£990m Universities Software Framework Goes Live with CDW, Phoenix, and Academia Leading the Way
A recent iteration of the Software Licenses Reseller & Consulting Services Framework (SLRA) launched on March 23, 2026, offering a compliant route for universities and public sector organizations to procure software and related services. The framework, valued at approximately £990 million, is designed to foster strategic partnerships rather than transactional relationships with suppliers, according to the Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC).
Key Resellers Secure Framework Positions
CDW UK and Phoenix Software achieved success across all eight Lots of the SLRA universities framework. Academia the Technology Group secured top ranking on four of the seven Lots it participated in. Other resellers awarded positions include boxxe, Bytes, Insight, MTI, Pugh Computers, Softcat, Sync, Trustmarque, VE3, and XMA.
Lot Values and Key Software Categories
The framework is structured into several Lots, with Microsoft (Lot 1) and Commercial Off the Shelf Software (Lot 4) representing the largest portions, estimated at £400 million and £300 million respectively. Adobe software is allocated across two Lots, valued at £100 million and £50 million, while VMware has a dedicated Lot worth £40 million. Strategic Asset Management, Cloud Readiness, and Cyber Security Lots (5a, 5b, and 5c) each have a predicted value of £50 million.
Academia’s Strategic Position
Mark McCormack, Managing Director of Academia, highlighted the importance of the SLRA framework, stating it is “a highly respected and widely used route to market for universities.” IT Channel Oxygen reports that achieving ‘Rank 1’ status on four Lots strengthens Academia’s position as a trusted partner, enabling quicker engagement with institutions and a more solutions-led approach.
Framework Structure and Benefits
The SUPC emphasizes that the new framework prioritizes building strategic partnerships with suppliers. Once established, universities can utilize the framework to expedite individual orders under pre-agreed terms, streamlining the procurement process. The framework is set to run for a two-year period, with the possibility of a two-year extension.
Related reading