We’re pleased to announce the launch of the new iteration of Software Licences Reseller & Consulting Services Framework (SLRA). The retendered agreement provides a compliant route for universities and other public sector organisation to purchase Software and Associated Services.
This new framework was tendered under PCR15 regulations and offers a cost-effective procurement option, giving access to 13 suppliers across 5 core lots, all with extensive experience in servicing the HE sector.
The agreement will run for a two-year period from 23 March 2026 with a permissible extension through to 23 March 2030, if invoked
Who can access the framework?
The agreement is open to all SUPC members, as well as those from the following consortia:
- Higher Education Purchasing Consortium, Wales (HEPCW)
- London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC)
- Northeast Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC)
- Northwest Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC)
- Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC)
- Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC)
What does the framework cover?
Click each Lot to discover what’s included:
Lot 1: Microsoft and Associated Services
Licensing, renewals, support, maintenance, SaaS and consumption‑based models, plus Microsoft‑specific consultancy. Includes access to sector pricing via Jisc – Chest Agreements.
Lot 2A: Adobe ETLA Agreements
Enterprise‑wide Adobe licensing, renewals and associated support.
Lot 2B: Adobe VIP and Other Adobe Products
Adobe licensing for VIP and other Adobe solutions, including renewals and user‑based subscriptions.
Lot 3: VMware and Associated Services
VMware licensing, maintenance, renewals and specialist consultancy.
Lot 4: Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf (COTS) Software
A broad range of software products including security applications, cloud platforms, SaaS solutions and general software procurement.
Lot 5: Software Services
Sub‑Lot 5A: Software Asset Management (SAM) Services
SAM services help organisations track and manage software licences to ensure compliance, reduce risk and optimise costs. This includes licence inventory and auditing, renewal and cost management, compliance monitoring, security and risk oversight, and the use of automated SAM tools.
Sub‑Lot 5B: Cloud Readiness & Consultancy Services
Assessments reviewing infrastructure, identifying gaps, developing cloud strategies and evaluating risks to support successful cloud adoption.
Sub‑Lot 5C: Cyber Assessment Services
Comprehensive evaluations of an organisation’s security posture to strengthen resilience and support regulatory and sector standards.
Meet the Category Manager
What are the benefits of using the SLRA framework?
- Procurement efficiency – reduces time and administrative costs associated with repeatedly negotiating contracts. Once the framework is in place, individual orders (call-offs) can be made quickly under pre-agreed terms
- Improved SRM – encourages long-term collaboration, which can lead to better service, innovation, and problem-solving. Strategic partnerships are being emphasised more than transactional supplier relationships
- Agreed pricing – pre-negotiated pricing or discount structures can lead to cost savings and easier budgeting
- Better compliance – centralised agreements allow for better control over legal, ethical, and quality standards across multiple purchases
- Expert suppliers – all with vast experience of working within the HE sector
- Framework Levy of 0.25% on Lot 4 and 0.5% on Lots 5a, 5b, 5c.
About SLRA
Meet the suppliers
How has sustainability, equality and diversity been considered as part of the tender?
Sustainability is of key concern to the HE sector, and our suppliers are encouraged to operate and promote sustainable practices. Suppliers were evaluated in terms of their approach to:
- Corporate Social Responsibility, which assessed the practical impact of bidders’ activities on the local community
- Ethical Business Practices, which assessed the ethical policies and practices bidders have in place to maintain responsible business conduct within their operations and supply chain
- Environmental Impact was assessed to understand what steps bidders take to minimise and report their environmental footprint, such as reducing energy consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions in both their operations and those of your supply chain.
Want to learn more?
Full agreement details, including how to use the agreement are available through the Hunter framework management platform.