Press Releases

Government Agrees Improved Terms for Oracle Agreement

Ref: 24/03

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has announced improvements to the terms of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with database software specialist ORACLE to include greater discounts and applicability to a wider range of products.

The MoU between the Government and ORACLE was signed in February 2003 and offered the same terms to the UK government for all its technology products as those on offer to the much larger US government marketplace.

Hugh Barrett, Chief Executive of OGCbuying.solutions, the OGC commercial trading arm that manages the arrangement, said:

"Our agreement with Oracle is a good example of the use of the wider public sector's purchasing power to deliver benefit to the taxpayer."

In extending the deal, ORACLE has agreed to include:

• licence charging to the public sector on a 'per processor' basis in addition to a 'per user' basis
• training services
• a reduction in the minimum number of users required for an Enterprise License Agreement

In addition, the success of the original arrangements has triggered a new volume threshold earlier than expected which further increases the discount on technology Enterprise Licenses.

ORACLE Executive Vice President, Safra Catz, said of the new deal:

"As a result of the successful implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between OGC and Oracle Corporation for the supply of Oracle products for the UK Public Sector, we are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer even more flexibility for users."

The favourable pricing terms apply to Oracle's Secure Infrastructure Bundle, which include Oracle 9i Database and Oracle 9i Application Server.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Previously to qualify for the Oracle Enterprise Licence Agreement (ELA) pricing schedule a UK Public Sector organization would have to licence all of its employees on a Named User basis. With this amendment an organisation can elect to licence on a "per processor" basis. This is subject to minimum commitment of 500 processors. The specific levels of discount are subject to a confidentiality agreement between Oracle and OGC.

Click here to view the original OGC/ORACLE MoU press release

Established in April 2000, the OGC was set up to act as a catalyst in procurement issues and to work with civil departments to achieve best value for money in their commercial activities. Responsible for civil central government procurement policy and Best Practice including Construction, Property Management, IT, Supplier Relations including opening up government contracts to SMEs, e-commerce including the Government Procurement Card, the Gateway Review Process, OGCbuying.solutions, including the development of Government buying catalogues such as G-Cat, L-CAT and S-Cat and developing strategic procurement partnerships with the private sector.

OGCbuying.solutions is the commercial trading arm of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), which is itself an office of HM Treasury. OGC was launched on 1 April 2000 as a result of a review of civil procurement in Central Government. Its aim is to achieve substantial value for money improvements in the Government's procurement budget. OGCbuying.solutions was launched on 1 April 2001 and is responsible for identifying and producing value for money purchasing initiatives, offering measurable cost savings to the taxpayer. Among the services available from OGCbuying.solutions to public sector purchasers are utilities procurement provision, IT products and services, IT-related consultancy, energy, fuel and water services and specialist procurement packages tailored to specific needs.

General Enquiries to OGC Service Desk on 0845 000 4999 or ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

Press Enquiries to Julie Morgan at OGCbuying.solutions on 0151 672 2298 or julie.morgan@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk