Big players miss the cut on major academies framework

ChannelWeb understands notable names were missing as suppliers for Becta IT Services Framework One were finalised yesterday

School's out: Some established providers are set to face the cold shoulder from Becta

Suppliers on Becta's ICT Services Framework One were confirmed yesterday, with a handful of big names missing the cut, ChannelWeb understands.

The framework contains Infrastructure and Mobile Connectivity and ICT Service Integrator sections. Chosen suppliers were informed yesterday – one day later than the planned date of 25 October.

Due to the constraints of the 10-day 'cooling-off' period, ChannelWeb is, as yet, unable to reveal the names of the successful firms. But it is understood that the decision is set to spark controversy, with several notable players in the education IT space conspicuous by their absence.

Among other things, the framework will cover the supply of technology to the burgeoning academies space. Currently more than 1,000 schools and colleges are on a fast-track path to becoming academies, with another 1,000 seeking to attain academy status.

In May the government announced it was winding down Becta. Two weeks later, the education IT buying body confirmed it would wrap up work on ICT Services Framework One. The agreements will now be novated to the Department for Education, which will assume all contract management responsibilities.

Speaking in June, Becta's executive director of strategic technologies Dr Stephen Lucey, said: "Framework One will support schools and colleges who will now have greater freedom when it comes to determining their ICT needs. Our framework will make the whole process of procuring ICT much simpler and quicker and will give them access to a broad range of approved suppliers.

"It will provide value for money and will help reduce their procurement costs. It will also help drive greater reliability of their ICT systems, generate efficiencies and reduce bureaucracy. Because Framework One is flexible and has been designed to respond to local needs, its use will provide institutions with the assurance that the public money they're spending locally is being spent wisely."

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