Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13ced-76da-718e-bf6d-daa6c493c0e9/provision-of-vmware-and-vsphere-licensing-direct-award awarded GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Provision of VMware and vSphere Licensing - DIRECT AWARD [Together Housing Group Limited](https://tendernation.io/buyers/together-housing-group-limited) Estimated value £87,773 Published 14 Mar 2024 Deadline Closed 31 Jan 2024 ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Small contract value Valued under £135,018 including VAT, the lowest Procurement Act threshold for goods and services. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender THIS IS A NOTICE OF AWARD FOLLOWING A PROCUREMENT EXEMPTION FOR BELOW THRESHOLD CONTRACTS UNDER TOGETHER HOUSING FINANCIAL REGULATIONS. THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION. Together Housing has directly awarded a 12-month contract to Softcat PLC, for the provision of VMWare and vSphere licensing, following the receipt of no suitable bids in a procurement exercise conducted from December 2023 - January 2024 for this provision. Such procurement exercise was originally conducted through Lot 3 of the RM6098 Framework from CCS. Such direct award has been undertaken due to "No Suitable Tenders" having been received during the procurement process, arising from significant discrepancy between planned budgeted spend and commercial pricing within tender responses received. Under Together Housing Financial Regulations, a Procurement Exemption for Below-Threshold Contracts may be granted in certain exceptional circumstances. In this instance and arising from the receipt of unsuitable tender responses, such exemption has been granted on the basis that: - Service Continuity is a requirement to support continued THG Digital Operations - The bids received through the competitive procurement exercise, if accepted, would have constituted a significant financial risk and lack of VFM for Together Housing - The conducting of such a direct award mirrors the justification principles set out in Regulation 32.2(a), though this contract is a below threshold contract. - The Exemption has been granted for a 12-month only contract, rather than the initially planned 4 year term. As Together Housing approaches the close of the 12-month contract, the organisation will conduct a further procurement exercise for this provision (which may be for the replacement of licensing or of the product itself, subject to the strategic decision of Together Housing at the time it begins to shape its procurement plans for this provision) Read full description ## CPV classification Software package and information systems Source Contracts Finder (UK) [View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/a7ca1275-51a6-4be3-a005-468610114c41) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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