IBM Corp has won Russia’s largest ever World Bank-financed tender for the delivery of computer systems. The Russian Ministry of Social Protection of the Population has awarded a contract for the sale and support of 6,600 IBM compatible personal computers, network software and MS-DOS operating systems, peripherals and consumables. The order will require installation and support in 800 Ministry offices spread over 27 Russian oblasts and republics. Six other firms (or groups of firms) were short-listed to take part in the contest AT&T Co, Compagnie des Machines Bull SA, Compaq Computer Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co, ICL Plc and Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG. IBM was widely believed to be a front runner in the contest. The World Bank tenders favour companies with a degree of local content in their personal computers.
