Northern Territory capital, Darwin
The Northern Territory Department of Education has handed Darwin-based IT provider VTG Technology, also known as Vertical Technology Group, a $23.5 million deal for the supply of Dell desktop and laptop hardware.
The IT provider is a regular Territorian government supplier and is a previous incumbent supplier for desktop hardware for the Department. Indeed, it is understood that VTG Technology is the Northern Territory’s only Dell Platinum Partner.
The new deal sees VTG Technology equip both students and teachers in urban, regional and remote areas with new technology, including a full suite of desktop and laptop products aimed at drive innovative learning with Dell hardware across the Territory.
The $23.5 million agreement is comprised of two separate contracts, including a $7.5 million deal for desktop PCs and $16 million for laptop devices.
According to VTG Technology’s operations manager Martin Thomason, the IT provider anticipates a “smooth transition”, with the company supplying schools with Dell hardware from April 2018.
VTG general manager Scott Wright said that the company is working in partnership with the NT Department of Education to “break the digital divide and inspire Aboriginal students to engage with new technology”.
“VTG’s unique logistical capabilities are enabling the Department of Education representatives travelling to remote locations to showcase new technologies to students,” Wright said.
The Dell deal with VTG Technology comes nearly a year after the NT Government handed fellow local IT services provider Area9 two hardware contracts worth a combined total of more than $7 million for the provision of PCs.
The Darwin-headquartered HP partner revealed on 11 July 2017 that it had won the contracts following a competitive tendering process for the highly contested desktop PC and laptop supply contracts.
According to Area9, the nation’s Department of Corporate and Information Services (DCIS), which holds responsibility for the contract management on behalf of the NT Government and its agencies, listed the laptop and desktop estimated contract values at $4,007,763 and $3,011,426 respectively.
