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IT Infrastructure hardware and solutions Framework

Cardiff University · Education

In brief

Cardiff University has announced plans to buy computer hardware work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

It is a framework worth up to £16,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 2 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 1 December 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Typical: a median of 4 bids per contract for this buyer (from 27 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £16,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

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.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 077578-2026
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 077638-2026

About the buyer

Cardiff UniversityLast 12 months

Procurements

92

Awards

71

Suppliers it has used most for computer hardware

  1. LoRaWAN Gateways and Sensors for Culverts

    City & County of SwanseaWalesComputer hardware

    Open10 days leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £70kestimated

From notice 077578-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 14 August 2026, last updated 14 August 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.