§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish a table setting out for the period since 9 April(a) each tender issued by his Department for projects requiring the supply of (i) computer hardware and (ii) computer software, (b) a description of the services required, (c) the number of companies who were invited to tender, (d) the number of companies who submitted a hid without prior invitation by his Department, (e) which company was awarded the contract, (f) the value of each contract and (g) the length of period over which the contract will run.
§ Mr. Key[holding answer 27 October 1992]: The information requested is as follows:
(a) My Department has not yet issued any significant tenders for the supply of computer hardware and software. However, it has advertised a single major requirement in the Official Journal of the European Communities and is currently evaluating proposals. It has also purchased a number of personal computers to meet urgent interim needs.
(b) The services required are: (i) the supply, configuration, installation, imple-mentation and maintenance of hardware and software to support the office-based functions of the Department;
778W(ii) the provision of services including system operation and administration, user support and training, system design and development and migration of existing systems.
The Department plans to implement an integrated information system network, which will provide staff with desk-top access to a variety of services, will support specific business applications and will allow communications with external facilities.
- (c) All companies that expressed an interest by the advertised due date were invited to submit proposals in response to an "operational requirement".
- (d) Not applicable.
- (e) and (f) The contract has not yet been awarded.
- (g) 18 months with an option to extend and amend.