Award

Enterprise Infrastructure - Virtualisation Management Software

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has successfully completed the procurement process for its "Enterprise Infrastructure - Virtualisation Management Software" project. The contract, which was formalised on 7th April 2026, focuses on the procurement of VMware virtualisation management software. This was executed through a negotiated procedure without prior publication due to the absence of competition for technical reasons, as described under Regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The project falls under the goods industry category and aims to support the University's critical teaching, research, and administrative systems with a seamless integration into its existing private cloud platform. The contract, valued at GBP 3,441,439.62, was awarded to VMware UK Limited and is expected to span a period of five years, commencing from the date of signing.

This procurement presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for firms specialising in virtualisation technology, cloud solutions, and IT infrastructure management. Businesses that offer expertise in VMware solutions, enterprise-scale IT service provision, and robust system integration could find opportunities to provide complementary services or support during the contract’s lifespan. Furthermore, since the procurement process was conducted without a call for competition for technical reasons, businesses able to offer niche or proprietary technical solutions may find similar opportunities through direct awards in future tenders. The University ensures continuity and enhancement of its IT infrastructure, offering extended potential for collaboration and strategic partnership with enterprises that can enhance and integrate with current technological frameworks.

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Notice Title

Enterprise Infrastructure - Virtualisation Management Software

Notice Description

Procurement of virtualisation management software (VMware) following a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice for a period of 5 years.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Procurement of virtualisation management software (VMware) following a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice for a period of 5 years.. Please contact Suzanne Toole (suzie.toole@ed.ac.uk) for further information or questions regarding this notice.

Procurement Information

The University of Edinburgh is intending to award a contract without prior publication pursuant to Regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 on the basis that competition is absent for technical reasons. The University of Edinburgh requires continuity of its existing private cloud platform which is architected around VMware technologies. The current environment supports critical teaching, research and administrative systems and is tightly integrated across compute, storage, networking and container platforms. A market assessment was undertaken, including consideration of alternative platforms. Alternative platforms would require fundamental re-architecture of the University's infrastructure, including redesign of network and security configurations and replacement of automation and operational tooling. Such re-platforming would introduce significant technical risk to service continuity, including potential disruption to critical systems, risk of extended downtime, and increased cyber and operational risk. This level of risk is not acceptable within the required time frame. Accordingly, for technical reasons relating to interoperability, system integration and risk to continuity of essential services, no reasonable alternative or substitute exists. The intention is to award a contract directly to Broadcom Inc (owner of VMware) for the provision of virtualisation management software for a period of 5 years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000829064
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553691
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency 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
£3,441,439 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VMWARE

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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