Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: November 2014

Published 25 November 2014

This guidance was withdrawn on 1 September 2020

This article has been withdrawn because it’s over 5 years old.

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 the latest developments in procurement policy and commercial reform.

2. Procurement Policy Notes

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

3. Commercial capability

The Commissioning Academy provides a great leadership development opportunity for commissioners and others involved in transforming public services. Applications for the next intake, which will be in March 2015, need to be submitted by the end of January 2015. Apply now

4. Events

4.1 Travel workshop

Discover more about the Wider Public Sector Travel Management Services agreement (RM1034), developed in conjunction with YPO, and how you can make the most out of your travel budget.

This free event will be taking place at Leeds Crowne Plaza, 5 December, 10am to 2.30pm. Reserve your place

4.2 Digital Services webinar

The Local Government ICT Programme, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service and Government Digital Service, is hosting a webinar to provide an introduction to Digital Services, including a live demonstration of the Digital Services Store and an overview of how Digital Services complements other technology agreements, such as G-Cloud.

The webinar will take place from 10am to 11am on Monday 8 December. To receive joining instructions email ashley.shelbrooke@camden.gov.uk

4.3 Government Procurement Summit

CCS is supporting this free to attend event in London on 9 December and will be both exhibiting and speaking on commercial reform and how we are engaging with SMEs. Find out more and register

5. Aggregation opportunities

5.1 Technology hardware

If you are intending to buy technology hardware products (eg desktops, tablets, laptops, monitors, printers, mobile devices) over the next 3-6 months and would be interested in participating in an eAuction in early 2015 please email TechnologyAggregation@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

We would also like to hear from you if you are interested in participating in an aggregated further competition in the next 12 months.

5.2 Mobile voice and data services

Following the success of our last aggregated further competition which achieved savings in excess of £5.1 million, a 66% saving compared to the baseline, we are now developing a number of aggregated further competition for mobile voice and data services. If you would like to find out more please email TechnologyAggregation@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

6. OJEU contract notices

Recently published OJEU contract notices for new CCS agreements include:

• Non Medical Non Clinical Resource which is due to award in April 2015.

• Workforce Management which is due to award in February 2015.

• G-Cloud 6 which is due to award in February 2015.

• Technology Services which is due to award in March 2015.

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

7. New agreements

The following agreements have recently awarded and are now available for customers to buy through:

• Corporate Software Solutions (RM1042)

• Technology Products (RM1054)

Media Buying (RM1051) has awarded and will go live in January 2015.

View full details of these new CCS agreements and all other live agreements in the find an agreement directory

8. Expired agreements

8.1 Commercial Catering Equipment (RM922)

This expired on 31 October and options for a new arrangement are being reviewed. Customers with immediate requirements may wish to consider if the ESPO Commercial Catering Equipment agreement can meet their needs.

8.2 NHS Building and Engineering Maintenance Services (CM/FMM/08/5012)

This expired on 19 October and the services it covered will be incorporated into Facilities Management Services (RM1056) which is currently being developed. Customers requiring services before the launch of the new agreement could consider Fusion 21 or Pro5 as they may provide a suitable alternative.

8.3 Recruitment Marketing (RM1713)

This expired on 24 October and options for a new agreement are being reviewed. Customers with immediate recruitment advertising requirements may wish to consider ESPO’s Advertising and Communications agreement. Please email k.richardson@espo.org or call 0116 294 4075 to find out more.

9. Agreements expiring shortly

9.1 Central Government Travel Management Services (RM918)

Lot 2 is due to expire on 21 December and lot 1 is due to expire on 13 February 2015. We are currently considering an extension of both lots to ensure continuity of service for customers.

9.2 Face to Face Interpreting Services (RM738)

This is due to expire on 16 January 2015. We are currently exploring options to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Language Services agreement.

9.3 G-Cloud 4 (RM1557iv)

This 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.

9.4 IT Managed Services (RM717)

This is due to expire on 5 February 2015. It is being replaced by Technology Services (RM1058) which is currently being developed.

9.5 Legal Services (RM919)

This is due to expire on 31 January 2015. We are currently considering an extension to ensure continuity of service for customers.

9.6 Media Buying (RM1704)

This will expire on 31 December. It is being replaced by Media Buying (RM1051) which will go live in January 2015.

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

This is due to expire on 31 December. We are currently finalising options to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Non Medical Non Clinical Resource (RM971)

9.8 Office Supplies (RM781)

This is due to expire on 7 January 2015. It is being replaced by Office Supplies for the Wider Public Sector (RM3703), which is expected to award in December 2014.

9.9 Refrigeration (RM673)

This will expire on 21 December and we are currently reviewing options for a new arrangement. Customers with immediate requirements are advised to ensure that they have a call-off contract in place before the expiry date. For refrigeration requirements after 21 December customers may wish to consider if the ESPO Commercial Catering Equipment agreement can meet their needs.

9.10 Vehicle Hire (RM807)

This is due to expire on 20 December and we are currently exploring options to ensure continuity of service for customers. Customers with immediate requirements should ensure they have a call-off contract in place before the expiry date. Customers with a current contract may wish to consider an extension until autumn 2015.

9.11 Vehicle Purchase (RM859)

This will expire on 31 December. It is being replaced by Vehicle Purchase (RM1070) which is expected to go live in early December.

10. Agreement extensions

10.1 Commodity IT Hardware and Software (RM721)

This has been extended up to 31 January 2015 to provide continuity of service for customers with further competitions underway. Technology Products (RM1054) is now live and should be used for all new requirements.

10.2 Digital Services (RM1043)

This has been extended until 31 March 2015 to ensure continuity of service during the development of Digital Services 2.

10.3 Government Office Supplies Contract (RM917)

This is being extended until 31 July 2015 to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of the replacement agreement, Crown Office Solutions.

10.4 Insurance Services (RM958)

This 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

10.5 IT Hardware and Solutions (RM1692)

This has been extended up to 31 January 2015 to provide continuity of service for customers with further competitions underway. Technology Products (RM1054) is now live and should be used for all new requirements.

If you need further information about anything in this update please do not hesitate to contact the CCS helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 or email info@ccs.gsi.gov.uk

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