---
title: "Provision of Microsoft Unified Support Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d59e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d59e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d59e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d59e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER"
published: "2026-07-28"
---

# Provision of Microsoft Unified Support Services

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d59e

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## Summary

The University of Leicester has completed a direct award procurement process for the provision of Microsoft Unified Support Services, a critical component of its digital infrastructure. This tender, which encompasses reactive and proactive support services for a wide array of Microsoft products, was awarded to MICROSOFT LIMITED, based in Reading. The contract is valued at £1,109,585 and covers the contract period from 1st August 2026 to 31st July 2029. The procurement process followed the legal framework set out by UKPGA 2023/54 and took place in the UKF21 region, which includes Leicester in the United Kingdom. The procurement stage is documented as complete, with the official award notice published on 28th July 2026.

This tender provides substantial business opportunities for those engaged in software support services, particularly businesses capable of handling Microsoft technologies. Large enterprises or businesses already involved in the provision of IT support services may find opportunities for collaboration or subcontracting due to the contract's expansive service scope. Furthermore, it underscores the criticality of having niche capabilities in support solutions for comprehensive product ecosystems, reinforcing demand for companies able to respond dynamically to large institutional needs. The direct award method highlights MICROSOFT LIMITED's unique position to provide integrated and unparalleled support, underscoring the potential for long-term partnerships in similar agreements.

## Notice

Reactive and proactive support services for Microsoft products and services - desktop, on-premise (campus) hosted services, Microsoft 365 (Office 365, Sharepoint, Teams, etc) and Dynamics and wider ecosystem.

### Procurement Information

The University of Leicester has a significant and growing dependency on Microsoft technologies for the delivery of its core digital infrastructure and business-critical services. Since the commencement of the previous Microsoft Unified Support agreement, the University's reliance on the Microsoft ecosystem has expanded substantially. A Microsoft Unified Support agreement is considered the only viable route to provide comprehensive support across the University's Microsoft estate. As the software vendor and manufacturer, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to deliver end-to-end reactive and proactive support for its full product portfolio. Procuring support through alternative providers would require multiple contracts with different Microsoft partners, increasing complexity, reducing accountability, and creating gaps in service coverage. Prior to renewal, independent market advice was sought to assess the availability and suitability of third-party support providers. This assessment concluded that while third-party support options exist, no single provider could adequately support the full range of Microsoft products utilised by the University. Furthermore, such providers remain dependent on Microsoft for product escalation and resolution of complex issues. Analysis of support cases and escalations over the previous three years demonstrated that many critical incidents would not have been resolved without direct Microsoft involvement. Engaging a third-party support provider would therefore introduce additional layers of escalation, resulting in slower response times, reduced service quality, and increased operational risk.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071361-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Jul 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,109,585 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER |
| Locality | LEICESTER |
| Post town | Leicester |
| Postcode | LE1 7RH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire |
| ITL 3 | TLF21 Leicester |
| Local authority | Leicester |
| Electoral ward | Castle |
| Westminster constituency | Leicester South |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

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

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 72261000 - Software support services

## Release History

- 28 Jul 2026 at 14:59 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071361-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071361-2026
  28th July 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://le.ac.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/about/?msockid=3a4757f9f8b263bd2daa467cfcb26582

## 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-06d59e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d59e.json.