Network equipment

Tender description

The CPC intends to put a framework agreement in place with suitable manufactures and resellers which will offer additional benefits through collaborative and innovative partnerships with our members. The framework agreement will be for the supply of a wide range of networking equipment and the provision of support services, to be purchased continuously and in varying quantities during the contract period. All members heavily rely on having a robust ICT infrastructure/environment and the equipment required will be utilised for a variety of administrative, research and academic applications. The CPC members spend on ICT through the current CPC framework agreements over the last 4 years was in excess of 180 000 000 GBP. This spend covers Desktops, Laptops, Notebooks, Networking Hardware and Services, Data Cabling and Telecommunications Equipment and Services and Software and Licences. Approx. 26 000 000 GBP of this spend has gone through the Network Hardware and Services including Servers and Data Storage. We anticipate use of the framework by members to increase as membership continues to grow. The purpose of this framework agreement is to give full EU cover and allow CPC members to purchase at a substantial and demonstrable discount relative to the marketplace throughout the term of the framework agreement. The framework discounts should apply to all equipment, spares and ancillary equipment. CPC members currently change ICT model types, including components or a regular basis. Due to the current financial climate and budget reductions many members are keen to reduce the refresh period but to still maintain the optimum balance between longevity cost and technical advantage. The estimated total framework value is in the range 10 000 000 GBP to 150 000 000 GBP, net of VAT over the next 4 years. The framework will be divided into 6 lots: Lot 1 Servers and Associated Equipment (inc. server racking, cabinets and KCM, etc.); Lot 2 Enterprise Storage (NAS, SAM, etc.); Lot 3 Back up and Archiving; Lot 4 Networking Equipment and Services (including but not exclusive of Routers, Hubs, Switches, Wireless Networking Systems, LAN, Virtualisation, Cloud, etc.); Lot 5 Security Hardware (Inc. Internet/Email monitoring, firewall and network intrusion detection); Lot 6 Maintenance, Installation and Support (As a standalone requirement, not alongside the purchase of equipment). It is a requirement of the Tender that the selected supplier (s) extend the terms to all eligible Institutions and Consortia, as defined by the CPC including further education colleges/institutions, universities, 6th forms, academies, schools, museums and other similar organisations. CPC reserves the right during the period of this agreement to make additions to or subtractions from the list of participating Institutions and Consortia. Current and future members of the CPC are from the education sector, the majority of whom will be on the open access EduBase public portal: http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/home.xhtml CPC will be using the In-Tend system to carry out this tender. In order to express your interest in this tender and obtain the tender documents please log on to: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/CPC /aspx/Home Members have the right to utilise e-auctions during the further competition / call-off stage of supplier selection.