Duration

The framework is for a period of three years: 8th December 2009 to 7th December 2012. The framework can be extended by a further one (1) year at the sole discretion of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform in conjunction with the ICT Frameworks Steering Group.

Scope of Products and Services

This framework covers the supply of Notebooks and associated products plus associated services from the 5 qualified Vendors’ commercial ranges.

Product or Service	Definition
Notebook Computers	Any Notebook (aka Laptop) from vendors’ commerical range
Associated Products	Products associated with the Notebooks purchased such as port replicator, docking station, battery, USB key, RAM, hard disk etc.
Associated Services	Services associated with the purchase of Notebooks such as unpacking and removal, disposal, installation, asset tracking, buy-back or trade-in, etc.

Participating Vendors

The following 5 vendors have been selected to participate in the Notebook framework:

Qualified Suppliers
DELL
HP
Lenovo
PC Peripherals
Toshiba

How to Buy Products and Services

To buy products or services through the framework, a Customer must seek a quote from each of the 5 vendors – this process is called a mini-competition. Public Bodies will need to carefully assess their own needs and set out their requirements in the mini-competition to select a suitable vendor.

Request For Quotes (RFQ) templates have been developed which set out each of the main headings of the products or services available under which you can specify your particular requirements. It will be important to provide sufficient information for the vendors to come back with meaningful quotes that will allow you to evaluate them accordingly to the nature and scope of products or services you require.

Payment/Invoicing

Payment and Invoicing arrangements will be agreed by the relevant Customer and the selected Vendor in each case.

Framework Rules:

1.       You must treat all of the suppliers fairly and equally.

You must specify your requirements in a non-discriminatory way and solicit a quote from all suppliers. 

2.       You must allow the suppliers sufficient time to respond to a Request for Quote (RFQ).

You must allow suppliers a reasonable amount of time to submit a response.

3.       You must be open and transparent with regard to how you will select the winning quote.

When issuing an RFQ you should clearly state the criteria you will apply to select the winner.

More Information

More information (Green Issues; BAPCO, Operating System etc) related to the Notebook Framework is available here.

Contracting Authority

The Contracting Authority which established this Framework was the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The Contracting Authority has ensured that the framework has been established in full compliance with EU Directive 2004/18/EC (as implemented by SI 329 of 2006) and relevant EU and National Laws.

Contract Management Team

A Contract Management has been appointed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. Information and advice is provided to the customers and vendors on the operation of the framework through this service as well as mechanisms for the resolution, and where necessary, the escalation of disputes. The Contract Management Team can be contacted at:

Contract Management	Details
Name:	Contract Management Team
Address:	CMOD, Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, Lansdowne House, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4
Phone:	(01) 604 5106
Email:	ictframeworks@gov.ie

Secure Page

To obtain detailed information, including pricing and Request For Quote (RFQ) templates please visit our secure page:

http://ictprocurement.gov.ie/secure

This secure page is only accessible by employees of public sector bodies that are connected to the Government Networks.  PDF versions are available on request from the Contract Manager.

Schools

Any schools wishing to purchase from the frameworks should visit the NCTE site http://ncte.ie/purchasingframeworks/