Government 'exploring options' amid IT framework hiatus fears

Time running out after legal challenge stops Technology Products framework dead in its tracks for a second time

The Cabinet Office has confirmed to CRN that it is "exploring options" to ensure continuity of service for public sector buyers after suffering another legal challenge to its incoming Technology Products framework.

Technology Products, the government's new £6bn commodity IT purchasing vehicle, was all set to go live this week having already been delayed by a legal challenge last month that led to five suppliers being added to the line-up.

However, the Cabinet Office confirmed this morning that the framework - which succeeds the soon-to-expire CITHS - has been stopped dead in its tracks a second time following another legal challenge.

This raises the very realistic possibility that Technology Products will not go live before 31 October, when CITHS expires, leaving public sector procurement bods with limited options to procure standard IT kit.

CITHS reached its EU-mandated limit of four years in February but the Cabinet Office managed to bag an exceptional eight-month extension to the framework.

It's unclear whether CITHS can be extended further but a Cabinet Office representative said it is working to find a solution for public-sector buyers.

"We can confirm that we have received a legal challenge in respect of the Technology Products agreement during the standstill period," they said. "We are reviewing our position and will update suppliers in due course. We are also exploring options to ensure continuity of service for our customers."

Some 33 suppliers made it onto the first provisional list of winners, which was announced on 2 September. Five suppliers - ANS, Misco, Software Box, Supplies Team and Centerprise - were added to Lot One after CCS reviewed the outcome following the first legal challenge last month.

Suppliers were notified about the latest delay last night.

Over 85 suppliers initially expressed an interest in Technology Products, which was originally known as IT PASS, information on the CCS' website reveals.

CCS claims it captures more than a quarter of the £1.3bn UK public sector clients spend on commodity IT products annually.