VARs awarded place on £300m schools ICT framework

21 suppliers given the green light on Becta successor

The government has awarded 21 suppliers a place on a lucrative schools ICT framework, CRN understands.

The ICT for Education framework was unveiled by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) last October and is the successor to the Becta framework. It is expected to be worth £300m over four years.

CRN understands successful bidders were informed yesterday.

According to a leaked document sent to CRN, the successful suppliers are: Bramble Hub, Lend Lease Construction, XMA, Joskos, Oasis IT Services, Gaia Technologies, Civica, Dataspire Solutions, RM, Babcock Education, Capita Business Services, Computer Systems in Education, Ergo Computing, Mouchel Management Consulting, Softcat, Circle IT, Kelway, Centerprise, Misco, CAE Technology Services and European Electronique.

According to the initial tender document for the framework, the suppliers will be charged with providing a range of ICT equipment to schools including services, networks, software, internet, cabling and data services.

During the tender process, the CCS came under fire from some suppliers which claimed smaller firms bidding for the business were at a disadvantage compared with their larger competitors due to them having fewer resources.