Misco, SCC and Softcat win mega uni desktop deal

Reseller trio win place on framework for Nottingham, Warwick and Birmingham universities

Resellers Misco, SCC and Softcat have been awarded a place on a lucrative desktop framework serving a trio of Midlands universities.

The University of Nottingham (UoN) led the bid for a wide range of desktops, accessories and Microsoft software which will be used by the institution and its subsidiaries along with the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick.

Misco and Softcat beat off another two bidders to clinch a place on the Computer Accessories lot, which is expected to be worth between £200,000 and £4m excluding VAT, according to a recently published contract-award notice.

SCC won a place on the larger Computer Hardware lot, which could be worth between £4m and £40m, the document said.

The UoN chose the resellers based on a range of criteria: supply and service and value for money were the heaviest-weighted requirements but order and delivery and sustainability were also considered.

In the document, UoN said the reseller trio must help it and the other institutions become more efficient in the long term.

"[The suppliers must] deliver an improved level of service and quality to end users and achieve ongoing value for money throughout the duration of the agreement," it said.

"[They must also] improve the efficiency of the ordering process [and] ensure sustainable procurement through reduction in the environmental impact of any equipment purchased under this agreement."