Public Procurement and Property

Award of ‘Technology Peripherals and Infrastructure’ framework

May 12, 2022 by Melissa Reilly No Comments | Category framework agreements, ICT, Scottish Procurement

We have concluded the re-let of the current IT Peripherals framework, which will be relaunched as the Technology Peripherals and Infrastructure framework. The new agreement covers the previous framework scope of General Peripherals, Audio-Visual; Print; and Networking equipment and has been expanded to include Servers and Storage.

This new framework is open to all Scottish public sector, including third-sector organisations.

The framework will commence on 16 May 2022 for an initial 2 year period until 15 May 2024 with the option of 2 x 12-month extensions for a maximum period of 4 years.

The framework is structured in 2 separate Lots. Lot 1 is for a single supplier, awarded to Computacenter (UK) Ltd and Lot 2 is multi-supplier and has been awarded to Computacenter (UK) Ltd, Insight Direct (UK) Ltd, Softcat Ltd and XMA Limited. All suppliers have global operations but with local services based within Scotland.

This approach is different from the previous single supplier, single lot framework and provides a broader scope and better value for the public sector organisations.

Lot 1 will continue to offer a Catalogue of IT Hardware, providing an easy route to market for the complete range of products and services through Computacenter’s TechSource web portal. The single supplier catalogue will deliver value for money, standardisation and transactional efficiencies.

Lot 2 has been created in response to customer feedback as a new added value offering and will cover more complex IT Infrastructure projects. Users will have the opportunity to test the market and run further competitions for their own specific complex or higher value requirements.

Projects under Lot 2 may include but are not limited to the design, supply, installation, maintenance, disposal of infrastructure hardware and all associated services and solutions including Local Area Networking (LAN); Power Systems; Security solutions; and Data Connectivity.

All suppliers are committed to paying the real Living Wage to staff directly involved in delivering services under the framework agreement.

Benefits

• An easy route to market to access a diverse range of transactional products and associated services at market leading prices on Lot 1;
• Opportunity to drive best value for money for more complex and/or higher value solutions through further competition on Lot 2;
• Access to a consistent level of service to all Framework Public Bodies, regardless of size or geographical location;
• Access to environmentally-conscious solutions and energy efficient products;
• Consolidated ordering and deliveries and achieve greater environmental and transitional efficiencies;
• Consideration of Scottish Government’s aspirations with regards to ethical, social, economic, environmental and sustainability issues; including payment of the Real Living Wage and delivery of community benefits.

Pricing methodology

• On Lot 1, products can be purchased directly and are offered at the supplier’s cost price plus their % mark-up. Delivery costs and rate card information are also provided.
• On Lot 2, customers must run a mini-competition process based on their own specific requirements and can assign the relevant Quality and Price weightings. Suppliers are required to submit a cost price plus their % mark-up value for each product group.

Sustainability

The new framework will continue to offer products which minimise negative environmental impacts and meet or exceed minimum energy efficiency standards to reduce their overall environmental impact. Under the Framework Agreement the successful supplier have committed to manage, measure and improve environmental performance in a number of key areas to support Scottish Government’s sustainability objectives and targets.

These include:

• Maximising energy efficiency through the use of EPEAT and Energy Star certified products;
• Minimising waste and reducing the use and environmental impact of packaging;
• Minimising waste and supporting the transition to a circular economy through end of life initiatives to recover, refurbish and redeploy equipment;
• Reducing carbon and other greenhouse gases through order consolidation, improving delivery efficiency, reduction in vehicle mileage and use of electric vehicles;
• Minimising the use of hazardous materials and emissions;
• Operation of a Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) compliant recycling services.

Scottish-based support

Computacenter (UK) Ltd’s Framework and Sales Order Management team will be based at their Edinburgh office and will be serviced and supported by storage and distribution facilities located in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness and Livingston.

Insight Direct (UK) have over 40 staff based in their Hamilton office and have partnered with a Scottish SME, MGH Scotland Ltd, for secure data wiping and WEEE recycling services. Insight have an extensive network of partners and relationships, including 28 Scottish based SMEs.

Softcat have a dedicated public sector team of 28 staff based at their Glasgow office and have a broad network of Scottish SMEs, based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife to deliver a range of infrastructure, AV and Cyber security services.

XMA will manage the framework from their Glasgow office and will provide offsite storage, build and configuration services from their East Kilbride facility. XMA have partnered with HPE Financial Services in Erskine and a Scottish SME, Re-Tek to provide de-installation and asset recovery services across Scotland, creating further local socio-economic benefits.

Framework documentation will shortly be available on the secure stakeholder group “Procurement Information Network” within Knowledge Hub.

If you do not have access to the secure stakeholder site, please ensure you are registered on Knowledge Hub and complete and return the attached template document to the ICT Products team below.

Bryan Dodds – bryan.dodds@gov.scot
Senior Portfolio Specialist

Jack Graham – jack.graham@gov.scot
Portfolio Officer

For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit www.gov.scot/procurement

Please email enquiries to scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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Tags: framework agreements, ICT, procurement

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