LUPC is delighted to announce that UKUPC members (APUC, HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC and SUPC) now have access to the latest National Desktop and Notebook Agreement (NDNA) under agreement reference ITS5071 LU. The agreement runs from the 1 November 2022 until the 31 October 2025 with an optional 12-month extension to 31 October 2026. A full user guide is available on HE Contracts.

Scope of the framework:
The National Desktop and Notebook Agreement (NDNA) covers the purchase of the following equipment types under all standard operating systems (Windows, Linux and Chrome for example) with the exclusion of Apple OS, which is covered under a separate HE framework:

Lot 1: Desktops
Desktop and Workstation PCs including standalone case-based systems from Micro and NUC (Next Unit of Computing) devices through to Full Tower, All-In-One (“AIO”) PC devices where either the entire system including processing unit and device is housed within a single piece construction or alternatively, the processing unit is within a separate case and VESA mounted (or equivalent) on the reverse of the display and desktop Thin-Client end user units.

Lot 2: Notebooks
Notebook and Mobile Workstation PCs including traditional ‘clamshell’ notebook/laptop PCs, ‘hybrid/‘2-in-1’/convertible devices providing notebook and tablet multi-functionality, Tablet PC devices and mobile Thin-Client end user units.

 Lot 3: One-Stop Shop
Goods and Services as defined within Lots 1 and 2, procured by a customer from a single route to market.

All Lots: Wired and wireless accessories and products associated with being part of the PC system including and not limited to mice, keyboards, headsets, displays, notebook batteries and AC adaptors, docking stations including charging trolleys, security devices and carry cases.

All services associated with the deployment of framework devices including and not limited to timed deliveries, bulk-packaged deliveries, the collection and environmental management of legacy devices, onsite installation, imaging, BIOS configuration and asset tagging through to full Device/PC-as-a-Service client management.

How do I call off from the framework agreement?
Call-off from this framework agreement is by means of ranking (direct award), a desktop exercise or running a competitive further-competition. Full details are set out in the user guide on HE Contracts.

Awarded Suppliers
The awarded manufacturer (OEM) and their reseller partner routes to market can be summarised as follows:

Lot 1

N.B. The awards to Lot 3 are identical to those above with Stone in partnership to sell both HP and/or Dynabook PCs. The final Lot 3 ranking from 1-4 is Stone (w/HP), HP, Dell, and Lenovo.

Lot 2

How does this Agreement support sustainability?
This Agreement was assessed as a high-risk contract. Questions relating to the topics below were addressed and evaluated as part of the tender process:

• Products are manufactured in global locations where there is historic evidence of unethical employment practices
• Energy consumption and overall carbon footprint during production and lifetime use of the supplier’s products
• The consumption of virgin metals and similar in production
• Minimization of packaging and percentage of recycled content
• Removal or minimization of materials hazardous to health and the environment in general
• Using appropriate systems to establish supply chain transparency ‘from mine to socket’
• End of life disposal

What are the framework benefits?
By using the agreement, members will benefit from:

• Average savings of 14% compared with best available market pricing
• Minimum 3 year collect and return warranty included in price on all TPM devices* with enhanced on-site warranty services with some suppliers
• Additional benefits and savings available for volume-related purchases
• A range of value-added services available including for example, imaging, holding customer ‘gold stock’ for call-off, enhanced self-maintainer training
• Terms and Conditions that include the means of institution reparation through agreed liquidated damages if service levels are breached in any one of four core areas; time to quote, Delivery times, Dead on Arrival (DOA) response and Field Service Warranty response
• Suppliers capable of integrating with institutional e-procurement solutions
• Supplier pricing regularly benchmarked and reviewed
• Agreement Prime Contractors are Original Equipment Manufacturers permitting direct escalation and negotiation over all key matters arising
• Provides compliance under the EU Procurement Directives 2015
• Multiple methods of call-off including direct via ranking, desktop exercise and full mini-competition including permitted variation of weightings
• Improved performance incentivised by the inclusion of dynamically adjusted awarded scores and positions of the supplier every six months from the commencement of the Agreement to accurately reflect their agreement pricing or for example, to reflect any failure in the implementation of the tendered service
• Full software support is provided and facilitates access for Member Institutions and their buyers to obtain patches, bug fixes, new software releases and documentation (including BIOS firmware releases) as required
• Full performance management through several managed KPI’s to be monitored over the life of the agreement
• Notebook batteries have traditionally been excluded from the main system warranty and covered by separate charges. Purchases are all inclusive of 3-year battery warranty on a fair usage basis (minimum 500 charge cycles).

For further questions, please contact Mike Kilner, LUPC Senior Category Manager and NDNA lead.