--- title: "CA18608 - Switch Architecture Refresh" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "BMet College" published: "2026-10-27" --- # CA18608 - Switch Architecture Refresh Buyer: BMet College Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7.json) ## Summary BMet College is buying a refresh of its network switch infrastructure for its Birmingham college. The requirement covers the supply, implementation, support and maintenance of switch equipment and associated services, split between switch hardware and support arrangements. The proposed solution must use the HPE Aruba equipment specified for the procurement; the college will not consider alternative manufacturers, substitute or equivalent products, refurbished or reconditioned equipment, or equipment from another vendor. This is a network equipment supply and implementation opportunity, rather than a general-purpose IT services contract. The stated delivery postcode is B4 7PS in Birmingham, with the procurement also listing the United Kingdom and several other locations, including Europe and the rest of the world. The buyer invited tenders through an open procedure. The process reached the tender stage, with offers invited for the two lots: switch hardware and support arrangements. The stated estimated value is £745,562. The tender submission deadline was 23 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The contract period was set to run from 31 December 2026 to 26 February 2027. No enquiry deadline or evaluation criteria are provided in the procurement details. The opportunity is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Bidders should assess the two lots against their own offer, noting that the requirement is restricted to the specified HPE Aruba equipment and that alternative or refurbished products will not be considered. This opportunity suits suppliers able to provide the specified HPE Aruba switch equipment and deliver the associated implementation, support and maintenance. Businesses competing for the hardware lot will need to supply the equipment specified for the college’s network refresh; those targeting the support arrangements lot will need to provide support services for that infrastructure. Suppliers able to cover both hardware and lifecycle services may find both parts relevant, while specialist hardware or support providers can focus on their respective lot. The college explicitly welcomes SME participation. The strict manufacturer and product requirements make this unsuitable for vendors whose offer relies on competing brands, equivalents, or refurbished and reconditioned equipment. The procurement’s stated delivery location is in Birmingham, so suppliers should be able to serve the college there. ## Notice 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. Includes Lots: Lot 1: Switch Hardware Lot 2: Support Arrangements To access this competition: Registered: Login to https://suppliers.multiquote.com and view the opportunity CA18608. Not registered: Visit https://suppliers.multiquote.com then register and quote CA18608 as the reason for registration. Any queries please contact MultiQuote on 020 3920 8054. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eaed1d16-d131-44e7-b910-a4da65b6878c | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | 23 Nov 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Dec 2026 - 26 Feb 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £745,562 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | BMet College | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Postcode area | Birmingham | | Postcode | B4 7PS | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Nechells | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment ### Codes - 32400000 - Networks ## Release History - 27 Oct 2026 at 16:42 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eaed1d16-d131-44e7-b910-a4da65b6878c ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eaed1d16-d131-44e7-b910-a4da65b6878c 27th October 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://suppliers.multiquote.com ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2720b201-7537-449c-8f74-fe59d45558f7.json.