Scottish government hunting for £50m tablet supplier

Tender for National Framework for Tablet Client Devices published

The Scottish government is searching for a single supplier to provide it with up to £50m worth of tablets and associated technology.

The National Framework for Tablet Client Devices will run for two years initially, with the option to extend for a further two thereafter. Over that time, the estimated value of the framework will range between £40m and £50m, according to a recently published tender document.

The framework agreement will be with one single supplier, it added.

At the moment, XMA is the sole supplier for this iteration of the framework, which is due to end in May, but was extended for a year.

Public sector bodies across Scotland, including the police, prison service, local councils and NHS bodies, will have access to the devices.

"The scope of the framework is for the provision of tablet client devices, accessories and all services associated with the deployment of these devices," the tender said.

"There will be a mandatory requirement to submit evaluation tablet client devices which meet the technical requirements detailed in the tender documentation. These devices will be subject to a rigorous technical evaluation to ensure they meet the minimum requirements of the framework in terms of specification, functionality, performance and lifespan."