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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Security Operation Centre

Bournemouth University · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 24 Sept 2026, 12:51.

Opportunity overview

Bournemouth University ("BU" or the "University") is exploring options for the provision of a co-managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) service to enhance and future-proof its cyber security operations capability. The University is seeking market feedback from experienced Managed Security Service Providers to better understand available service models, implementation approaches, commercial arrangements and indicative costs. BU has invested significantly in its internal cyber security capability and Microsoft security technologies, including Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender XDR, Entra ID Protection, Security Copilot and related services. The University is now considering how external specialist support could complement its in-house team through a co-managed SOC operating model. The key objectives of a future service are expected to include: - Enhancing monitoring, detection and response capabilities through either 24/7 or out-of-hours SOC coverage. - Improving threat detection, triage, false-positive reduction and incident response effectiveness. - Providing additional specialist expertise, operational resilience and surge capacity during major incidents or periods of heightened risk. - Maintaining and continuously improving detection rules, playbooks, automation and security monitoring capabilities. - Leveraging threat intelligence, sector insight, automation and AI-enabled capabilities to strengthen cyber resilience and operational effectiveness. - Establishing a robust governance, reporting and service management framework with clear responsibilities between BU and the supplier. - Maximising the value of the University's existing Microsoft security investments while minimising the need for additional tooling wherever appropriate. The University wishes to understand how the market can support these objectives, together with the costs, benefits, risks and implementation considerations associated with different service models. Supplier feedback received through this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise will help inform the University's future requirements, budget planning and procurement strategy.

Classification

  • CPV72250000 — System and support services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value 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
IT/JH/707
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Communication

Future Notice Date
2 Jul 2027, 23:59

Amendments

Entry 1
Description
The Engagement deadline has been extended for period of 1 week. The updated Engagement deadline is 06 October 2026.
Id
090479-2026

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Contract period

Starts
1 Dec 2027, 00:00
Ends
30 Nov 2032, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
72250000
Description
System and support services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK24
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise is to engage with the market and gather supplier insight to help Bournemouth University develop its future Security Operations Centre requirements, understand available service models and technologies, and inform its procurement strategy and budget planning. Objectives - Gain a better understanding of the current market for co-managed Security Operations Centre services and Managed Security Service Providers. - Understand the range of operating models available, including 24/7 and out-of-hours service provision. - Gather feedback on implementation approaches, governance models, service levels, automation and AI capabilities, and commercial arrangements. - Obtain indicative pricing information and identify the key factors that influence service cost. - Better understand the resources, technologies and organisational commitments required to successfully implement and operate a future service. - Use supplier feedback to refine requirements, inform budget planning and determine the most appropriate route to market and procurement approach. Bournemouth University invites interested organisations to review the PME documentation and submit a written response. Suppliers are encouraged to provide detailed feedback, market insight and indicative pricing information to assist the University in understanding available options and the likely costs associated with a future Security Operations Centre service. Responses should be submitted in accordance with the instructions contained within the PME documentation and emailed to procurement@bournemouth.ac.uk by the published deadline. Please note that this PME is an information-gathering exercise only. It is not a request for quotation, invitation to tender or other competitive procurement process. The information obtained through this exercise will be used solely to help inform the University's future requirements, budget considerations and procurement strategy. There is no obligation for suppliers to respond to this PME. Supplier responses (or lack of responses) will not be used to determine participation in, or evaluation of, any future procurement exercise. Participation in this PME will not provide any supplier with an advantage or guarantee inclusion in any subsequent tender process. The University's current intention is that any future procurement opportunity arising from this requirement will be advertised separately at a later date.
Due
6 Oct 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
090479-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
24 Sept 2026, 11:14
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Bournemouth University
Id
GB-PPON-PVRY-5141-LLTP

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PVRY-5141-LLTP

Address

Street Address
Poole House, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow
Locality
Poole
Postal Code
BH12 5BB
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKK24

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

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

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Poole · UKK24 · BH12 5BB · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKK24 · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 088444-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 090479-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·