Government looks to expand creative agency supplier base
We are holding a number of supplier days to encourage agencies from across the country to bid for government communications work.
The government has announced new details on the revamp of its creative and strategy agreements. We are hosting a series of regional events to encourage a more diverse range of suppliers to bid for work.
The government’s Creative Solutions and Strategy and Planning frameworks expire in October 2016. We are replacing them with new arrangements that provide maximum value for the taxpayer and aim to draw on the widest possible pool of talent from across the UK. To date, nearly 70% of the suppliers, or agencies, on the existing frameworks are based in London. We are encouraging agencies from outside the M25 for bid for government work.
A series of events aim to raise awareness among suppliers of the opportunities on offer. They will encourage agencies from Scotland, Wales and the English regions to bid to join the new arrangements in 2016 through events in Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh. These will give agencies an opportunity to:
- hear directly from the Government Communication Service (GCS) and the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on the opportunities available and how they can help provide cost effective communications campaigns
- provide feedback and help ensure future arrangements reflect the latest market trends and meet future public sector communications needs
Three events open to suppliers are:
- Edinburgh: midday to 2pm on 11 December, Scotland Office, 1 Melville Crescent, EH3 7HW – Register for the Edinburgh event
- Liverpool: midday to 2pm on 15 December, Chamber of Commerce, 1 Old Hall St, L3 9HG – Register for the Liverpool event
- Bristol: 11am to 1pm on 16 December, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square Temple Quay, BS1 6PN – Register for the Bristol event
The government has made it easier than ever before for agencies of all sizes to win work. We have has developed 10 principles to reduce bureaucracy, cut agency pitch costs and remove barriers for small businesses bidding for work. These principles include:
- keeping process and paperwork to a minimum
- using plain English throughout the procurement process
- not issuing multiple tenders for the same campaign project
- ensuring that suppliers are consulted fully throughout the process
Executive Director of Government Communications Alex Aiken said:
The government has saved £1 billion for taxpayers since 2010 through its reforms to government communications, but millions of pounds of work is still available to creative suppliers who demonstrate that they can help us deliver innovative, outcomes focused and low cost campaigns.
We‘ve introduced a more streamlined tender process for both suppliers and government communications professionals and I personally encourage agencies from all corners of the UK to attend these events and see how they can get involved.
Register for the events in Edinburgh, Liverpool, or Bristol.