Softcat awarded sole supplier status on colossal £160m framework

Reseller to bolster Scottish presence after winning deal

Softcat has won the only spot on a £160m public sector framework which will see it supply software to Scottish public sector bodies.

The four-year deal, which started on 2 July, will see Softcat provide off-the-shelf software, as well as a range of support services including the running of helpdesks and maintaining licences.

NHS National Services Scotland runs the framework, which is available to all Scottish public sector organisations.

Softcat CEO Graeme Watt said: "I am delighted that Softcat has been awarded this tender.

"It is a great testament to our team, to NHS National Services Scotland and the broader market in Scotland.

"We are very pleased and excited by this award and now look forward to delivering on our commitments. Well done to everyone involved."

A previous framework, awarded in 2012, saw Trustmarque provide similar services to the Scottish public sector, before an update in 2015 saw Trustmarque partner with local firm Microtech.

According to the contract notice, the new framework will be worth between £60m and £160m.

Softcat's public sector director Anthony Cowen said the firm will look to bolster its workforce in Scotland after securing the deal. Softcat opened its Glasgow office in 2016.

"We decided to bid for this business to strengthen our offering to Scottish customers, with the aim of providing a highly reputable route to market for their software requirements," Cowen said.

"I'm pleased to confirm that winning this contract will directly lead to a boost in creating Scottish jobs.

"Softcat has already set about growing our Scottish public-sector team within our Glasgow office."