A CONTRACT worth up to £35million has been won by Centerprise International, the Basingstoke-based computer manufacturer founded by entrepreneur Rafi Razzak.

The Central Buying Consortium (CBC), the largest of the public sector consortia in the UK, has awarded Centerprise one of only five Value Added Reseller contracts.

Centerprise can now compete to sell PC hardware and notebooks to CBC members and its affiliated local authorities members across the South East.

Its win demonstrates Centerprise's key position as a leading UK supplier of IT solutions to central and local government.

Richard White, public sector business unit manager for the company, said: "Centerprise has been affiliated with the Central Buying Consortium for more than four years.

"This demonstrates the excellent service, support and priority given to Centerprise by the consortium over the years."

For many years, Centerprise has demonstrated its knowledge of distributing within the public sector, whether to schools or corporate departments within local government or the Ministry of Defence.

The CBC represents the vast majority of authorities in the UK and has grown dramatically since being set up in 1991.

John Mundy, lead buyer for the CBC IT Hardware Framework Agreement and IT buyer for Hampshire County Council, said: "Our award criteria seeks to ensure we enjoy the best value for money for our members.

"Factors such as financial status, technical capability, quality and reliability, pre and post-sales support and previous government procurement experience, including references, are allied to highly-competitive pricing.

"Each category has a scoring system, which all supplies are objectively scored against, and Centerprise has ranked in the top three for most categories."

He added: "Centreprise has a strong reputation throughout many market sectors for offering a complete, managed service."

Centerprise has a reputation and position within central and local government for going the extra mile and Mr White said: "Where other suppliers can be termed box-shifters, Centerprise prides itself on being able to provide bespoke services and products - there is no job too big or too small.

"Through CBC, we are looking forward to introducing a whole new audience to the unique Centerprise experience."