Centerprise cashes in on Treasury SMB deal

Reseller snaps up £2.5m lot on IT framework

The Treasury has awarded an SMB section of a multimillion-pound IT deal to Centerprise, claiming the move demonstrates its commitment to levelling the playing field for smaller suppliers.

Last year, the Treasury unveiled its £255m ICT 2015 Programme - a framework which was split into three lots: core IT; printing; and media and wireless.

The latter - which the Treasury has since labelled as an SMB-focused lot - was won by Centerprise, which will supply the body with media and wireless kit for four years.

Centerprise will provide wireless, television and videoconferencing services as well as meeting room support services as part of the deal, which the Treasury claims is a good signal for SMB IT suppliers.

Stephen Allot, crown representative for small and medium-sized enterprises, said: "I'm delighted that [the] Treasury is leading the way in making its procurement processes more accessible, whilst at the same time getting full value from SMBs.

"It's an important way of opening the door to them and absolutely fits in with the government's aim to provide 25 per cent of government business to that sector."

According to the initial tender document for the Treasury's ICT 2015 Programme, the other lots - core IT and printing - were worth £250m and £2.5m respectively.

Jeremy Nash, Centerprise business manager, said the Treasury deal is a landmark win for the company.

"This contract award is a significant milestone for Centerprise as it coincides with the company having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and is our first central government contract," he said. "This is a flagship contract for us and we are truly excited."