OGC scheme brings discounted PCs to the public sector

The Great Deals initiative promises price cuts of up to 45 percent

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has set up an initiative to help public-sector IT buyers to purchase discounted PCs from approved vendors.

The OGC and its trading arm, OGC Buying Solutions, said the jointly-developed Great Deals scheme provides up to 45 percent off prices for desktop and laptop PCs and screens, and will speed up procurement across public-sector departments.

Under the scheme, approved suppliers were asked to enter sealed bids with low prices.

Seventeen hardware makers are now participating and offerings include desktops from £280 and laptops from £430. The Great Deals programme will be refreshed every 90 days.

“Makers of client devices were asked to give a one-off price and 17 of 19 vendors approached submitted bids,” said an OGC Buying Solutions spokeswoman.