MoD streamlines procurement channels

Move part of a wider scheme to better integrate defence procurement with the Office of Government Commerce

The DE&S has an annual budget of £13bn

The Ministry of Defence (Mod) has changed its procurement framework so that it can purchase IT hardware and software through the same channel.

The new Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) framework known as "IA Contract" will allow vendors to sell hardware and software to the MoD more easily through a single channel.

DE&S was created last year after the Defence Procurement Agency merged with the Defence Logistics Organisation and has an annual budget of £13bn.

The two arms brought legacy purchasing channels with them, causing the now-remedied split in hardware and software purchasing.

Vendors are already benefitting from the scheme. Trustmarque says it has been able to sell products to the MoD through the new single channel.