Bechtle awarded federal contract for Apple products

Delivery of iPhones, iPads, accessories and related services
Devices preloaded with the BSI-approved iOS and iPadOS platforms
Contract worth up to 770 million euros until the end of 2027

Neckarsulm, 25 July 2024 – The procurement office of Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community’s (BMI) has concluded a framework agreement with Bechtle for the supply of up to 300,000 Apple devices across the entire federal administration. This means all federal agencies can source iPhones and iPads exclusively from Bechtle that are authorised for official use with the platform approved by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) under the indigo (iOS Native Devices in Government Operation) project. The framework agreement also covers the delivery of accessories and services related to the use of the end devices. The contract is worth up to 770 million euros and has been concluded until the end of 2027.

As the principal provider, Bechtle AG will collaborate closely with its long-term partner, Apple, as well as IT service provider Materna for the implementation of an indigo-compliant solution. The aim of the agreement is to significantly advance the modernisation of the federal administration’s IT infrastructure, and the use of native iOS devices ensures a highly secure and efficient communications infrastructure specifically tailored to public-sector requirements. The Apple iOS and iPadOS platforms offer an extensive range of built-in security features, regular updates, hardware-based encryption and strict data protection policies and has been approved by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) for the secure sharing of confidential content classified as “for official use only” (VS-NfD).

Bechtle will also provide agencies with accessories such as cases and styluses and offer services ranging from consultation and implementation to operation and user support. With its many years of experience working with federal authorities, the Bechtle IT System House Bonn will manage and implement the project throughout Germany.

“By rolling out a unified device platform, we are laying the foundations for even more efficient mobile collaboration between all federal administration employees. At the same time, we are establishing an extremely high security standard that fulfils all our technical and organisational requirements,” says Dr Markus Richter, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and Federal Government Commissioner for Information Technology.

Michael Guschlbauer, COO, IT System House & Managed Services, Bechtle AG: “This framework agreement underscores our expertise and commitment to provide the federal administration with reliable and highly secure IT solutions. Our close partnership with Apple is crucial to our ability to offer excellent technologies and services, and we are delighted to be working with Materna to make a significant contribution to the digital transformation of the public sector.”

Bechtle is an Apple Authorised Enterprise Reseller (AAER), which allows the company to offer enterprise customers holistic and specialist solutions based on the full range of iOS and Mac technologies.