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Switch Architecture Refresh

BMet College

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

27 Oct 2026 at 16:45

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

BMet College is buying a refresh of Birmingham Metropolitan College’s network switch infrastructure. The requirement covers the supply, implementation, support and maintenance of switch equipment and related services, split into switch hardware and support arrangements. The proposed solution must use the HPE Aruba equipment specified in the tender; alternative manufacturers, substitute or equivalent products, and refurbished or reconditioned equipment are excluded. The listed work is for delivery in the United Kingdom. This is a network equipment procurement, rather than a general IT or networking services requirement, and suppliers should be able to provide the specified Aruba hardware as well as the associated implementation and support where bidding for the relevant scope.

BMet College invited tenders through an open procedure. The process reached the tender stage, meaning the buyer invited offers. The enquiry deadline set by the buyer was 13 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC, and the tender submission deadline was 23 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The buyer expected to conclude the award process by 31 December 2026. Both lots have a contract period from 31 December 2026 to 26 February 2027. The total estimated value is £745,562 excluding VAT (£894,674.40 including VAT): £600,060 excluding VAT for switch hardware and £145,502 excluding VAT for support arrangements. For each lot, evaluation assigns 65% to price, 30% to service quality and capability, and 5% to added value.

The opportunity is suited to suppliers with the ability to source and supply the specified HPE Aruba switches and deliver implementation, maintenance and support for network infrastructure. Suppliers may compete for the hardware lot, the support arrangements lot, or both, making it possible for specialist hardware distributors and network support providers to focus on their area of strength. The tender explicitly treats SMEs as suitable for both lots. Competing effectively requires close compliance with the named manufacturer and equipment requirements: businesses offering other vendors’ products, equivalents, or refurbished or reconditioned equipment will not meet the stated requirement. The service and capability element carries substantial weight in evaluation alongside price, so suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate the quality of their delivery and support capability, as well as the added value they can provide.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Switch Architecture Refresh

Notice Description

You are invited to submit a Tender for the provision of a Network Switch Refresh for Birmingham Metropolitan College. The contract relates solely to the supply, support, implementation and maintenance of the switch infrastructure equipment and services detailed within this Invitation to Tender and associated pricing schedule. The proposed solution must be based solely upon the HPE Aruba equipment specified within this Tender documentation. Alternative manufacturers, substitute products, equivalent solutions, refurbished equipment, reconditioned equipment, or equipment from any other vendor will not be considered under any circumstances.

Lot Information

Switch Hardware

Switch Hardware - see ITT & Excel workbook

Support Arrangements

support Arrangements - See excel workbook and ITT

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101761-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32400000 - Networks

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£745,562 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£745,562 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
23 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Dec 2026 - 26 Feb 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BMet College
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7PS
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

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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