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ID 6421140 - DoF - IT Assist - Provision and Support of a Server Patch Management Solution

Department of Finance

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

28 Sep 2026 at 13:51

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 17:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Finance, through IT Assist, sought a server patch management solution to patch around 2,400 servers. The requirement covers supplying and supporting the software, which will be used to manage patching across virtual and physical server infrastructure. IT Assist provides shared IT systems and services for Northern Ireland’s nine Civil Service departments and around 40 arm’s-length organisations, serving approximately 28,000 staff and customers. Delivery is for users and infrastructure across Northern Ireland. This is a software and related IT support services requirement, rather than a purchase of server hardware.

The buyer invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure, using a selective process. The tender was subsequently terminated after an earlier procurement exercise resulted in no compliant tender responses. The tender deadline was 26 August 2026 at 15:00, and the deadline for enquiries was 18 August 2026 at 15:00. The planned contract period ran from 14 September 2026 to 10 October 2029, with two possible extensions of up to 12 months each, subject to review and satisfactory performance. Estimated value was £225,000 excluding VAT (£270,000 including VAT). Evaluation weighted price at 80%, usability, user experience and accessibility at 10%, and service delivery and contract management at 10%. The highest-scoring compliant bidder would have had to demonstrate specified technical requirements.

The requirement was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. It is relevant to software suppliers able to provide and support server patch management across a substantial mixed virtual and physical server estate, with the service delivery and contract management capability to support a large public-sector user base across Northern Ireland. Bidders needed a solution that could satisfy the technical requirements in the specification and be demonstrated against the requirements selected for verification. The buyer’s stated risks included adapting future licence requirements as priorities change and avoiding delays to service delivery, so suppliers with dependable implementation and support arrangements, and experience responding to changing licensing needs, would be well placed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

ID 6421140 - DoF - IT Assist - Provision and Support of a Server Patch Management Solution

Notice Description

IT Assist require the provision of a Server Patch Management Tool to patch approximately 2400 servers. IT Assist (The Buyer) has responsibility for the delivery of common IT systems and services to support the business objectives of the 9 Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Departments and approximately 40 Arms-Length organisations. Services are delivered to approximately 28000 NICS staff and customers located across Northern Ireland. The Buyer is responsible for the hosting, administration and maintenance of both virtual and physical server infrastructure. It is anticipated the Contract will be awarded in September 2026, with a 2 week implementation period prior to the Licencing period commencing on 11th October 2026 for an initial period of 3 years with the option to extend for 2 further periods of up to 12 months each for the supply and delivery of a patch management system. Please see document entitled "ID 6421140 - Specification" for full details of the requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Following the initial contract period, there are 2 potential extension periods of up to 12 months each. Optional extension periods will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d954
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091450-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48700000 - Software package utilities

48800000 - Information systems and servers

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

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£225,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£225,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
26 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Sep 2026 - 10 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-07-31

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department of Finance
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT3 9ED
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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