Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 1015: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the details of changes in the tendering process for the supply of computer services and hardware to schools; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the tendering process for the information and communication technology infrastructure grant scheme could exclude schools tendering to service and hardware providers with whom they have long-standing procurement relationships; if the number of tendering providers has been limited under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48439/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that in all cases of purchasing by schools using public monies, public procurement rules must be followed.

The purchase of ICT equipment and associated products and services by the public sector was identified under the National Public Procurement Policy Framework as one of those areas where economies could be achieved. EU Directive 2004/18/EC provides for the use of Framework Agreements by the public sector. The public sector utilises such frameworks to facilitate greater flexibility in the acquisition of goods and services, and support more responsive pricing mechanisms that deliver better value for money. In this regard, four distinct National Frameworks for the supply of specific categories of ICT equipment to public sector bodies have been set up by the Department of Finance. The categories in question are PCs, Notebooks (laptops), Mono Laser Printers and Colour Laser Printers. The number of Suppliers on each Framework varies; the number of suppliers for PCs and Notebooks is five and six respectively, and all suppliers were selected following an open competitive tendering exercise in compliance with EU and national procurement rules.

In the interests of achieving best value for money, schools are required to use the Frameworks for the purchase of ICT equipment under the relevant categories as mentioned above. Schools can run a mini competitive tendering process by a simple email "Request for Quotation" to a single central email address, setting out their requirements. In addition to the core products of PCs and Notebooks, schools can also request quotations for associated services such as installation. While delivering competitive prices, the Frameworks are also all covered by a three year on-site next business day warranty and support. Operation of the Frameworks is governed by Vendor Participation Agreements, through which schools are able to benefit from a range of favourable terms and conditions, agreed in the aggregate for eligible non-commercial public sector bodies.

In addition to the four Frameworks mentioned above, a Framework for Digital Projectors for schools is in the process of being established. It is expected that this Framework will shortly become available to schools.

For procurement where Framework Agreements do not exist, schools are required to carry out normal competitive tendering processes under general public procurement rules.