The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
4.6 Deputy R.J. Rondel of St. Helier of the Minister for Treasury and Resources regarding the tender process for the States mobile telephone contract:
Would the Minister advise the Assembly when the tender process for the States of Jersey mobile telephone contract last took place, when the contract is due for renewal and how many mobile phones are involved?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf (The Minister for Treasury and Resources):
The States have separate contracts for mobile phones and BlackBerry devices. In 2008, an open tender for the supply of BlackBerry devices was undertaken. There are currently 237 BlackBerries within the States of Jersey. The contract for mobile phones has not been tendered recently. However, in 2007 involvement of States Procurement meant a reorganisation of tariffs. A further reorganisation was made in 2010 and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that annual costs have more than halved to now £60,000 a year; since 2007 a total of £200,000 being saved. Monthly costs for some 1,086 devices across the States fall into £4.60 per month per device. I can also advice that the States I.S. (Information Services) Department is considering further changes as the result of changing technology, including the advent of tablet technology and bringing your own devices. I can advise the Deputy that the services will be tendered and this will be placed within the Channel Island e-portal and a tender for all services is going to be planned for the end of February 2013.
Deputy R.J. Rondel:
Just to thank the Minister for his detailed reply.
- The Connétable of St. John :
Of the 230-odd BlackBerries held by the States departments and States Members, how many are held by States Members and are they paid for by the Members or by the Government?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
I think the BlackBerry number is included with Ministers that have them. Certainly there is now a change in numbers of Ministers, because some of them have their own iPads and some of them have returned their BlackBerries, and I am one of them. That saves money. The Connétable knows full well that Ministers have their BlackBerry costs paid for by the department in order to discharge their Ministerial responsibilities, and no doubt as many others with tablets and BlackBerries, improving significantly their productivity means that they are on service answering emails 24 hours a day.
- Senator S.C. Ferguson:
Will the tenders be offered purely to Island firms or will they be offered through the portal to all the U.K. firms as well?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
I regard that as an implementation issue by my Procurement Department. I am not aware of that, but I am sure that all the tenders will be put on the Channel Islands e-portal and any interested party may be able to bid for the contracts.
- Senator S.C. Ferguson:
The Minister has not answered the question. Will it therefore be open to all the U.K. and European companies?
Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
I am not an expert in who can tender for that. I assume that that is exactly the arrangement. If it is anything different, then I will advise the Senator by email.
- Deputy R.J. Rondel:
Just to clarify, did you say that it would be going out for tender during the next couple of weeks? Senator P.F.C. Ozouf :
I am advised that it is going to be tendered at the end of February 2013. That is correct.