UK: 11th May 2010. SBL, the Enterprise level Value Added Reseller (VAR) & Information Assurance Specialist is the only company to be awarded both Buying Solutions and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) public sector framework agreements.
This news sees SBL enter their 22nd year of concurrent supply of hardware, software and Information Assurance into the Public Sector and places SBL in the unique position of having an impartial and panoramic view of the Public Sector ICT procurement landscape, enabling the promotion of the most appropriate and best value procurement vehicles to its customers.
Buying Solutions, the national procurement partner for UK public services, has named SBL as one of its approved suppliers on the Commoditised IT Hardware and Software framework agreement for the provision of off-the-shelf software, licenses and associated services.
DE&S ISS Information Assurance Contract has also been re-awarded to SBL. The contract, which began on the 1st May 2010, is for the supply of Information Assurance products and services, specifically including Cryptographic solutions of Impact Levels 3 and above.
Claire Gannon, Group Sales & Marketing Manager from SBL said: “SBL looks forward to a continuation of excellent service to our existing customers under the DE&S contract and to working with the Buying Solutions community, to enable greater cohesion and innovation between SBL, the Contracting authorities and our customers.”
In addition to supply, SBL plays a key role in supporting government through initiatives to harmonise procurement and provide a greater degree of assurance; to meet government targets and get better use of IT.
Gannon continues: “At SBL we believe that Information Assurance is crucial to every aspect of ICT. The application of sound Information Assurance is key to the creation and preservation of trust which is central to our collective ability to share information. Without this sharing of information the use of ICT to obtain greater efficiency will be limited.
“Through the DE&S framework we use our expertise to help enterprises realise the vast potential of their ICT infrastructures through appropriate and cost effective use of Information Assurance as the critical enabler.
“We actively seek to underpin the value of the framework agreements by delivering solutions to the public sector marketplace that offer compelling value for money, service and innovation.”
SBL also holds framework agreements with the following:
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ESPO - In February 2009 SBL were awarded places on all 4 Lots of the ESPO Software Framework (Microsoft, Antivirus & Security, COTS Software, and Educational Software)
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NATO – In 2009 SBL was awarded a BOA (Basic Ordering Agreement) NATO’s Consultation Command & Control Agency (NC3A) to supply ICT Products and Services to 28 member nations.
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CHEST - Chest Agreements are the result of a series of negotiations between Eduserv, the academic community and suppliers and resellers of software and data products. SBL are one the Microsoft EdLAR’s (Education Large Account Reseller) for this agreement.
As public sector framework specialists SBL works with key partners to ensure a price competitive service, to drive cost savings to the customer and to allow products and services offered to expand strategically. Working within a responsible community SBL develops innovative and bespoke solutions that are derived from customer's requirements, as opposed to market pressure.
SBL delivers framework exclusive pricing and solutions; vendor independence; free industry procurement consultancy and Information Assurance expertise.
