This ICT Networking and Storage Solutions framework agreement has been structured for ease of purchasing a wide range of network infrastructure, network services, installation services and IT storage solutions for schools, colleges, academies/academy trusts and universities.

Designed for the education sector, this framework offers a fully compliant route to market with access to 17 suppliers across 3 easily categorised lots:

Lot 1 – On Premise Solutions

Lot 2 – Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Solutions

Lot 3 – Consultancy Services

Lot 1 – On Premise Solutions

Lot 1 provides for IT infrastructure and network infrastructure solutions that are entirely delivered on-premise and includes but is not limited to the following technologies:

• Network hardware, including network switches, routers, wireless access points, wireless network controllers, structured cabling and equipment accommodation that is external to data centre.
• Network security solutions which includes both hardware and software designed to secure any part of the IT infrastructure, for example firewalls, web monitoring, email security and endpoint protection
• Storage hardware which may include both network-attached storage devices and storage area network solutions. This also includes storage controllers
• Server hardware composed of such hardware specifically designed to deliver compute capacity for both physical server deployments and hosting of virtual servers. This may also include directly attached storage.
• Backup, archiving and data protection systems. This may include disk or tape backup, directly attached or network attached and includes data loss prevention solutions.
• Data centre equipment, power systems and air conditioning systems. This includes server and communications accommodation including racks and shelving, mains power delivery systems, uninterruptible power systems, structured cabling, air conditioning and cooling systems.
• Monitoring systems including both premises and infrastructure monitoring and reporting systems.

Lot 2 – Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Solutions

Lot 2 provides for IT infrastructure solutions that are either entirely cloud based or are a hybrid cloud storage solution, comprising both on-premise and cloud components. Solutions may include but are not limited to the following technologies:

• Network solutions that include cloud components that may or may not be combined with on-premise hardware. Examples may include on-premise wireless solutions with cloud-based controllers or software defined network controllers for virtual WAN deployments.
• Network security solutions. These may include cloud-based security for cloud infrastructure deployments or hybrid solutions that have a much wider scope and can include such services as:
  • Identity and access management
  • Data loss prevention
  • Web security services
  • Intrusion management
  • Mobile device management
  • Email security
  • Encryption
  • Managed security services

• Server solutions that are defined as delivering compute capacity either entirely or partly by cloud services. This includes virtualisation of servers and application delivery platforms allowing flexibility in solution design by defining the technology as compute rather than restricting to only specific server deployments.
• Cloud storage solutions or storage solutions that integrate or interact with an on-premise storage deployment. This may be for storage of data, synchronisation services or may form part of a backup and archiving solution.
• Backup, archiving and data protection systems that are entirely or partly cloud-based and may include the provision of storage specific to the solution.
• Monitoring and reporting systems that are entirely or partly cloud based. This may include monitoring availability, capacity, performance and intrusion. This includes both premises monitoring and IT infrastructure monitoring and reporting.

Lot 3 – Consultancy Services

Lot 3 is specifically for ICT consultancy and design services where a solution is yet to be defined. The purpose of the consultancy services lot is to scope and determine a solution to members/contracting authorities’ requirements which may fit into either of Lot 1 or Lot 2.

This may also include strategic planning, financial viability and technology road maps.

This may lead to a separate exercise under lots 1 or 2.

Key Facts

Start date

1st May 2021

End date

30th April 2024

Optional extension

30th April 2025

Key Benefits of this Framework

1. Compliant with the UK Public Contracts Regulations (PCR 2015)
2. Direct Award and Further Competition available
3. Collaborative agreement – consolidation of spend
4. A multi supplier framework agreement - ensures that suppliers remain competitive through the life of the Framework Agreement
5. Time saving - members can use the framework rather than completing a full tender process
6. Experienced suppliers
7. Agreement is contract managed centrally by CPC with KPIs in place

How can I use this Framework

The recommended route to market to gain best value for money is via a further competition, however a direct award option is available. Please see the User Guide for further details on how to use this framework.

If you require support in running a further competition via this framework, Tenet Services can help. Tenet offer a nationwide service specialising in assisting education establishments to complete further competitions.

Tenet are part of the Crescent Purchasing Group of Companies and operate on a not-for-profit basis.

Go to Tenet Services

Get a Quote

The CPC Quote Tool is free to use for all our members and offers quick, compliant access to all suppliers on our frameworks for purchases that fall below £213,477.

"The Quote Tool was easy to use and time saving, resulting in a straightforward process where we just had to put the details in once and could then use the reputable suppliers already recommended."

Deborah Anderson-Dixon, Finance Manager at Sir William Romney's School

For purchases that exceed £213,477, the CPC Sourcing Cloud is available that complies with the regulations to allow electronic tender returns whilst still being free to use for our members. Find out more about CPC Sourcing Cloud.

Use This Framework

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Contract Manager

The contracting authority for this framework is Crescent Purchasing Consortium.