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New ICT Computer and Storage Infrastructure Framework will deliver value and excellence for the public service - Murphy

Minister Murphy encouraged by high level of SME participation in first national framework of its kind

Minister of State at the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, with special responsibility for Financial Services, eGovernment and Public Procurement, Eoghan Murphy TD has this afternoon (Wednesday) welcomed Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) announcement of a new Framework Agreement for ICT Computer and Storage Infrastructure.

This is the first time a national framework covering such a significant range of ICT equipment and associated services has been delivered on behalf of the entire public sector. The estimated value of the framework, over its initial two year duration, is €14.5m.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Murphy said: ‘I am delighted to see how the OGP has successfully encouraged the SME sector to engage with this valuable tender opportunity with 72% of all the suppliers on the Framework being SMEs’.

“In structuring this tender process, the OGP broke the framework into eight separate lots by equipment type. It used proportionate turnover requirements and appropriate insurance levels, based on the value of the contracts. These are strong and practical measures that have been developed through engaging closely with the SME sector and listening to what they need’, said the Minister.

“This Framework aims to deliver easy access to high-quality ICT goods and services for the public sector, at the best possible price. While ensuring strong SME participation in the tender process, the OGP has also managed to achieve discounts of an average of 45% against the recommended retail price (RRP) with this Framework.”


Notes to Editor
The following goods and services are covered by this Framework Agreement:
· Tier 1 Storage Area Network (SAN) (Enterprise / Carrier Grade SAN)
· Tier 2 Storage Area Network (SAN)
· Tier 3 Entry level Storage Area Networks (SAN)
· Network Attached Storage (NAS)
· Servers
· SPARC Servers (scalable processor architecture)
· Power Processor Servers
· Converged Infrastructure and Associated Equipment and Services for all the above.

233 tender submissions were submitted in response to the RFT across 8 lots for 16 brand groups from 35 Tenderers.