VAR trio battles it out on £7m framework

SCC, Block Solutions and Alternative Networks win place on framework to supply medical research organisation

Three resellers have won a place on a lucrative framework worth up to £7m with medical research centre the Francis Crick Institute (FCI).

Resellers SCC, Block Solutions and Alternative Networks were selected from a group of five bidders to join the framework.

Each VAR is now in with a chance to supply the institute with a variety of solutions including storage networks, unified communications, wireless and firewalls through the framework, which will last for five years.

The three were picked based on their proposals which were judged mainly on the price and technical pitches, with the design, procurement and implementation strategy, site visits and interviews also taken into consideration.

Slated to open in 2015, the FCI is set to employ 1,250 scientists to research ways of preventing and treating conditions such as cancer, heart disease, strokes, infections and neurodegenerative diseases and will have an operating budget of more than £100m.

An SCC representative said they were excited to begin working with the trust, adding: "We are delighted to be accepted as one of the key partners on the new framework, and will be working closely to maximise value for money in our products and services."