Software Value Added Reseller Services (SVARS)
Framework Description
Software Value Added Reseller Services (SP-21-034) is a Scottish Government single-supplier national framework for buying commercial off-the-shelf software and related services. Computacenter is the reseller, with quotes and orders handled through its Techsource portal. The framework runs from 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2027. Bespoke software, hardware and ICT services are outside its scope. This framework is used by Scottish Government and APUC.
Context & Use Case
IT and procurement teams across the Scottish public sector, from central government and the NHS to councils, universities and charities, use it to buy software licences and maintenance, with the reseller aggregating bulk purchases and running price competitions between software options to find savings. Because there is one supplier, buyers do not need to run a mini-competition.
Scope of Services
Commercial off-the-shelf software Annual maintenance, including upgrades to current versions Support, implementation and configuration services Software asset recording and licence management Aggregation of bulk software purchases Pre- and post-sales advice and consultancy
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
It suits large software resellers able to supply COTS products across the Scottish public sector, but applications are closed, with Computacenter as sole supplier. Other resellers should prepare for the re-tender, likely to be around 30 April 2027. Software publishers sell through the reseller rather than joining the framework.
Buyer Benefits
Structured discounts, aggregated purchasing and price competitions between software options cut licence costs. Central administration and software asset records make licence audits easier, maintenance includes upgrades to current versions at no extra cost, and a single-supplier route saves buyers running their own competitions.
Next Steps
Resellers should prepare for the re-tender ahead of 30 April 2027: gather evidence of licence management, software asset management, publisher relationships and savings delivered through aggregation, and watch Public Contracts Scotland. Software publishers should make sure Computacenter can supply their products to Scottish buyers until then.
How Athena Can Help
The SVARS re-tender is a single-supplier, all-or-nothing competition. Athena's competitor analysis for bids models your likely score against other national resellers, and our writers evidence savings and licence management in terms evaluators can score.
Our software framework planning covers related UK software and reseller frameworks you could join sooner, and bid/no-bid decisions help you weigh this bid against the other Scottish ICT re-tenders due in 2027, so resources go where you can win.
