University fires gun on lucrative networking framework

£12m networking deal up for grabs

A London university is seeking a supplier to provide it with up to £2m worth of IT networking kit.

The London South Bank University (LSBU) published a tender document for its Network Support and ICT Security Managed Service contract, asking for a range of equipment such as data network management and support services, and computer network services.

The deal will be worth between £1m and £2m over two years, with the option of two one-year extensions.

The framework is split into two Lots: Lot 1 - Network Support Services; and Lot 2 - ICT Security Managed Services.

The first Lot is expected to be worth between £850,000 and £1.6m and will include hardware break-fix support; software support, managing the network; network configuration; firewall management; network monitoring; backup management; and the provision of wireless authentication to certain buildings. The Lot includes the scope to supply switches, but the university reserves the right to use alternative routes to market for this element.

Lot 2 is expected to be worth between £150,000 and £300,000 over its lifetime and will see the supplier provide a range of managed security services (MSS).

"The MSS will provide real-time alerting and monitoring of all configured security information sources," the tender said. "Specific reports will be automatically generated daily, weekly and monthly under normal operating conditions, as agreed with LSBU. These will be emailed to nominated recipients as well as being available immediately via the supplier's customer portal.

"An on-site service review will be held monthly and quarterly, as agreed with LSBU, which will be attended by the supplier's service delivery team. Members of both the supplier and LSBU teams (if desired) will have access via the customer portal to generate ad hoc reports as required."