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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Framework Agreement for Servers, Storage, High Performance Computing & Managed Infrastructure

Southern Universities Management Services (SUMS) · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 4 Oct 2026, 17:56.

Opportunity overview

The Southern Universities Procurement Consortium ("SUPC") is acting as lead organisation on behalf of the universities, further education colleges and other organisations which are members of the consortium ("Members"). SUPC is part of The SUMS Group ("SUPC"). As a centralised procurement authority for universities and further education colleges as well as other not-for-profit and public sector organisations, SUPC develops and manages framework agreements. Members have access to a wide range of professionally tendered agreements compliant with the Procurement Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023. By using our agreements, Members can purchase competitively priced goods and services across a variety of commodity areas. The current Servers, Storage and Solutions National Agreement ("SSSNA") put in place by SUPC is due to expire on 31 January 2027. In addition, the initial term of the current High-Performance Computing Framework Agreement ("HPC") put in place by SUPC expires 31 August 2027. The new Framework Agreement for Servers, Storage, High Performance Computing and Managed Infrastructure is the proposed replacement for these existing framework agreements. The scope of the new Framework Agreement will include: - on-premise compute infrastructure solutions - servers - storage platforms - research and high-performance computing solutions - associated implementation and lifecycle services including support - infrastructure as a service and managed service offerings, either on-premise or hosted. The Framework is intended to support: - teaching and learning environments - research computing - enterprise IT services and platforms - hybrid and cloud-integrated architectures - secure and sustainable digital infrastructure. The proposed Framework term is 2 years with 2 optional 12 month extension options (maximum term of 4 years). The proposed Lots for the new Framework are as follows: - Lot 1: Commodity Servers and Components - Lot 2: Enterprise Infrastructure and Storage Solutions - Lot 3: High-Performance Computing and Research Compute Solutions - Lot 4: Managed Infrastructure and Consumption Services The new Framework will introduce a number of improvements, including but not limited to, the ability to procure infrastructure delivered as a service including hosted services rather than ownership.

Classification

  • CPV30200000 — Computer equipment and supplies
  • CPV30210000 — Data-processing machines (hardware)
  • CPV30211100 — Super computer
  • CPV30211300 — Computer platforms
  • CPV30233000 — Media storage and reader devices
  • CPV30233100 — Computer storage units
  • CPV30233140 — Direct-access storage devices (DASD)
  • CPV30233141 — Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID)
  • CPV30233180 — Flash memory storage devices
  • CPV30234000 — Storage media
  • CPV48000000 — Software package and information systems
  • CPV48782000 — Storage management software package
  • CPV48800000 — Information systems and servers
  • CPV48820000 — Servers
  • CPV48821000 — Network servers
  • CPV48822000 — Computer servers
  • CPV48823000 — File servers
  • CPV48824000 — Printer servers
  • CPV48825000 — Web servers
  • CPV50312000 — Maintenance and repair of computer equipment
  • CPV50312600 — Maintenance and repair of information technology equipment
  • CPV51000000 — Installation services (except software)
  • CPV51610000 — Installation services of computers and information-processing equipment
  • CPV72000000 — IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • CPV72300000 — Data services
  • CPV72600000 — Computer support and consultancy services
  • CPV80533100 — Computer training services

Lots

  • Lot LOT-0000Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ITS4065 SU
Main Procurement Category
goods
Above Threshold
Yes
Status
planned

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Additional Procurement Categories

services

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Communication

Future Notice Date
26 May 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
LOT-0000
Has Renewal
Yes
Status
planned

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jan 2029, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Jan 2031, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
LOT-0000
Related Lot
LOT-0000

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
30200000
Description
Computer equipment and supplies
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
30210000
Description
Data-processing machines (hardware)
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
30211100
Description
Super computer
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
30211300
Description
Computer platforms
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
30233000
Description
Media storage and reader devices
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
30233100
Description
Computer storage units
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
30233140
Description
Direct-access storage devices (DASD)
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
30233141
Description
Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID)
Entry 9
Scheme
CPV
Id
30233180
Description
Flash memory storage devices
Entry 10
Scheme
CPV
Id
30234000
Description
Storage media
Entry 11
Scheme
CPV
Id
48000000
Description
Software package and information systems
Entry 12
Scheme
CPV
Id
48782000
Description
Storage management software package
Entry 13
Scheme
CPV
Id
48800000
Description
Information systems and servers
Entry 14
Scheme
CPV
Id
48820000
Description
Servers
Entry 15
Scheme
CPV
Id
48821000
Description
Network servers
Entry 16
Scheme
CPV
Id
48822000
Description
Computer servers
Entry 17
Scheme
CPV
Id
48823000
Description
File servers
Entry 18
Scheme
CPV
Id
48824000
Description
Printer servers
Entry 19
Scheme
CPV
Id
48825000
Description
Web servers
Entry 20
Scheme
CPV
Id
50312000
Description
Maintenance and repair of computer equipment
Entry 21
Scheme
CPV
Id
50312600
Description
Maintenance and repair of information technology equipment
Entry 22
Scheme
CPV
Id
51000000
Description
Installation services (except software)
Entry 23
Scheme
CPV
Id
51610000
Description
Installation services of computers and information-processing equipment
Entry 24
Scheme
CPV
Id
72000000
Description
IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Entry 25
Scheme
CPV
Id
72300000
Description
Data services
Entry 26
Scheme
CPV
Id
72600000
Description
Computer support and consultancy services
Entry 27
Scheme
CPV
Id
80533100
Description
Computer training services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
1) SUPC intends to conduct Preliminary Market Engagement ("PME") with the market through this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice with a view to sharing information and seeking input from the market to inform and shape current thinking and assist SUPC in its procurement plans and approach for the new Framework Agreement. 2) In addition, SUPC is providing potential suppliers the opportunity to review an Outline Specification for the new Framework Agreement via a PME Questionnaire. Questionnaires should be returned by midday on 26 March 2026 in order that we can consider comments in advance of any formal procurement processes. These documents can be accessed on SUPCs Mercell eSourcing Portal in accordance with the instructions below and completed questionnaires must be returned via the eSourcing Portal. 3) Respondents can indicate within the questionnaire if they are open to a follow up meeting. Please note that due to time and resource constraints, it may not be possible for SUPC to meet with all interested suppliers. Further information can be found in the PME Questionnaire. 4) In addition to the above, a separate questionnaire will be issued to existing Framework Suppliers seeking feedback on the current frameworks and their use by Members. 5) Please be advised that the estimated value of this requirement cannot be derived until the completion of the Preliminary Market Engagement activities. Accordingly, the estimated total value above is indicative only. The main category is currently envisaged to be Goods, however this also cannot be finalised until completion of the PME activities. 6) Interested organisations should note that the procurement strategy, lotting, timetable and commercial model have not been finalised at this stage. SUPC will collate and analyse the responses received. Responses may be used to develop and scope the procurement strategy, commercial model, process and specification including lotting. SUPC will make a final decision on the procurement strategy, commercial model, lots and content of the procurement documentation, having considered feedback. SUPC reserves the right to divide the scope into different lots for bidding purposes and/or carve out some elements of the scope and procure these separately. 7) Disclaimer. This Preliminary Market Engagement is intended solely to gather market insights and inform future scoping for the potential framework. It does not represent a solicitation, request for proposal, or commitment to proceed with any procurement process. No contractual or financial obligations arise from participation in this engagement. All decisions remain subject to internal approvals and applicable policies. Non-Commitment: This is not a tender and does not guarantee a future procurement. No Advantage/Disadvantage: Engagement (or lack of) does not influence any subsequent tender evaluation. Engagement also does not guarantee participation in the procurement process. Accuracy Liability: The information provided is for Market Research only. Rights Reserved: SUPC reserve the right to change the process or abandon the procurement altogether, should they wish to. 8) To access this Preliminary Market Engagement opportunity, please click on the following link. https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=102939&TID=100108146&B= Alternatively, please click on https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=SUPC and on the left click on 'Current tender opportunities'. The resulting opportunities will be listed below. From the list, click on the Framework name, this will open the PME opportunity. If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the PME documentation and being able to submit your response. Please click on https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=SUPC and in the centre of the screen click on 'New supplier registration'. Please contact uksupport@eu-supply.com in the event that you experience any issues with registering or accessing this opportunity on the Portal.
Due
26 Mar 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
017588-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
26 Feb 2026, 17:01
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Southern Universities Management Services (SUMS)
Id
GB-PPON-PZZN-4928-CWMD

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PZZN-4928-CWMD

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Scheme
GB-COH
Id
02732244

Address

Street Address
Reading Enterprise Centre, The University of Reading, Whiteknights Road, Earley Gate
Locality
Reading
Postal Code
RG6 6BU
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKJ11

Contact

Name
Anna Rashad
Telephone
+44 1112284020

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Reading · UKJ11 · RG6 6BU · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 017327-2026Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 017588-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·