Credit: PA

The Prime Minister’s Office has spent almost £1m on a contract to fulfil its Microsoft licensing needs.

Downing Street has awarded a three-year contract, worth £940,000, to US-based IT reseller Insight. The deal came into effect on 1 April and offers the option for the two extensions of 12 months.

Procurement documents indicate that the contract covers the provision of licences for 17 different Microsoft products – although, in all cases, details are redacted.

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But the contract makes clear that Insight will be required to ensure that products are upgraded and renewed as required.

“The supplier shall… ensure that all software, including upgrades, updates and new releases used by or on behalf of the supplier are currently supported versions of that software and perform in all material respects in accordance with the relevant specification… [and] ensure that the deliverables are fully compatible with any buyer software, buyer system, or otherwise used by the supplier in connection with this contract.” 

Headquartered in Phoenix, Insight posted global revenue of $8.3bn (£5.9bn) in 2020. Its UK operation, headquartered in Sheffield, generates annual sales of close to £600m.