Official UK procurement notice
Palo Alto Contract Variation
Authority: Coventry University (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe PA3220 Palo Alto firewall licence bundle provides essential network security for Coventry University's Hudson site core business. Without the ability to renew the firewall licences under support, CU is potentially vulnerable to new cyberthreats or exploits such as hacking attempts, ransomware and viruses. The firewall needs to dynamically update its signatures every 30 minutes to provide robust protection at the perimeter (facing the internet).
Leveraged renewal pricing and supplier negotiation by engaging with CDW and Palo Alto to secure incumbent renewal discounts and explore multi-year pricing protections, particularly ahead of EOL timelines. Retention of the bundled" Precision AI" subscription provides a cost effective alternative to purchasing individual security services separately.
Alignment of contract term with lifecycle and ensuring the licensing term aligns with the firewall end-of-life date (31/08/2028) to avoid overpaying beyond usable service life. The best value for money has been secured utilising the incumbent contracted partner, CDW Limited. The cost and time of change would be a challenge if a competitive procurement exercise was conducted.
CPV: Software package and information systems
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Awarded
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 21 Aug 2026, 17:11 BST
- Last source update
- 21 Aug 2026, 17:11 BST
- Authority reference
FRAM-1353-24-TH- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-080097- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e9f8Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights
- Published justification
Alignment of contract term with lifecycle and ensuring the licensing term aligns with the firewall end-of-life date (31/08/2028) to avoid overpaying beyond usable service life. The best value for money has been secured utilising the incumbent contracted partner, CDW Limited. The cost and time of change would be a challenge if a competitive procurement exercise was conducted.
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDW Limited | £74,434 † | — | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 080097-2026-1 · CDW Limited
- Signed
- 7 Aug 2026
- Value
- £74,434
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1bids | — | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- CDW LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.