---
title: "Datacentre Fabric Refresh"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-362fd9c7-134b-49b0-9835-46b3984b5df3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-362fd9c7-134b-49b0-9835-46b3984b5df3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-362fd9c7-134b-49b0-9835-46b3984b5df3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-362fd9c7-134b-49b0-9835-46b3984b5df3.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-01-31"
---

# Datacentre Fabric Refresh

Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-362fd9c7-134b-49b0-9835-46b3984b5df3

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## Summary

Durham County Council has successfully completed the procurement process for the "Datacentre Fabric Refresh" project in the data-processing machines (hardware) industry category. The awarded contract, effective from 13th December 2024 to 12th December 2029, is valued at £368,471. This project is crucial for upgrading the Council’s data centre switching equipment, ensuring continued support and lifecycle compatibility. The contract was awarded to FourNet (4Net) Technologies through a negotiated procedure without prior publication, highlighting the urgency and specificity of the requirements to avoid future cost inflations and ensure infrastructure continuity. The project is located in the North East of England.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for technology providers specialising in data-processing hardware, particularly those experienced with long-term support and maintenance contracts. SMEs and VCSEs will find this pertinent due to the project's scale and the vital need for specialised equipment ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure. Businesses that can offer high-quality, integrated solutions for data centres and those with a track record of maintaining seamless hardware replacements will be well-suited to compete in similar future procurements.

## Notice

Our datacentre main switching that carries all Council data is end of life and out of support. We require completely new switching equipment. We have identified the equipment vendor and produced a design and bill of materials to maintain continuity with other infrastructure. Additional information: Originally this request was being progressed utilising the YPO Network Connectivity and Telecommunication Solutions - 976, Lot 2 Framework, however, YPO notified DCC that this framework had expired, and their replacement is not yet in place. They had not extended 976 to bridge the gap as assumed by the supplier and DCC due to the framework still being active on their webpage and the supplier still utilising the framework with other clients. A direct award option was the initial chosen RtM due to the existing infrastructure compatibility and continuity issues, but also due to urgency around avoiding impending price rises due to shipping cost increases which will be imposed following political changes in the USA. As the request is for a 5 year contract to include the initial purchase and accompanying 5 year support / warranty period to match the lifecycle of the equipment, a direct award via other available frameworks with the named supplier listed were not suitable due to shorter award periods offered of no more than 4 years. It is vital that this supplier is utilised in order to maintain continuity and compatibility with existing infrastructure within ICT. Overall, it was agreed that this requirement was a special case with extenuating circumstances which could only be resolved by negotiating directly with the named supplier.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a22d0d92-57e1-4c81-b586-272aee1c6b0d |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 31 Jan 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 4 Dec 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 5 Dec 2024 |
| Contract period | 13 Dec 2024 - 12 Dec 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £368,471 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | DURHAM |
| Post town | Durham |
| Postcode | DH1 5UQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham |
| Local authority | County Durham |
| Electoral ward | Neville's Cross |
| Westminster constituency | City of Durham |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FOURNET (4NET) TECHNOLOGIES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
- 48 - Software package and information systems

### Codes

- 30210000 - Data-processing machines (hardware)
- 48820000 - Servers

## Release History

- 31 Jan 2025 at 14:38 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a22d0d92-57e1-4c81-b586-272aee1c6b0d

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a22d0d92-57e1-4c81-b586-272aee1c6b0d
  31st January 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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