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Palo Alto Contract Variation

Coventry University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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21 Aug 2026 at 17:11

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Coventry University procured a Palo Alto PA3220 firewall licence bundle for network security at its Hudson site in Coventry. The requirement covers renewing firewall licences under support, including the bundled Precision AI subscription and continuing access to dynamically updated security signatures. The firewall protects the site’s internet-facing perimeter and supports the university’s core business against cyber threats such as hacking attempts, ransomware and viruses. This is a technology goods requirement within the software and information-systems category. The buyer is Coventry University, an education body governed by public law. Delivery is associated with the university’s Hudson site in Coventry, with the procurement recorded as covering the United Kingdom. The requirement is focused on Palo Alto firewall licensing and related security support rather than general cybersecurity consultancy or wider IT services.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a limited procedure without prior publication of a competition. One bid was recorded. The award was made to CDW Ltd, and the contract was signed on 7 August 2026. The contract value is £74,433.72 including the published currency of GBP. The requirement was evaluated on price. The procurement rationale records the use of the incumbent contracted partner, renewal discounts and multi-year pricing protection, with licensing aligned to the PA3220 firewall’s end-of-life date of 31 August 2028. One lot was used, although its recorded status is cancelled while the overall tender and award are complete. The award is active and the contract is active. The procedure was justified by protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights.

This requirement is commercially relevant to suppliers able to provide Palo Alto PA3220 firewall licence renewals and associated manufacturer-backed support, including the bundled Precision AI subscription. Credible competitors would need access to the Palo Alto licensing and support channel, and the ability to maintain continuous perimeter protection through regular signature updates. Experience supporting enterprise or higher-education network environments would be relevant, particularly where service continuity and protection from hacking attempts, ransomware and viruses are essential. Suppliers should also be able to manage renewal pricing, negotiate multi-year protections and align licence terms with hardware lifecycle and end-of-life constraints. The award indicates that Coventry University values a cost-effective bundled security service, continuity with an incumbent partner and a supplier able to reduce the operational disruption and change costs associated with replacing the existing arrangement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Palo Alto Contract Variation

Notice Description

The PA3220 Palo Alto firewall licence bundle provides essential network security for Coventry University's Hudson site core business. Without the ability to renew the firewall licences under support, CU is potentially vulnerable to new cyberthreats or exploits such as hacking attempts, ransomware and viruses. The firewall needs to dynamically update its signatures every 30 minutes to provide robust protection at the perimeter (facing the internet). Leveraged renewal pricing and supplier negotiation by engaging with CDW and Palo Alto to secure incumbent renewal discounts and explore multi-year pricing protections, particularly ahead of EOL timelines. Retention of the bundled" Precision AI" subscription provides a cost effective alternative to purchasing individual security services separately. Alignment of contract term with lifecycle and ensuring the licensing term aligns with the firewall end-of-life date (31/08/2028) to avoid overpaying beyond usable service life. The best value for money has been secured utilising the incumbent contracted partner, CDW Limited. The cost and time of change would be a challenge if a competitive procurement exercise was conducted.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The PA3220 Palo Alto firewall licence bundle provides essential network security for Coventry University's Hudson site core business. Without the ability to renew the firewall licences under support, CU is potentially vulnerable to new cyberthreats or exploits such as hacking attempts, ransomware and viruses. The firewall needs to dynamically update its signatures every 30 minutes to provide robust protection at the perimeter (facing the internet). Leveraged renewal pricing and supplier negotiation by engaging with CDW and Palo Alto to secure incumbent renewal discounts and explore multi-year pricing protections, particularly ahead of EOL timelines. Retention of the bundled" Precision AI" subscription provides a cost effective alternative to purchasing individual security services separately. Alignment of contract term with lifecycle and ensuring the licensing term aligns with the firewall end-of-life date (31/08/2028) to avoid overpaying beyond usable service life. The best value for money has been secured utilising the incumbent contracted partner, CDW Limited. The cost and time of change would be a challenge if a competitive procurement exercise was conducted.

Procurement Information

Alignment of contract term with lifecycle and ensuring the licensing term aligns with the firewall end-of-life date (31/08/2028) to avoid overpaying beyond usable service life. The best value for money has been secured utilising the incumbent contracted partner, CDW Limited. The cost and time of change would be a challenge if a competitive procurement exercise was conducted.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e9f8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080097-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
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

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£74,433 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Aug 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Aug 20262 weeks 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
Coventry 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
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 5FB
Postcode Area
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CDW Ltd

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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