Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: March 2017

Updated 14 March 2017

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1. Technology Products 2 flash sale

Do you work for a public sector organisation and need to buy IT products? If so, we’ve got some great news for you this month, as we are launching a flash sale.

We have been working with a number of suppliers on our Technology Products 2 framework (RM3733) to offer you huge savings on a range of products including desktops and laptops.

The sale begins on 1 March and runs throughout the month, or until stock is sold out. Stock availability is limited and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

To view the deals, simply log in to the Purchasing Platform (TP2).

New users to the Purchasing Platform (TP2) can register today.

2. Events

2.1 CCS Showcase at Procurex

We’ll be hosting a CCS Showcase, which will include a range of educational workshops in the training zone and a CCS advice bar, at Procurex North at Manchester Central on 21 March and Procurex South at Olympia on 20 April.

Training zone

If you’re new to procurement and/or the public sector, or simply want to refresh your knowledge and share ideas, we’ve got a great range of educational sessions for you to choose from. Presented by our experienced commercial specialists, they have been designed to help you work your way through the many complexities of public sector procurement and achieve great value for your organisation. Choose from:

  • Procurement 101
  • How to write and manage a category strategy
  • How to choose a sourcing route
  • Engaging your stakeholders….before, during and after your procurement
  • How to use social value criteria in your procurement activity

Book your sessions at Procurex North

Book your sessions at Procurex South

CCS advice bar

Join us in the CCS advice bar to find out more about the range of great value commercial deals we have available to help you achieve significant savings.

You can find out more about how we are working in partnership with other public sector buying organisations to help ensure we get the best value for all, and hear about the innovative solutions we are developing to make it easier for you to buy from us.

If you have got a specific procurement challenge we can help you with why not book an appointment with one of our commercial specialists and get one to one advice and guidance? You will be able to make an appointment once you have registered to attend an event.

We’d also love to hear your thoughts, ideas and comments to ensure we are providing the best possible solutions to your needs so come to our feedback wall and tell us how we can help you.

Procurex Ireland

We will also be exhibiting at Procurex Ireland at RDS Exhibition Centre in Dublin on 25 April. If you’re planning to visit you’ll find our devolved customer team at stand 57. We’d love to have the chance to talk with you over the course of the day to explore how we can best support you, so we hope to see you there.

Register to attend any of the Procurex Live events for free.

2.2 NCVO annual conference

We will be showing how CCS can help charities at the NCVO annual conference, which is taking place on 20 April at The Brewery, London, EC1.

Visitors to our stand (number 11) will have the opportunity to hear about our future eAuction programme, see our new electronic catalogue and speak to us about the services we offer the charity sector.

Book your place today

Charities and third sector organisations, such as housing associations, can all use our commercial solutions free of charge so why not find out more about how we can help you?

2.3 Civil Service Live 2017

We will be attending Civil Service Live 2017 events throughout June and July, supporting a series of workshops on commercial as a profession. The events will enable civil servants and organisations to share best practice and innovation across government:

  • Thursday 8 June, EICC, Edinburgh
  • Thursday 15 June, Manchester Central, Manchester
  • Tuesday 20 June, The Sage, Gateshead
  • Thursday 29 June, City Hall, Cardiff
  • Thursday 6 July, NEC, Birmingham
  • Tuesday and Wednesday 11 and 12 July, QEII Centre, London

For more information about the events and different sponsorship, speaking or exhibition opportunities please email customer.service@dodsgroup.com or call 020 7593 5500.

2.4 Public Sector Show 2017

We’re once again supporting the Public Sector Show, which is taking place at ExCeL in London on 27 June. Our CEO Malcolm Harrison will be speaking about how we are supporting customers to achieve savings by combining the purchasing power of public sector organisations.

We’ll also be presenting a range of educational sessions over the course of the day, and exhibiting. Watch this space for further details….

Register for free

3. Fleet news

3.1 Getting started with vehicle telematics

Vehicle telematics is a way of monitoring the location, movement, status and behaviour of a vehicle or fleet of vehicles. Vehicle monitoring is typically achieved by fitting vehicles with GPS (Global Positioning System). Other features can also be added that record and track driver behaviour and vehicle activity, such as fuel consumption. Telematics can help you reduce risk and environmental impact, and improve your cost control and productivity. It also supports the whole life cost management of vehicles by providing live, operational data.

A 2016 iGov survey found that 57% of public sector fleets have already introduced or plan to introduce telematics. Whether you are already using telematics or want to introduce this for the first time, our Vehicle Telematics (RM3754) agreement can help to ensure you are getting best value - why not check it out and get started today.

We know that for many organisations you will need to write a business case to demonstrate the benefits versus cost to secure the necessary investment from your organisation. If you don’t yet have a business case read our guide to developing a business case and the benefits of investment for useful guidance to help you get started.

3.2 A new way to buy vehicle conversion services

With our current Vehicle Conversion and Reconditioning Services (RM956) framework due to expire on 3 September, we have begun market engagement with suppliers and other stakeholders to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the new Vehicle Conversion framework.

This will provide customers with an innovative way to access the market for vehicle conversion services, with benefits such as:

  • complete flexibility to design your contracts and further competitions
  • opportunity to break down the supply chain and directly access more suppliers
  • access on a regional basis to support localism To read more about the plans for the new Vehicle Conversion framework, visit the procurement pipeline page

3.3 Vehicle salary sacrifice changes

You may have heard recent legislative changes that alter the way salary sacrificed vehicles are taxed will come into effect on 1 April. Due to the excellent terms we have secured with vehicle manufacturers and the competitiveness of our vehicle leasing companies, we are confident that our fleet frameworks still support great value for salary sacrifice schemes.

Salary sacrifice vehicles are often used as a way to replace employee owned vehicles (also known as grey fleet) being used for business miles. They are typically newer and more efficient vehicles, resulting in a better value solution for public sector organisations. Employers also have a responsibility under duty of care for their employees and maintained, newer vehicles can support this.

The Vehicle Purchase (RM1070) framework already offers attractive standard discounts of an average of 32%, and our Vehicle Lease and Fleet Management (RM3710) framework gives you quick access to live quotations from 12 funders in the market, enabling clear price comparisons.

By using our online fleet portal you will see the extensive range of vehicles available and have access to live quotes. You can then work with your appointed salary sacrifice scheme provider to offer this out across your organisation.

Interested in ultra low emission vehicles? These are unaffected by the changes to salary sacrifice scheme taxation, and support the operating of vehicles with lower emissions, and less damaging environmental impacts. Find out more about the cities going ultra low, and what you could do in your organisation.

3.4 Vehicle Excise Duty changes

As well as changes to salary sacrifice schemes, extensive changes to the UK’s road tax structure will come into effect on 1 April. Any new car registered after this date will be subject to the new rules. This will affect all new vehicles purchased or leased via the frameworks.

This will also impact the suppliers on lots 1, 2 and 5 of the Vehicle Hire Services (RM1062) framework, as they replace vehicles every 7-12 months to ensure that their fleet remains fuel-efficient and to the required high standard. They will therefore be particularly impacted by the first year duty changes. We are working closely with suppliers to understand the impact and minimise any framework price increases that may be proposed. We will update you on the outcome of these discussions in due course.

View full details of the tax changes

If you have any questions about our fleet frameworks or the upcoming taxation changes please email fleet@crowncommercial.gov.uk.

4. One month until public sector organisations can choose a water supplier

From 3 April over 1.2 million eligible non-household customers in England will be able to choose their water supplier.

This includes public sector organisations, such as schools, local authorities and NHS trusts. We are collaborating with YPO, Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO), North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), West Mercia Energy, The Energy Consortium and the Ministry of Defence to bring to market the largest public sector water framework agreement in the UK.

Read our guidance to see how you can prepare to choose your supplier of water, wastewater and ancillary services.

5. Latest case studies

5.1 CCS helps 3 NHS trusts work together and save £9 million on locum doctors

By combining the requirements of multiple organisations we can help our customers make significant savings, as evidenced in our new case study which saw 3 NHS trusts join forces to source locum doctors.

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust were spending in the region of £30-40 million a year on locum doctors. They chose to use our Multidisciplinary Temporary Healthcare Personnel agreement (RM3711) to find an agency who could meet their requirements.

Each trust will now save approximately £3 million a year, giving the trusts a combined saving of £9 million annually. Read the full case study.

5.2 CCS helps Southampton City Council save over £17,000 on tyres

The fleet services team at Southampton City Council was looking to make savings on tyres and reduce the frequency of replacement tyres being required.

Using our Supply and Fit of Tyres (RM3767) framework the council decided to fit Michelin tyres on all its vehicles. This resulted in a saving of more than 10% on its annual tyre bill.

To find out more, read the full case study.

5.3 Government is Open for Business: British small business on cloud 9

Supplying to government enabled full cloud service company, Memset, to expand their expert workforce and grow their business.

Kate Craig-Wood, managing director of Memset, said: “Small businesses have a lot to offer government contracts. We are incredibly agile and our pricing is extremely competitive. We bring new ideas and thinking to the table and provide the highest security accreditations.”

See how becoming a government supplier is a great way to make a difference to small and medium-sized enterprises, read the full case study.

Find out more about how we are making it easier for small businesses to supply to government and the public sector on our Open for Business website.

View our complete case study collection

6. New brochures

Our new Multifunctional Devices, Managed Print and Content Services, and Records and Information Management framework covers a wide range of services to help you digitise print, copying, scanning and storage. View the brochure.

6.2 Travel

We have recently published 2 new brochures providing an overview of our travel solutions for central government and public sector customers. View the brochure.

6.3 Network Services

Our Network Services framework is the solution to your networking and telecommunications needs. From traditional telephony services, to video conferencing services, we offer 10 services, from a wide range of suppliers to provide you with the best deals. View the brochure.

6.4 Cyber Security Services

Our Cyber Security Services framework is the perfect solution for the protection of your systems. The framework offers you 4 service options: certified cyber consultancy, penetration testing, cyber incident response, tailored evaluations. View the brochure.

View our whole suite of brochures

7. Guide to buying technology resource

Confused about which framework to use to access technology resource? We’ve launched a simple guide to help you understand the different options that are available. Take a look at the guide.

8. Technology Products 2 webinar

Following the recent award of the Technology Products 2 framework, we are holding a webinar on 9 March at 2.30pm. This will explain the benefits of the framework and how to flexibly buy from it, while achieving best value. Joining instructions and access to the webinar will be sent to the registered email prior to the event. Register for the webinar

9. Management Consultancy: evaluators needed

We are developing a new management consultancy framework to replace ConsultancyONE. The range of services available is being broadened and we want to ensure you have access to specialist and SME businesses. Key features will include:

  • revised day rates and a choice of flexible pricing models (fixed, time and materials or risk and reward), as part of the further competition process, to help you achieve better value for money
  • new lots for education, healthcare/community and infrastructure
  • no upper or lower spend limits
  • all suppliers will be accredited to cyber essentials
  • simple access as you will be to direct award, as well as run a further competition

The framework will be awarded in 2 phases:

  • phase one is expected to be available from July and will include business consultancy, finance and audit
  • phase two is planned for September and will include HR, healthcare/community, education, infrastructure and ICT and digital services
Get involved

We’re looking for people to help evaluate the supplier bids to ensure we have the most capable suppliers, which offer best value for money and meet your needs. It’s a great learning and development opportunity, and will look great on your CV as you will be able to say you have been part of developing the largest consultancy framework in the UK!

What’s involved?

You’ll be given 1 question to evaluate. How long it will take to evaluate the question will depend on how you choose to plan your time. You can spend as little as an hour a day or up to a full day at a time, which means it will take somewhere between 2 to 8 weeks. Training will be provided and will take about 40 minutes.

If you’re interested in getting involved and would like to find out more please call 0151 672 2164 or email advisory.services@crowncommercial.gov.uk

10. Procurement policy

Procurement policy note 01/17 provides updated guidance on transparency principles and replaces procurement policy note 13/15.

If you are looking for further public procurement policy guidance please take a look at our public procurement policy page.

Looking for a particular procurement policy note? View the collection of all procurement policy notes.

11. Mystery Shopper

Our Mystery Shopper scheme allows suppliers to report public sector tenders they did not understand or instances of what they believe to be poor procurement practice.

11.1 Mystery Shopper needs your feedback

Whether you’re a buyer or supplier we would like to hear from you - we need your feedback to help improve our Mystery Shopper service.

11.2 Latest results

You can view the latest Mystery Shopper results to see how the scheme is helping to improve procurement practices across the public sector and support our ambition to make doing business with government as easy as possible for small businesses.

12. New agreements

12.1 Courier Services

Developed in collaboration with YPO, our new Courier Services framework has recently awarded and will go live shortly. It will provide you with access to a range of common courier services at competitive prices, including the collection and delivery of documents, secure collection, storage and delivery of examination papers and security screening of internal mail.

12.2 Digital Outcomes and Specialists 2

Digital Outcomes and Specialists 2 launched on 24 February. The new framework has attracted 2,018 suppliers in total, 94% of them are small and medium-sized enterprises, who can provide you with a range of services, including accessibility audits and user research studios. To find out more, visit the framework page.

12.3 Cyber Security Services 2

Cyber Security Services 2 (RM3764ii) is now live. The framework offers National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) accredited services including penetration testing, cyber security consulting and incident response, as it is in collaboration with NCSC. To find out more visit the framework page.

13. New contract notices

We have recently published OJEU notices for the following new procurements:

You can view details of all ongoing or planned procurements on our procurement pipeline.

14. Agreements expiring shortly

15. Agreement extensions

16. Recently expired agreements

  • Cyber Security Services (RM3764) expired on 9 February and has now been replaced with Cyber Security Services 2.
  • Lots 1-4 of Creative Solutions Execution and Related Services (RM988) and Strategy and Planning (RM1011) have now expired. Customers should use the new Campaign Solutions (RM3774) and Communication Services (RM3796) frameworks.
  • Employee Eye Care Services (NEC/3/0065) expired on 31 January. Occupational Health, Employee Assistance Programmes and Eye Care is being developed and these services will form part of the framework, which is expected to be in place in late May / early June.
  • Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 of Legal Services (RM919) expired on 31 January. These lots are being replaced by 4 new panel agreements, the first of which, General Legal Advice Services, is due to award shortly.

17. Sign up for email alerts

You can sign up for immediate, daily or weekly email alerts which will tell you what we have added or updated on the GOV.UK website. It is a great way to stay up to date with the latest news and information from CCS. Sign up for email alerts by providing your email address and selecting the frequency you wish to receive updates.

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If you need further information about anything in this update please do not hesitate to contact us by email info@crowncommercial.gov.uk or call our helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 You can also follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn

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