Outcome of £300m schools ICT framework delayed

Bidders left deflated after government postpones issuing intention-to-award letters

The government has delayed the outcome of its incoming £300m schools ICT framework because it is still sifting through the high volume of responses.

Crown Commercial Services (CCS) informed suppliers this afternoon that it would not be issuing intention-to-award letters for its ICT for Education Framework today, as planned.

"We have had a high level of interest in this procurement and are continuing to evaluate responses," the missive said.

"As such, we will not be issuing the intention-to-award letters today as expected. We will update you again shortly."

One bidder, who leaked the email to CRN, said he was disappointed by news of the delay to the framework, which is a successor to the old Becta schools ICT framework.

"We put so much effort into this and finding out whether we'd made it was meant to be the highlight of our day," said the bidder.

The deadline for tenders to be submitted was 19 December. Intention-to-award letters were due to be issued today, with framework agreements set to be dished out on 24 March to a maximum of 20 candidates, although this will now inevitably be pushed back.

Equipment supplied through the framework, which is known as RM1050, will include hardware, software, networks, peripherals, AV, user devices and mobile connectivity.