--- title: "Switch Architecture Refresh" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "BMet College" published: "2026-10-27" --- # Switch Architecture Refresh Buyer: BMet College Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb.json) ## Summary BMet College is buying a refresh of Birmingham Metropolitan College’s network switch infrastructure. The requirement covers the supply, implementation, support and maintenance of switch equipment and related services, split into switch hardware and support arrangements. The proposed solution must use the HPE Aruba equipment specified in the tender; alternative manufacturers, substitute or equivalent products, and refurbished or reconditioned equipment are excluded. The listed work is for delivery in the United Kingdom. This is a network equipment procurement, rather than a general IT or networking services requirement, and suppliers should be able to provide the specified Aruba hardware as well as the associated implementation and support where bidding for the relevant scope. BMet College invited tenders through an open procedure. The process reached the tender stage, meaning the buyer invited offers. The enquiry deadline set by the buyer was 13 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC, and the tender submission deadline was 23 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The buyer expected to conclude the award process by 31 December 2026. Both lots have a contract period from 31 December 2026 to 26 February 2027. The total estimated value is £745,562 excluding VAT (£894,674.40 including VAT): £600,060 excluding VAT for switch hardware and £145,502 excluding VAT for support arrangements. For each lot, evaluation assigns 65% to price, 30% to service quality and capability, and 5% to added value. The opportunity is suited to suppliers with the ability to source and supply the specified HPE Aruba switches and deliver implementation, maintenance and support for network infrastructure. Suppliers may compete for the hardware lot, the support arrangements lot, or both, making it possible for specialist hardware distributors and network support providers to focus on their area of strength. The tender explicitly treats SMEs as suitable for both lots. Competing effectively requires close compliance with the named manufacturer and equipment requirements: businesses offering other vendors’ products, equivalents, or refurbished or reconditioned equipment will not meet the stated requirement. The service and capability element carries substantial weight in evaluation alongside price, so suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate the quality of their delivery and support capability, as well as the added value they can provide. ## Notice You are invited to submit a Tender for the provision of a Network Switch Refresh for Birmingham Metropolitan College. The contract relates solely to the supply, support, implementation and maintenance of the switch infrastructure equipment and services detailed within this Invitation to Tender and associated pricing schedule. The proposed solution must be based solely upon the HPE Aruba equipment specified within this Tender documentation. Alternative manufacturers, substitute products, equivalent solutions, refurbished equipment, reconditioned equipment, or equipment from any other vendor will not be considered under any circumstances. ### Lot Information Switch Hardware Switch Hardware - see ITT & Excel workbook Support Arrangements support Arrangements - See excel workbook and ITT ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101761-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | 23 Nov 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Dec 2026 - 26 Feb 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £745,562 | | Lots value | £745,562 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | BMet College | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Postcode area | Birmingham | | Postcode | B4 7PS | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Nechells | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment ### Codes - 32400000 - Networks ## Release History - 27 Oct 2026 at 16:45 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101761-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101761-2026 27th October 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://suppliers.multiquote.com - 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-0791bb. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0791bb.json.