How to win: ID 6421140 - DoF – IT Assist – Provision and Support of a Server Patch Management Solution

About this contract

IT Assist require the provision of a Server Patch Management Tool to patch approximately 2400 servers. IT Assist (The Buyer) has responsibility for the delivery of common IT systems and services to support the business objectives of the 9 Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Departments and approximately 40 Arms-Length organisations. Services are delivered to approximately 28000 NICS staff and customers located across Northern Ireland. The Buyer is responsible for the hosting, administration and maintenance of both virtual and physical server infrastructure. It is anticipated the Contract will be awarded in September 2026, with a 2 week implementation period prior to the Licencing period commencing on 11th October 2026 for an initial period of 3 years with the option to extend for 2 further periods of up to 12 months each for the supply and delivery of a patch management system. Please see document entitled “ID 6421140 – Specification” for full details of the requirement.

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — Department of Finance scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓At £225,000, expect quality and social value to carry a large share of the score — price alone rarely wins services work.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar services contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: it closes 26 August 2026 and a strong bid takes iteration.

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