Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: March 2019

Published 11 March 2019

This guidance was withdrawn on 4 September 2020

This article has been withdrawn because it’s over a year old.

1. 5 questions to ask yourself ahead of the new financial year

Is it time to spring-clean your procurement process? If so, we’ve pulled together some questions which may help ahead of the new financial year.

Here’s our five-point checklist to help you get ready for the financial year ahead.

2. Our new Data and Application Solutions framework is now live

Our Data and Application Solutions (DAS) agreement is open for business and ready to help public sector organisations buy, implement, test and deliver software, hardware and professional services, under one procurement.

It gives customers the choice to buy cloud and on-premise software or a combination of both. It also allows customers to buy software alongside hardware and professional services, in one procurement. 80 suppliers have been awarded places on the framework, 46% of which are SMEs.

Read more here about the benefits of using this innovative new framework.

3. Learn how you can make savings on business travel

Public and third sector organisations can all benefit from our new travel agreement Public Sector Travel and Venue Solutions.

PSTVS has been carefully designed to offer the best rates, the lowest booking fees in the industry and exclusive deals.

We’ll even go the extra mile - if you can find a better rate… our suppliers will match it!

Watch our short PSTVS film to find out more.

4. Find out more about our Permanent Recruitment framework

Hear all about our new Permanent Recruitment agreement for recruitment, executive search and talent mapping services at one of our events in April.

Designed to help you source candidates for permanent, fixed term and inward secondment roles, this framework will help you improve fill rates and reduce time to hire. It also supports diversity and inclusion ambitions within the public sector.

Read more here to learn how CCS can help you find the right people for your organisation.

5. Share your views on smart city related technology

Transport Technology Infrastructure will enable the UK public sector to equip cities with essential equipment such as street lighting and traffic management technology.

It will provide an easy route to market to buy all highway and transport infrastructure, including smart technology such as road sensors.

We value your opinion of smart technology, the structure of Traffic Management Technology 2 and what you would like to see from its replacement, Transport Technology Infrastructure.

You have until 29 March 2019 to take the survey and share your views.

6. Drive down costs with our new Vehicle Purchase agreement

Vehicle purchase is an integral part of the CCS fleet offering and our buying power has allowed us, on average, to achieve discounts of 11.3% on top of the average fleet discounts.

Our new Vehicle Purchase agreement now makes all brands on offer within the UK available, including electric and ultra low emission models, while allowing suppliers to bring new products they develop to market during the course of the agreement.

Read our latest case study to learn more about the results and find out how to get involved in our Traffic Management Technology 2 framework.

7. Join our guest speakers in the keynote arena at DPRTE 2019

Join us at this years Defence & Procurement, Research & Technology, Exportability (DPRTE) event which will take place on 28 March 2019 in Farnborough International Exhibition Centre.

Our very own Paul Tuohy, Senior Category Lead for Buildings along with Stefan Phillips, Category Manager for Construction, Materials and Ancillary will be guest speaking on the day in the keynote arena, and you can visit the CCS stand (number 34) where our team will be on hand to answer all of your questions.

Book your place today and find out more information about this years event

8. CEO, Simon Tse to be guest speaker at Procurex National 2019

Book your place at Procurex 2019 which will take place on 30 April 2019 at NEC Birmingham.

The event will bring together over 1,500 key decision makers and over 100 leading suppliers from across the country who will contribute to the ongoing delivery and strategic development of public sector procurement.

Visit us at the CCS showcase and join our CEO, Simon Tse as guest speaker on the day.

Register today and learn more information about this years event

9. Upcoming webinars

9.1 Technology webinars

We all know that the technology landscape is fast-paced and constantly evolving. Whether you are an experienced tech buyer or new to this area, our upcoming webinars are a great way to hear from our commercial specialists and ensure that you are getting the best solution for your organisation.

Register for one of our webinars today

9.2 Travel webinars

Interested in finding out more about how we can help you with your travel needs? Our travel agreement teams and suppliers are hosting a series of webinars to help explain what, and how, you can access travel and venue hire solutions through our agreement.

Register for one of our webinars today

9.3 Estates Professional Services and PMFDTS webinars

Our framework teams are hosting a series of webinars to help you use CCS to find solutions to your property and project management needs. Together the 30 minute webinars will introduce our Estates Professional Service, the framework structure, its features and benefits, and how it can provide an efficient, effective and compliant outcome.

Register for one of our webinars today

9.4 Management Consultancy Q&A webinar

Our management consultancy Q&A webinar will give you the opportunity to ask questions to our expert team. Whether you’re puzzled by consultancy opportunities or lost in the consultancy landscape. Learn how our framework can help your organisation meet your business objectives.

Register today

9.5 SARS Webinar

If your organisation isn’t getting everything it should be from its contracts, our Spend Analysis and Recovery Services framework (SARS) can connect you with a supplier to review them on your behalf. Suppliers identify errors, overcharging and overpayment so you can deliver efficient and effective public services.

Join Paul Bentley, our Commercial Agreements Manager for Financial Services, to learn more about the SARS framework on our webinar.

Register today

10. Latest aggregation opportunities

10.1 IT hardware

Great opportunities arise when we use our national buying power to bring together customers with similar requirements. ‘Aggregation’ on this scale can reduce costs and attract suppliers, so our customers get great value for money. We aggregate via a number of routes, so to find out more please visit our aggregation page.

10.2 Payroll services

If your organisation needs payroll services or your current contract expires in the next four years let us know. We are considering running a series of aggregated procurements for payroll services. If there’s enough interest the first aggregated procurement – national further competition 106 (NFC106) – is expected to tender in April 2019. For more information please visit our aggregation page.

10.3 Mobile voice and data services

Are you looking to make savings on mobile voice and data services for your organisation? We recently helped 13 customers save £1.9m – an average saving of 50% compared to the prices customers were paying.

You have until the end of March 2019 to express an interest in this aggregation, for more information please visit our aggregation page.

11. New frameworks and updates

*Data and Application Solutions is now live.

*Construction Works and Associated Services RM6088. CCS is managing a procurement and is looking for evaluators to assist with this process. The framework is for Construction Works and Associated Services and will establish a multi supplier agreement across 11 lots covering construction, building and civil engineering works and services.Visit the link for more information.

12. Quick links

12.1 Public Procurement Review Service

You can view the latest Public Procurement Review Service 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.

12.2 Procurement policy

If you are looking for 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.

12.3 Procurement tools

• eSourcing log on Not yet registered? Find out how to register in our eSourcing guide.

• Purchasing Platform Not yet registered? Register and learn more about the current catalogues

13. 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.

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 customer service team on 0345 410 2222

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