--- title: "IT Infrastructure hardware and solutions Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e462" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e462" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e462.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e462.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "CARDIFF UNIVERSITY" published: "2026-08-14" --- # IT Infrastructure hardware and solutions Framework Buyer: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e462 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e462) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e462.json) ## Summary Cardiff University is planning a framework for computer equipment and associated IT infrastructure solutions. The scope covers high-performance computing, including servers and GPUs; backup and storage; network and security equipment; and physical data-centre infrastructure such as uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, optical equipment and racking. The procurement is intended to support the University's operational, strategic and business-continuity needs, including service continuity, operational resilience and rapid deployment of infrastructure. The equipment and solutions will support the University in Cardiff and its wider operations. This is a goods procurement, with the framework intended to provide established commercial terms for future call-off purchases as requirements arise. This process is at the planning stage: Cardiff University has announced its intention to procure and is undertaking pre-market engagement, rather than inviting tenders. The University expects the next notice to be published by 25 September 2026. It anticipates closing the pre-market engagement stage on 11 September 2026, with correspondence and questionnaire submissions made through its procurement portal. The planned procurement is a single-lot framework, with an estimated value of £16,000,000 excluding VAT and £19,200,000 including VAT. The framework is expected to run from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2028, with renewal provision extending the maximum period to 30 November 2030. It is above the relevant threshold. The work is likely to suit manufacturers, distributors, systems integrators and specialist IT infrastructure suppliers able to provide a broad range of enterprise hardware and related data-centre solutions through a framework arrangement. Relevant capability includes supplying high-performance compute platforms, GPUs, servers, backup and storage systems, network and security equipment, power and connectivity infrastructure, optical equipment and racking. Suppliers should be prepared to manage volatile pricing, component and supply-chain fluctuations, and extended lead times for critical equipment. The University's stated priorities favour businesses that can offer dependable supply, resilient solutions and rapid deployment within compressed timescales. The pre-market engagement is an opportunity for suitably experienced suppliers to help inform the future tender before it reaches the market. ## Notice The University has ongoing requirements for a broad range of IT infrastructure equipment to support its operational, strategic and business continuity objectives including high performance Compute (Servers, GPUs), Backup/Storage, Network/Security and associated physical data centre infrastructure (UPS, PDUS, Optics, Racking). The University is dealing with significant market challenges associated with: * Volatile market pricing. * Component supply chain fluctuations. * Extended lead times for critical infrastructure equipment. * The need to maintain continuity of service and operational resilience. * The need to deploy infrastructure solutions within compressed timescales. To mitigate these challenges, the University is considering publishing a single source framework to enable us to respond with agility and "call-off" from a framework with pre-established commercial terms. ### Planning Information Please got to https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/aspx/Home There is a pre-market engagement questionnaire that will give potential bidders to inform our tender. All correspondence and questionnaire submissions should be made via the intend portal, which contains full details. We anticipate closing the pre-market engagement stage on 11/9/26 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077638-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 25 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £16,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY | | Locality | CARDIFF | | Postcode area | Cardiff | | Postcode | CF10 3AT | | 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 | TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages ### Codes - 30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies ## Release History - 14 Aug 2026 at 12:07 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077638-2026 - 14 Aug 2026 at 11:01 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077578-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077638-2026 14th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077578-2026 14th August 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.cardiff.ac.uk - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/aspx/Home - 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-06e462. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e462.json.