merrion street

The public sector can now purchase notebook and tablet computers at very competitive rates, thanks to a new Office of Government Procurement Framework Agreement announced today by Brian Hayes, T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works.

The Framework Agreement allows public sector bodies to buy standard office and school notebook computers and standard tablet computers from 5 companies: Datapac Ltd; Dell Products Ireland; Fujitsu (Ireland) Ltd; Hewlett-Packard (Ireland) Ltd; PC Peripherals. Prices are on average 30% lower than current retail prices. In addition to these reductions, further discounts are available from 3 of the 5 companies for public sector bodies that use online or electronic payments

Speaking at today’s announcement, Minister Hayes welcomed the fact that two Irish SMEs – Datapac Ltd and PC Peripherals - have managed to successfully compete with multinationals and earn a place on the framework, “this is evidence of the Government’s commitment to encouraging Irish firms to compete for Government business, and is an example to SMEs to avail of the range of OGP supports in place.”

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Note to Editor:

The Framework Agreement is available to: central government departments and offices; non-commercial state agencies; local authorities; the health sector; the education sector; An Garda Síochána; the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service.

The Framework Agreement is compliant with the EU tendering requirements, meaning that it will not be necessary for public sector bodies to take part in full competitive tendering when buying these types of computer. To buy from the framework, a public sector body will simply need to hold a mini-competition whenever they require a notebook or tablet.

The new contract will be for an initial period of one year with an option to extend it for two further periods of six months each.