---
title: "Research Data Equipment FAIR"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065482"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065482"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065482.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065482.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CARDIFF UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-02-16"
---

# Research Data Equipment FAIR

Buyer: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065482

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065482)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065482.json)

## Summary

The procurement process led by Cardiff University, under the title "Research Data Equipment FAIR", focused on the acquisition of data equipment to replace the current Research Data Store infrastructure, incorporating necessary resilience and backup features. This procurement, identified by OCID ocds-h6vhtk-065482 and concluded in February 2026, falls under the industry category of data equipment. Located in Cardiff, UK, it was carried out using a limited procurement method without prior publication of a call for competition. Although the related lot was eventually cancelled, a contract was awarded to OCF LIMITED on 10th February 2026 for £1,400,000. The procurement stage is marked as complete, and notably, all bids received were from outside the EU, highlighting broader international interest despite no participation by SMEs.

This tender presents valuable business opportunities for companies specialising in data infrastructure, especially those with proven capabilities in providing resilient data storage solutions. Large businesses equipped with experience in supplying sophisticated data equipment would find this type of procurement particularly beneficial for expansion due to the significant contract value and the niche focus on research data storage solutions. The lack of SME bids suggests a potential gap for medium-sized enterprises to develop competitive offerings in future similar procurements, potentially increasing their market presence. Moreover, the international interest signals opportunities for non-EU suppliers to penetrate the UK market in this sector.

## Notice

Replace the current Research Data Store (RDS) infrastructure with a new RDS system including backups and other forms of resilience

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Replace the current Research Data Store (RDS) infrastructure with a new RDS system including backups and other forms of resilience

### Procurement Information

Mini-Competition conducted via a compliant framework

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013688-2026 |
| Notice type | Award 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £1,400,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF24 4HQ |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |
| Local authority | Cardiff |
| Electoral ward | Cathays |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth |
| Delivery location | TLL2 East Wales |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | OCF |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

### Codes

- 32580000 - Data equipment

## Release History

- 16 Feb 2026 at 09:11 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013688-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/business/why-work-with-us/for-suppliers
- https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0258

## 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-065482. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065482.json.