Computers (Hansard, 27 July 1977)

§ Mr. Charles R. Morris

The arrangements under which computers are currently purchased for central Government use were reported to this House on 2nd March 1971—[Vol. 812, col. 4191—as follows:

(1) to acquire large computers—those more powerful than Atlas—and computers leading into them by single tender action from ICL, subject to satisfactory price performance and delivery date, save in exceptional circumstances where the penalties of transferring from another manufacturer would be too great;

(2) to acquire other computers by single tender action where there are reasons for seeking compatibility or flexibility, subject to the same proviso about price, performance and delivery;

(3) in all other cases, including those in which the appropriate manufacturers are unable to meet the conditions specified in (1) and (2), to seek competitive tenders, including so far as possible at least one offering a system manufactured in the United Kingdom and to award the contract strictly on the merits of the evaluation.

The Government have decided to continue for the time being substantially the same arrangements for purchasing computers for the central Government. Subject to the important provisos set out in 1971, computers in the power range corresponding to the ICL 1904S, 2960, 2970, 2976 and 2980 machines will in future be acquired by single tender action from ICL. As before, these arrangements to not commit the Government to purchasing a large computer within this power range where it would be more efficient to meet a particular requirement by a system made up of smaller machines.

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In reaching this decision, the Government have taken note of a recent directive on public supplies issued by the European Economic Commission which provides for the exemption of procurement of ADP equipment from the scope of the directive until the end of 1980. The Government are ready to co-operate in any co-ordinated European approach to public procurement from the European computer industry.