Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV15FB
UK
E-mail: Procurement@coventry.ac.uk
NUTS: UKG33
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Palo Alto Contract Variation
Reference number: FRAM-1353-24-TH
II.1.2) Main CPV code
48000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
The 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.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
74 433.72
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The 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.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights
Explanation
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.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
07/08/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
CDW Ltd
02465350
3rd Floor One New Change
London
EC4M 9AF
UK
E-mail: coventry@uk.cdw.com
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 74 433.72
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB
UK
E-mail: Procurement@coventry.ac.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
21/08/2026