Government computer hardware contracts come up for grabs

The Government is gearing up to award hardware contracts together worth tens of millions of dollars.

Internal Affairs will issue requests for proposals from computer and office equipment vendors today and hold briefings for them later this week.

Individual suppliers or supplier consortiums will be able to bid to supply one or more of three computer categories – desktop computers, laptops and tablet notebooks.

There is one office equipment contract up for grabs – for the supply of three types of multifunctional devices and three types of laser printers.

Internal Affairs will negotiate the contracts as part of a government bid to cut procurement costs.

It is expected $58 million will be spent on the computer hardware contract in the first year and $18.5m spent on multi-functional devices, according to a Cabinet paper on the reform.

Government departments are required to move to the new contract arrangements as soon as possible after July and before July 2012.

Agencies in the wider state sector such as school boards of trustees and district health boards will be encouraged to purchase through the contracts, but this is optional.

New Zealand School Trustees Association Ray Newport says it is pleased the contracts are available to school boards should they need them.

"Boards are actually quite good at achieving economies of scale within their own particular communities or towns. They have friends and all sorts of connections that enable them to get pretty good value."

District Health Boards New Zealand spokesman Phil Cammish says the organisation supports the procurement initiative.

The Economic Development Ministry estimates the Government spends $71 million on new PCs each year.

- © Fairfax NZ News