UK government names schools' IT suppliers

The UK government has named the 12 preferred vendors which will supply schools with technology under the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) scheme.

IBM, Bull and Research Machines are among the vendors that will make up NGfL Managed Services - a one-stop hardware and software shop for schools.

Schools minister, Charles Clarke, described NGfL Managed Services as a new model for public service procurement. "We're trying to change from a situation where you've got 25,000 schools and 150 local education authorities all negotiating separate contracts with a small number of computer suppliers, to a system based on 12 companies which have gone through rigorous and independent checks for value for money and quality," he said.

George Martin, business development director at Bull, said: "Schools will still have the opportunity to work with other suppliers if they choose to do so. The purpose of the managed framework agreement is to shorten the procurement process."

The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) has been involved in the process from the start, and will maintain a continuing checking system whereby the companies involved will need to reapply to be part of the Managed Services every 12 months.

Becta will now initiate a series of workshops to establish how the services will be supplied to the schools.

The 12 companies in full are: Akhter, Bull, Centerprise, EIS Kent, Elonex, Hugh Symonds, IBM, Research Machines, XMA, Clifton Reed, Comtec and Xemplar. More details can be found at http://www.dfee.gov.uk