Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: January 2015

Published 29 January 2015

This guidance was withdrawn on

This article has been withdrawn because it’s over 5 years old.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crown-commercial-service-customer-update-january-2015/crown-commercial-service-customer-update-january-2015

1. Overview

The monthly customer update from the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is designed to provide government and public sector buyers with the latest information about the range of CCS agreements available, new commercial agreements being developed, training opportunities, events and recent developments in procurement policy and commercial reform.

2. Email updates

Now that we are on the GOV.UK website you can sign up for immediate, daily or weekly email alerts which will tell you what CCS has added or updated on the website. It is a great way to stay up to date with the latest news and information from CCS.

To sign up for email alerts simply click here to provide your email address and select the frequency you wish to receive updates.

If you use these tools frequently why not save them to your favourites for easy access?

Not yet registered? Find out how to register:

4. Procurement Policy Notes

Read all the latest Procurement Policy Notes for guidance on public sector procurement best practice.

5. CIPS eLearning

We are pleased to announce the re-launch of CIPS eLearning on the CCS Learning Hub. This course is available to both central government departments and wider public sector organisations for a discounted rate of £200 per level. Email training@ccs.gsi.gov.uk for more information.

6. Events

6.1 Local Government Procurement Network Annual Members’ Showcase

We are partnering this event which takes place on 5 February at the QEII Conference Centre, London. We will be speaking on partnership with local government and procurement reform, and exhibiting at stand number 1.

Register and find out more

6.2 Procurex North Live

We are partnering this free to attend event on 26 February at Manchester Central. Sally Collier, Chief Executive of CCS and Deputy Chief Commercial Officer, will be talking about how CCS is supporting the delivery of first class services and economic growth, and we will be exhibiting in the CCS Pavilion.

Register and find out more

6.3 Procurex South Live

We are partnering this free to attend event on 10 March at London Olympia. Bill Crothers, Government Chief Commercial Officer will be speaking on putting commercial thinking into the DNA of the public sector and we will be exhibiting in the CCS Pavilion.

Register and find out more

6.4 Procurex Wales

We will be exhibiting at this free to attend event on 18 March at City Hall, Cardiff.

Register and find out more

6.5 The Schools Management Summit

We are supporting this free to attend event on 24 March in London and will be both exhibiting and speaking on how to effectively and efficiently buy products and services for schools.

Register and find out more

7. Procurement updates

7.1 Project Management and Full Design Team Services

Following the decision by UK Shared Business Services Ltd not to proceed with the procurement for Project Management and Full Design Team Services (RM1039), we are now beginning the re-procurement which is expected to run over a 12 month period with a new agreement available in early 2016. Find out more here

8. Technology aggregation opportunities

8.1 Mobile voice and data services

Following the success of the last aggregated further competition which achieved savings in excess of £5.4 million for customers - an average 66% saving compared to the baseline - we are now developing the next further competition for mobile voice and data services.

8.2 Bulk text messaging

An eAuction held in January 2015 achieved a saving of 21% (based on indicative volumes), representing savings of £1.25 million over two years for health trusts. If you are interested in taking part in the next eAuction please get in touch by 5 February.

8.3 General hardware

If you have general hardware requirements and would like to take part in an aggregated further competition for delivery before the end of March please get in touch as soon as possible. We are also currently looking at other hardware aggregation opportunities so let us know if you would like to discuss your requirements.

If you would like find out more about taking part in any of these aggregated technology opportunities please email TechnologyAggregation@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

9. Technology catalogue

A new technology catalogue has been launched on the Government eMarketplace providing a quick and efficient route to buy low value technology related products and services.

The technology catalogue is now live with access to suppliers from:

  • Local Authority Software Applications (RM1059) providing access to applications and associated services designed to help UK local authorities deliver services such as revenue and benefits collection and payments; social care; planning; environmental and building control; and social housing

  • Technology Products (RM1054) providing access to a wide range of technology products including hardware, packaged software and associated services

Content will be regularly updated with new suppliers, products and services being added and refreshed as the catalogue develops.

If you are already registered to use the Government eMarketplace you can access the catalogue by logging on here. You can also continue to access all other catalogue content via your standard route.

If you are not yet registered, you can find out more about the eMarketplace and register here

10. OJEU contract notices

Recently published OJEU contract notices for new CCS agreements being developed include:

Links to contract notices and further information about all procurements currently underway can be found on the procurement pipeline

11. Agreement summary list

As well as being able to view full details of all live agreements in the find an agreement directory you can now download a summary list of all the available CCS agreements. This list will be updated monthly so you will always have access to the latest information.

View the summary list of all the available CCS agreements

12. New agreements

The following agreements have recently awarded and are now available for public sector organisations to buy through:

13. Expired agreements

13.1 Media Buying (RM1704)

This agreement expired on 31 December 2014. It has been replaced by Media Buying (RM1051).

13.2 Office Supplies (RM781)

This agreement expired on 7 January 2015. It is being replaced by Office Supplies for the Wider Public Sector (RM3703) which is due to award shortly and go live in February 2015.

Please ensure you make interim arrangements within your existing supplier to provide cover until the new agreement is in place. If you currently have a call-off arrangement in place under RM781 your contract will continue as normal until it reaches your agreed contract end date.

If you require any further assistance or have upcoming requirements that require our support please email officesupplies@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

13.3 Refrigeration (RM673)

This agreement expired on 21 December 2014. We are currently reviewing options for a new arrangement. Customers with immediate requirements may wish to consider if the ESPO Commercial Catering Equipment agreement can meet their needs.

13.4 Vehicle Purchase (RM859)

This agreement expired on 31 December 2014. It has been replaced by Vehicle Purchase (RM1070)

14. Agreements expiring shortly

14.1 Commodity IT Hardware and Software (RM721)

This agreement will expire on 31 January 2015. Technology Products (RM1054) should be used for all new requirements.

14.2 Digital Services (RM1043)

This agreement is due to expire on 31 March 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service during the development of Digital Services 2 (RM1043ii) which is due to award in May 2015.

14.3 Environmental and Sustainability Advice Support and Delivery Services (RM830)

This agreement is due to expire on 30 April 2015 and we are currently considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

14.4 G-Cloud 4 (RM1557iv)

This agreement is due to expire on 31 January 2015. G-Cloud 5 (RM1557v) is live and G-Cloud 6 is due to award in February 2015.

14.5 IT Hardware and Solutions (RM1692)

This agreement will expire on 31 January 2015. Technology Products (RM1054) should be used for all new requirements.

14.6 Laundry and Linen Services (RM849)

This agreement is due to expire on 24 May 2015. Customers with current arrangements in place which are due to expire between May and July 2015 are encouraged to extend their contracts to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement, which is expected to award in July 2015. The new solution will include two separate agreements:

  • laundry and linen services including re-useable barrier drapes and gowns and clean room garments

  • laundry technical consultants to provide advice on the application of CFPP 01-04 and evaluation of suppliers for customers during the further competition under the new laundry and linen services agreement

If you have any questions or require advice please email laundry.services@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

14.7 Press Cuttings (RM1726)

This agreement is due to expire on 30 March 2015. It is being replaced by Media Monitoring and Evaluation and Related Services (RM3708) which is due to award in April 2015. Customers with call-off contracts in place may wish to consider a contract extension to ensure continuity of service if their contract is due to expire before April 2015.

14.8 Telephony Services (RM1035)

This agreement is due to expire on 22 April 2015. It is being replaced by Network Services (RM1045)

15. Agreement extensions

15.1 Central Government Travel Management Services (RM918)

Lot 1, Global Travel, has been extended until 13 February 2016 and lot 2, Domestic Travel, has been extended until 20 December 2015 to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement.

15.2 ConsultancyONE (RM1502)

All lots of this agreement have been extended until 16 May 2016 to ensure continuity of service.

This agreement has been extended until 30 April 2016.

15.4 Face to Face Interpreting Services (RM738)

This agreement has been extended until 16 July 2015 to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Language Services

15.5 Financial Analysis Services (RM1559)

This agreement has been extended until 1 April 2016.

15.6 Government Office Supplies Contract (RM917)

This agreement has been extended until 31 July 2015 to ensure continuity of service during the development of the replacement agreement, Crown Office Solutions

15.7 Insurance Services (RM958)

This agreement has been extended until 25 February 2016. We are keen to involve as many customers as possible in the new procurement for Insurance Services (RM3731). If you would like to get involved please email insurance@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

15.8 IT Managed Services (RM717)

This agreement has been extended until 5 August 2015 to provide continuity of service during the development of Technology Services (RM1058)

This agreement has been extended until 31 January 2016.

15.10 Non Medical/Non Clinical (CM/AAC/09/5124)

This agreement has been extended until 30 June 2015 to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Non Medical Non Clinical Resource (RM971)

15.11 PSN Connectivity (RM860)

We are working to put in place an extension to this agreement until 24 April 2016 to ensure continuity of service during the development and launch of Network Services (RM1045)

15.12 PSN Services (RM1498)

We are working to put in place an extension to this agreement until 26 June 2016 to ensure continuity of service during the development and launch of Network Services (RM1045)

15.13 Vehicle Hire (RM807)

This agreement has been extended until 31 August 2015 to provide continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement. Customers with a current contract in place may wish to consider an extension until autumn 2015.

15.14 Wider Public Sector Print (RM1687)

This agreement has been extended until 30 April 2016.

If you need further information about anything in this update please contact our helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 or email info@ccs.gsi.gov.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn

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