---
title: "Networking Equipment Upgrade"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c145"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c145"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c145.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c145.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2026-07-15"
---

# Networking Equipment Upgrade

Buyer: SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c145

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c145)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c145.json)

## Summary

The procurement process was initiated by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust for the "Networking Equipment Upgrade" project, which involves the provision of various networking equipment, including Aruba switches and cables for a trust-wide estate upgrade. The procurement pertains to the industry category of goods, specifically in the local area network subsection, and will be delivered within the region of South West England, UK. This process has been marked as complete, with the direct award method employed due to specific technical requirements necessitating interoperability and compatibility with the Trust’s existing HP infrastructure. The award was made on 15 July 2026, and the contract began on 16 July 2026, with an end date of 14 November 2026.

For businesses looking to engage with public sector procurement opportunities, this project exemplifies how specialisation in certain technical fields can offer lucrative contracts. Qolcom Limited, the awarded supplier, was chosen due to its HP Platinum Partner status, providing it with exclusive pricing and technical capabilities that competitors may not offer. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in IT infrastructure and those that can provide continuity and specialist support stand well-placed to compete for similar contracts, especially where there is a need for highly specific expertise and established supplier relationships.

## Notice

Provision of networking equipment for trust wide estate upgrade in preparation for a larger programme. Equipment includes Aruba switches and cables totalling 641 pieces.

### Procurement Information

The Trust intends to directly award a contract to Qolcom for the upgrade of HP network infrastructure deployed Trust-wide. This award is justified under Schedule 5 (technical reasons) of the Procurement Act 2023 due to essential interoperability, compatibility, and continuity requirements with the Trust's existing HP environment. Qolcom is the Trust's incumbent supplier for HP networking and holds HP Platinum Partner status, providing exclusive commercial pricing, enhanced support, and specialist technical capability not available through alternative suppliers.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066682-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | 15 Jul 2026 - 14 Nov 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £545,105 |
| Contracts value | £545,105 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Locality | TAUNTON |
| Post town | Taunton |
| Postcode | TA1 5DA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK62 Somerset |
| Local authority | Somerset |
| Electoral ward | Bishop's Hull & Taunton West |
| Westminster constituency | Taunton and Wellington |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

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

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 32410000 - Local area network

## Release History

- 15 Jul 2026 at 10:49 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066682-2026
- 3 Jul 2026 at 15:22 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062969-2026
- 1 Jul 2026 at 12:26 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061727-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066682-2026
  15th July 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062969-2026
  3rd July 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061727-2026
  1st July 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-06c145. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c145.json.