Update on ICT Equipment Procurement Frameworks for Schools

[Tom Lonergan (PDST)]

Hi,

this note provides an update on ICT equipment procurement frameworks for schools.

As the PC and Notebook frameworks (from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP)) have changed recently I’m currently updating the information on our website on these, and this will be available shortly. Frameworks are procurement tools which should simplify the process of procuring ICT equipment, though in some cases they may not always be the most suitable or fit-for-purpose tool to use. Some were set up specifically to support schools (for example both the ‘Projector Framework’ and ‘CAD Computers for Schools’). Others such as the updated version of the ‘PC Framework’ and ‘Notebook and Tablet Framework’ were set up by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) for a wider range of public bodies including schools to use, and may be appropriate for schools for some situations but not in all cases.

 

Note: Any schools that have specific queries on procuring ICT equipment or infrastructure are welcome to email me directly, for example in situations where no framework exists.

 

The existing frameworks which are of most relevance for schools are:

 

1: The Digital Projector framework is managed by PDST Technology in Education. It’s available at:

http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/Purchasing-Frameworks/

 

2: CAD Computers for Schools. (for t4/design and Communications Graphics/DCG). This is used by post-primary schools who need to purchase higher specification computers for CAD work.

The link for this is: www.t4.ie/Procurement_CAD_Computers.html

 

3: The Notebook (and Tablet) Framework  (from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP))

This framework was updated recently with Notebooks and Tablets from 5 companies. The companies are: Datapac, Dell, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, and PC Peripherals.

However the Tablet framework may be of limited value to schools as all tablets listed are ‘Microsoft Windows’ tablets from Microsoft partners, so Apple iPads and Android Tablets are not included.

The link is: http://www.procurement.ie/buyers/contracts/2035 . However in order for schools to access relevant information/documents, they need to log in as a buyer. As such I’ve attached then relevant documents. I’ll also add them to our website to make them more easily accessible.

 

4: The PC Framework (from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP))

This framework was updated recently with notebooks and tablets from 5 companies. The companies are:  Datapac, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, PC Peripherals, and PFH Technologies.

The link is http://www.procurement.ie/buyers/contracts/2069 . However in order for schools to access relevant information/documents, they need to log in as a buyer. As such I’ve attached then relevant documents. I’ll also add them to our website to make them more easily accessible.

 

5: For Apple equipment, HEAnet have a Framework in place, which we link to from:

http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/Purchasing-Frameworks/

The direct link is:

http://www.heanet.ie/services/cm/existing_agreements/mac_iosfw

 

For other ICT related areas feel free to email me directly, and I’ll try to assist if I can.

 

Best Regards

Tom Lonergan

PDST Technology in Education,

www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie

 

 

[Pat Burke]

Thanks Tom

My main question is: are schools *obliged* to use these frameworks? 

[Tom Lonergan (PDST)]

Hi Pat,

In general two situations apply:

 

1)      Where schools are using their own funding:

In this case schools are not obliged to use frameworks. In this case it would be recommended to a minimum of 3 or more quotes to get good value.

 

2)      Where schools are using funding provided by the Dept’ of Education and Skills (DES):

In this case where suitable frameworks exist, schools are recommended to use the frameworks to seek quotes, however schools may also seek quotes from other sources, and when evaluating responses, can use their judgement to select the tender response (from within or outside a framework) which provides best value, according to their evaluation criteria.

 

Regards

Tom

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[Cormac Cahill]

Does this not mean that in reality there isn't really any need for a procurement process as a school will quite likely just go local (handy if anything goes wrong). Always wondered why the department didn't just contact one company tell them they wanted to spend a fortune and then get computers for a knock down price. 

Cormac
Seolta ó mo iPhone

[Tom Lonergan (PDST)]

Hi Cormac,

which company would you recommend !

Tom

[Hassan Dabbagh]

:) don't answer that Cormac it's a trick question ........ The force is very strong with Tom. 

I like the idea of bigger companies fighting to get the schools business, it pains me to say this (ex local reseller) but sometimes the local guy isn't the answer. Schools in my humble opinion NEEED a company with a 24hour turn around, three days Max, I've often said that when a teacher is without their computer for one day in normal people terms it is in fact like being without a PC for 9 days, each class is like a day. I would always try and have two/three PCs on stand by just incase, a company that can do that will truly rule this market space. 

I'm sorry If I went off topic. 

Hassan Dabbagh

0879044716 

[Cormac Cahill]

Hi Tom,

I'm known for my affiliation with one particular company but I'm not going to promote any one company when it comes to just getting tech into schools. I still visit schools where the computer is something which sits in the corner with the word Ríomhaire over it. It's never turned on and some aren't even sure if it would work if they did. The collective bargaining power of every school in Ireland purchasing has never been harnessed. I can't see any company turning their noses up to an offer like supplying schools. In our school (just like many others) it's a hodge podge collection of every PC you can possibly imagine. Look at the interest shown recently in people signing up to get reduced energy prices. Could see schools getting just as enthused about getting the latest specs at a reduced rate. 

Cormac

Seolta ó mo iPhone

[Joe Halpin]

Cormac,
I notice you say "the collective bargaining power of schools has never been harnessed".

Can I just clarify that is not true. We launched a Group Procurement Scheme for schools in 2009. The scheme got absolutely no support from various school bodies / representatives. We took a stand at the IPPN conference for 2 years which cost over €2,000. We spent close on €150,000 promoting the scheme and after all that we could only get 38 schools around the country to come on board. The schools that did come together were delighted and would confirm the savings were VERY significant. In fact the prices we, as a group of 40 schools, were able to obtain were far cheaper than the Government Framework.

Our Group was dismissed by the OPW who instructed suppliers not to supply us or even give us pricing.

All in all it was a real eye opener to us in the inefficiencies of public procurement.




Joe

www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie <http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie>

[Cormac Cahill]

That's quite shocking. In a time when every penny counts it's amazing people are still prepared to pay more than they need to. We're our own worst enemies sometimes. I guess in some instances it's an agenda by someone or other but if a school contacted me, told me they could save me money if we joined together I would be on it in a shot. Being told you cannot screams someone with an alternative agenda. 

Cormac

Seolta ó mo iPad

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[Hassan Dabbagh]

I have no words!

Sent from my iPhone

[Peter Lydon]

If you have solid evidence that the OPW instructed suppliers not to supply you....then that is very serious indeed...in fact it would be illegal. This should be brought to the attention at least of the Dail...though I am sure you’d have to right to legal redress.
Peter

            The link for this is: www.t4.ie/Procurement_CAD_Computers.html <http://www.t4.ie/Procurement_CAD_Computers.html>

             

            3: The Notebook (and Tablet) Framework  (from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP))

            This framework was updated recently with Notebooks and Tablets from 5 companies. The companies are: Datapac, Dell, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, and PC Peripherals.

            However the Tablet framework may be of limited value to schools as all tablets listed are ‘Microsoft Windows’ tablets from Microsoft partners, so Apple iPads and Android Tablets are not included.

            The link is: http://www.procurement.ie/buyers/contracts/2035 . However in order for schools to access relevant information/documents, they need to log in as a buyer. As such I’ve attached then relevant documents. I’ll also add them to our website to make them more easily accessible.

             

            4: The PC Framework (from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP))

            This framework was updated recently with notebooks and tablets from 5 companies. The companies are:  Datapac, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, PC Peripherals, and PFH Technologies.

            The link is http://www.procurement.ie/buyers/contracts/2069 . However in order for schools to access relevant information/documents, they need to log in as a buyer. As such I’ve attached then relevant documents. I’ll also add them to our website to make them more easily accessible.

             

            5: For Apple equipment, HEAnet have a Framework in place, which we link to from:

            http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/Purchasing-Frameworks/

            The direct link is:

            http://www.heanet.ie/services/cm/existing_agreements/mac_iosfw

             

            For other ICT related areas feel free to email me directly, and I’ll try to assist if I can.

             

            Best Regards

            Tom Lonergan

            PDST Technology in Education,

            www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie <http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie>  <http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie>

             

             

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[Joe Halpin]

Peter,
The Buying Group was seen as a commercial competition to the Governments own procurement - even though we were a Buying Group. We were told that we could not buy from the suppliers as that would be disclosing the price they (the Government) had negotiated. The purpose of our group was to get the best possible deal for each school and if that was through the Framework so be it. But we certainly were going to try elsewhere for price comparisons. It was silly of the OPW as it was incredibly simple to get the Framework pricing anyway.

It was also a little bit flattering to think our little group was a threat to a large Government Framework. I spoke to 2 Government TD's about it. Did think of legal redress but we simply did not have the resources to fight "the system".

To answer the original question you DO NOT have to go through the Framework for ANYTHING. Simply get three quotations (which, if done correctly, will be significantly cheaper than the Framework) and once you can justify running with one of the quotations you have done your duty.

There is no reason you cannot do what our little group did. The beauty of our Buying Group was we did it collectively so if you were looking for a projector we, as a group, already had done the legwork. Also because we were buying something everyday, when we were on looking for pricing the supplier knew we were looking to buy for a member and not "wasting their time".

[Bije Barrett]

I would be inclined every time to 3 criteria.

1) cheapest option.

2) Shop local

3) Shop with the company that proved to me they were the genuine option.

Actually the last option would always still be my drive.

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Best Regards,

Bije Barrett