Department signs deal with IT reseller XMA
Credit: Edward Smith/EMPICS Entertainment
The Department for Work and Pensions has signed a deal worth up to £4m for devices that can support the development of services optimised for Apple operating systems.
The department has awarded a one-year contract to IT reseller XMA. The company will be tasked with providing machines that work with both Apple software and the DWP’s existing computing infrastructure.
The deal covers “the provision of laptop devices operating on an operating system that is compatible with macOS and peripherals to ensure compatibility and interoperability with DWP’s existing estate including without limitation: the device build, infrastructure, IT systems and software”.
“The supplier shall enrol the device on Apple Device Enrolment Programme (DEP) [or] Apple Business Manager,” the contract added.
Related content
- DWP in-house IT firm BPDTS Ltd to merge with digital function
- Inside DWP’s digital coronavirus response – APIs, reuse and micro-services
- DWP Digital launches apprentice scheme
The deal, which commenced on 7 September, will run for an initial term of one year which will be worth an estimated £2m to XMA – although up to £4m could be spent, according to the contract. The DWP also has the option to extend the engagement for a further 12 months.
The aim of the procurement is to better enable the department to develop services for machines that run on operating systems other than Windows.
“Please note that the devices must be fit for purpose to be used for zero trust non-Windows application development,” the department said.
‘Zero trust’ is a model of IT security that is based on the concept of verifying all network traffic – including that within the bounds of a corporate network that may otherwise have been trusted.
