Crown Commercial Service
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New collaborative software deal launched to meet education sector needs
OGCbuying.solutions, an executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce in HM Treasury, and Becta have launched a new collaborative deal under which a wide range of software will be available to schools and other educational institutions.
The new arrangements came into effect on 9 October 2008 and replace the previous successful Becta software licensing framework agreement. They will provide education sector customers with a quick, EU-compliant route to procure software in the following categories:
a. Operating Systems
b. Office Productivity and
Database
c. Design, Development and Testing Tools
d.
Network and Security Software
e. Utilities, Data Management
and Storage
f. Enterprise Resource Planning and Management
Information Software
Both proprietary and open source options will be available to meet customers' specific needs, and they will also be able to access a range of supporting services including purchasing advice, software sourcing, technical support, training and licence management.
The 12 successful suppliers who tendered are:
* Academia Ltd
* Civica Services Ltd
* European
Electronique
* Insight Direct (UK) Ltd
* Joskos Solutions
Ltd
* Pugh Computers Ltd
* Ramesys ( e-business services)
Ltd
* RM plc
* SCC
* Sirius Corporation
*
Trustmarque Solutions
* Viglen Limited
Joan Murray, ICT Software Category Director at OGCbuying.solutions, said today:
"We're delighted to have worked closely with our partners at Becta to offer education sector customers a convenient, value-for-money vehicle for meeting their software requirements. Customers will be able to browse the suppliers' framework agreements or issue an Invitation to Quote online by logging on to a dedicated area of the OGCbuying.solutions' website http://www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk to access all of the information they need for an online procurement."
Dr Stephen Lucey, Executive Director, Strategic Technologies, at Becta added:
"The previous Becta framework agreement proved to be a valuable procurement mechanism for the education sector in delivering cost effective software solutions. Over its three and a half year duration £49.5m of business was transacted yielding £25.9m worth of savings.
"We are therefore delighted to see the launch of this OGCbuying.solutions successor framework agreement, the first major procurement project in which Becta has collaborated closely with Buying Solutions. It will ensure that our educational users, including those in the FE and Skills sector, continue to have the opportunity of achieving effective choice and value for money."
For more information about software licensing from Buying Solutions, please contact the team using any of the following routes:
Telephone: 0845 410 2222
Email:
custcare@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk
Web: http://www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About OGCbuying.solutions
OGCbuying.solutions is the trading arm of the Office of Government Commerce, which is itself an office of HM Treasury.
It provides public sector procurement professionals with a route to the products and services they need to maximise procurement efficiency and value for money. Its contracts and framework agreements offer substantial savings through significant buying power, economies of scale and strategic partnerships.
Rigorous tendering and evaluation processes ensure that products and services are checked for quality, price competitiveness, fitness for purpose and compliance with statutory requirements. These products and services are available through OGCbuying.solutions' framework agreements, managed services and other procurement arrangements.
More details are available on the website: http://www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk
The Office of Government Commerce is an independent office of HM Treasury, established to help Government deliver best value from its spending. The OGC works with central Government departments and other public sector organisations to provide policy standards and guidance on best practice in procurement, projects and estate management, and monitors and challenges Departments' performance against these standards, grounded in an evidence base of information and assurance.
It promotes and fosters collaborative procurement across the public sector to deliver better value for money and better public services; and it provides innovative ways to develop Government's commercial and procurement capability, including leadership of the Government Procurement Service.
More details are available on the website: http://www.ogc.gov.uk
About Becta
Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. Becta's ambition is to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.
Becta does this in many ways. It works with government to lead the delivery and development of the e-strategy, and influence the strategic direction and development of national education policy, to best take advantage of new and emerging technology. Becta also works with industry and education providers to make sure the right technology is available, and sets standards and provides tools that help establish and promote best practice.
More details are available on the website: http://www.becta.org.uk
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