--- title: "Rehosting Partner for Stanage Data Centre" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD" published: "2025-04-07" --- # Rehosting Partner for Stanage Data Centre Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2.json) ## Summary The University of Sheffield, a public body governed by public law, has completed the procurement process for a rehosting partner for the Stanage Data Centre. This procurement falls under the services category, specifically data storage services, and is situated in the region UKD. The process, carried out without prior publication of a call for competition, resulted in an award to Softcat PLC. The contract was signed on 27 March 2025, with the provision of secure, scalable data storage and hosting services, essential given the growing demand for data storage to support research projects at the university. The procurement was executed under the NHSSBS Digital Workplace Solutions Framework Agreement. This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses specialised in providing scalable and secure data storage facilities. The nature of the services required, including potential ad hoc services, makes the tender particularly attractive to large-scale IT service providers capable of ensuring minimal disruption during transitions and who are familiar with managing complex data infrastructure. Softcat PLC, a large supplier based in Marlow, was selected based on their existing relationship and capability to meet the university's expanded hosting capacity requirements. Businesses looking to grow in the data management and hosting services sector, especially those that can offer reliable and rapid deployment capabilities, would find tenders like these promising. ## Notice As a result of growing demand for data storage to support existing and new research projects, the University has concluded an exercise to identify a suitable data centre partner to provide reliable hosting services and expanded hosting capacity. This requirement was fulfilled under the NHSSBS Digital Workplace Solutions Framework Agreement. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The University has identified a supplier for the provision of secure, scalable data storage and hosting services as well as the ability to provide ad hoc services as needed. The selected supplier was awarded through the NHSSBS Digital Workplace Services Framework Agreement. ### Procurement Information The decision to award this contract is lawful as it was carried out through the NHS SBS Digital Workplace Framework an established, fully PCR-compliant route. This framework permits direct awards to approved suppliers, and Softcat was selected from the list of awarded suppliers. Using this framework allowed us to act quickly and efficiently, without the delays and risks associated with running a full open tender. Given the scale and urgency of the project, as well as the pre-existing relationship with both Softcat and the incumbent hosting provider, this route ensured best value and full legal compliance. Maintaining continuity with our existing supplier was critical. The data centre supports vital research infrastructure, and any disruption could have seriously impacted ongoing academic and critical research activities. Moving to a new provider would have meant relocating sensitive equipment, a process made even more challenging by the current state of the ageing cabling, which poses risks of downtime or failure during a move. The incumbent supplier not only offered continuity and familiarity but also responded to our new requirement for expanded hosting capacity by offering additional space within the data centre. This, along with favourable discounted rates and an aligned approach to the university's long-term objectives, made staying with the current supplier the most practical and value-driven choice. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013347-2025 | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Limited | | Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 7 Apr 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 27 Mar 2025 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £2,939,429 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD | | Locality | SHEFFIELD | | Post town | Sheffield | | Postcode | S10 2TN | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber | | ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire | | ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield | | Local authority | Sheffield | | Electoral ward | Broomhill and Sharrow Vale | | Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central | | Delivery location | TLD North West (England) | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | SOFTCAT | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72317000 - Data storage services - 72514000 - Computer facilities management services ## Release History - 7 Apr 2025 at 10:50 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013347-2025 ## Notice URLs - https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ ## 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-h6vhtk-04fdf2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fdf2.json.