April 2026 - Contract Type: Likely a Fixed-Term Service Contract with options to extend.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72700000",
                        "description": "Computer network services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1550000,
            "amount": 1292000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-07-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-06-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-20T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}