The government is to launch a £355m framework for office supplies and electronic goods. The vehicle will offer public sector buyers the chance to directly award contracts to a single specified supplier, or issue tenders for further competition.
The deal will replace two incumbent buying platforms – which respectively serve central government and the wider public sector. Those contracts run out on 30 and 4 March.
The incoming vehicle will be available for use by any public sector organisation across the UK.
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The framework will consist of three lots. The first of these will cover electronic office goods and stationery. This lot will choose a single supplier to which buyers can directly award contracts, without the need for further competition. This section will be worth an estimated £130m to the chosen bidder.
The second segment will cover the same areas, but will feature up to 20 suppliers. This will allow public-sector entities to launch their own tenders and invite bids from a range of potential providers. This lot comes with a projected value of £170m.
The final section – which will include just electronics – will be another single-supplier lot. Spending over the contract’s lifespan is expected to total about £55m.
The framework will last for an initial term of two years, plus two optional one-year extensions.
Bidding is open until 18 December. The framework is schedule to come into effect on 18 March 2020.