---
title: "Digital Research Infrastructure"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EXETER"
published: "2025-12-10"
---

# Digital Research Infrastructure

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec.json)

## Summary

The University of Exeter is currently in the planning phase for its upcoming procurement process titled "Digital Research Infrastructure." This initiative, falling under the industry categories of supercomputers, data-processing machines, and data storage services, aims to establish a robust digital infrastructure to support the University's research and innovation. This tender process is particularly relevant for those engaged in Research Computing, High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI, and data storage solutions. The procurement is scheduled to progress with an early market engagement session due by 16th January 2026, as part of its preliminary activities. The engagement aims to explore and solidify the University's procurement strategy and technical specifications ahead of a formal tender expected to commence in August 2026.

This digital infrastructure project presents lucrative growth opportunities for businesses specialising in cutting-edge technologies and sustainable, secure, and interoperable digital solutions. With an anticipated contract value of £8.3 million, the project is notable for those offering innovative partnership and delivery models that align with the University's long-term vision. The tender encourages participation from SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), offering ample opportunities for diverse business entities to contribute to this transformative project. With a significant focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, companies that prioritise these aspects will find a substantial market for their offerings.

## Notice

The University of Exeter is initiating this Early Market Engagement (EME) to inform the development of its Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI), a transformative programme that will underpin the University's future research and innovation capability. This engagement seeks to: Understand the current market landscape, emerging technologies, and service models relevant to Research Computing, HPC, AI, data storage, and research data management. Explore innovative partnership and delivery models to help realise Exeter's long-term digital research vision. Identify opportunities to enhance sustainability, energy efficiency, security, and interoperability across digital research systems. Gather insights to inform technical specifications, procurement strategy, and the DRI roadmap ahead of formal tender activity in 2026.

### Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=100826&TID=100106072&B=

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081584-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 May 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £8,300,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EXETER |
| Locality | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX4 4QH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | Duryard and St James |
| Westminster constituency | Exeter |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 30210000 - Data-processing machines (hardware)
- 30211100 - Super computer
- 72317000 - Data storage services

## Release History

- 10 Dec 2025 at 15:00 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081584-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081584-2025
  10th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=100826&TID=100106072&B=
- https://www.exeter.ac.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-05f2ec. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f2ec.json.