Up to 100 suppliers sought for five-lot contract
The Crown Commercial Service is inviting bids from potential suppliers for a spot on a £550m framework through which educations institutions can buy a range of hardware and connectivity services.
The Education Technology deal is scheduled to come into effect on 9 May – about two weeks after the expiry date of the ICT Services for Education framework that it will replace.
The incoming deal has an estimated worth of £550m over the course of its 42-month lifespan. This is close to double the £300m worth of the outgoing framework. Unlike the ICT Services for Education vehicle, the new framework will also be split into lots.
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The first of the deal’s five sections covers “ICT solutions”, which includes “the provision of a technology fit-out of a new school, existing and other educational establishments”. This lot effectively represents a “continuation of the existing scope and services” of the incumbent framework.
The second lot addresses the design and implementation of “broadband fibre infrastructure”, while the third is dedicated to “broadband services”. The fourth lot covers “hardware”, which includes machines and peripherals, as well as cabling and some networking kit.
The final lot addresses “audiovisual” hardware, such as electronic whiteboards, screens, and audio equipment – but not conferencing services themselves.
Once it goes live, the Education Technology framework will be open for use by “schools, training institutions, and further education institutions”, across the UK.
Bids are open until 21 January, and CCS expects to appoint up to 20 suppliers to each of the five lots. The outgoing framework has just 20 suppliers in total.
