Currently, UMass's largest active procurement initiative, the IT VAR Program, involves an annual Information Technology (IT) expenditure of over $40 million, covering hardware, software, and services.
The IT VAR Program 2.0 initiative is set to be competitively rebid in 2026.
What is IT VAR?
Today, UMass partners with three IT Value-Added Resellers (VARs) — a contracted supplier that negotiates system-wide pricing with major manufacturers like Cisco, Juniper Networks, Aruba, Extreme, and Rubrik (known as Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs) and provides dedicated IT support across all campuses. The current IT VAR contract expires September 30, 2026, presenting an opportunity to refresh this critical sourcing relationship and capture greater value for the entire UMass system.
Why Now?
- The current VAR 1.0 contract expires September 30, 2026.
- The last bid was only 5 years ago, but the market has changed significantly — new entrants, new pricing models, and renewed competitive pressure warrant a full refresh.
- VAR 1.0 was scoped at $25M; it grew to $40M — VAR 2.0 starts at full scale from day one.
Comparing IT VAR 2.0 to IT VAR 1.0
In 2023, UPST collaborated with UITS and campus CIOs to launch VAR 1.0. This project streamlined the UMass system's IT Value Added Resellers (VAR) supplier base into three strategic contracts.
VAR 2.0 will build on the insights gained from VAR 1.0 while expanding the range of services offered and adapting to competitive market changes.
| Category | VAR 1.0 | VAR 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted Spend | $25M | $40+M |
| Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM) | OEM-direct excluded | OEM-direct included |
To learn more, please visit the IT VAR Program 1.0.
Learn More
Additional information and resources about IT VAR 2.0 will be available soon, so please check back frequently for updates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to A&FSupport@umassp.edu.
Bid Committee Members
Project Lead: Alex Therkelsen, UPST Category Manager
- Amherst: Kathie Terry
- Boston: David Albrecht
- Dartmouth: Jackie Ryan and Margaret Dias
- Lowell: Cher Hugus
- Chan Medical School: Scott Dziewietin
- President's Office: Kelly Weeks and Lynda Caines