Guidance

Crown Commercial Service update: April 2015

Published 28 April 2015

This guidance was withdrawn on

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© Crown copyright 2015

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

1. Reminder: the pre-election period

When parliament formally dissolved on 30 March we entered into the “pre-election period” (often referred to as Purdah) before the general election on 7 May. Whilst our work continues, in line with general election guidance, we are issuing fewer communications during this time. We are, however, still providing you with essential operational information to help you continue your day-to-day work.

2. eLearning and guidance: Public Contracts Regulations 2015

Free eLearning on the new regulations is now available on the CCS learning hub

More guidance documents have also been added online

3. Procurement Policy Notes

The following Procurement Policy Notes were published at the end of March:

A collection of all Procurement Policy Notes can also be found here

4. Events

4.1 G-Cloud

If you want to find out more about G-Cloud 6 and the Digital Marketplace come along to a free event on 1 May between 10.30am and 12.30pm at Camden Town Hall, London. You can reserve your place by emailing ashley.shelbrooke@crowncommercial.gov.uk

5. Procurement news

5.1 Contact and call centre services

If you need contact and call centre services the following options can simplify your procurement process:

PSN Services (RM1498) offers a broad scope of contact centre solutions, through lot 5, which can be on your premises, outsourced or cloud based. Please email networkservices@crowncommercial.gov.uk for further information.

Creative Solutions, Execution and Related Services (RM988) offers outsourced options for outbound customer communications, through lot 5, to support marketing campaigns, and provide consumer advice and technical support. Please email commscategoryteam@crowncommercial.gov.uk for further information.

The Department for Work and Pensions also has an agreement in place, which runs until November 2016, and is available to other public sector organisations. Suppliers can provide both scripted and unscripted contact handling via phone and other channels such as email, text and web-chat. If you are interested in this agreement please email networkservices@crowncommercial.gov.uk in the first instance for further information.

6. Technology aggregation opportunities: get involved

We are planning our next national aggregated further competition for goods and services within the scope of lots 1, 2 and 4 of Technology Products (RM1054) including:

  • laptops and tablets
  • basic mobile handsets and smart phones (excluding airtime)
  • desktops, monitors, keyboards, thin clients and docking stations
  • servers, switches and card readers
  • peripherals such as mice, bags, covers, USB memory sticks and accessories
  • consumer off the shelf packaged software

This competition will be of interest to you if you are looking to purchase these types of products for delivery from August 2015 onwards.

If you are interested in getting involved or would like to find out more about the benefits of taking part email technologyaggregation@crowncommercial.gov.uk before 5pm on Wednesday 6 May quoting reference: NFC23.

We are also planning quarterly competitions throughout the year and the next one will commence in mid June with an eAuction at the end of August or early September. To express your interest email technologyaggregation@crowncommercial.gov.uk

7. Contract notices

The following contract notices have recently been published:

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

8. New agreements

Crown Hosting Data Centres (RM1069) is now live and available for customers to access.

The following agreements have also recently awarded and will be available for customers to access shortly:

  • Building Materials (RM3747)
  • Half Hourly Electricity (RM1075)
  • Natural Gas and Additional Services (RM1076)
  • Telecoms Expense Management (RM1014)
  • ICT Services for Education (RM1050)
  • Vehicle Lease and Fleet Management (RM3710) lots 1 and 2

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

9. Recently expired agreements

9.1 Press Cuttings (RM1726)

This agreement expired on 30 March 2015. It is being replaced by Media Monitoring and Evaluation and Related Services (RM3708) which is due to award in May 2015.

9.2 Telephony Services (RM1035)

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

10. Agreements expiring shortly

10.1 eDisclosure and Hard Copy Review Services (RM924)

This agreement is due to expire on 7 June 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

10.2 G-Cloud 5 (RM1557v)

This agreement is due to expire on 22 May 2015. A 6 month extension is being put in place to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of G-Cloud 7. G-Cloud 6 (RM1557vi) is also available for customers to use.

10.3 Laundry and Linen Services (RM849)

This agreement will expire on 24 May 2015. Customers with current arrangements in place are encouraged to extend their contracts to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement.

10.4 Law Costs Draftsman Services (RM1675)

This agreement is due to expire on 30 June 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

10.5 Locum Doctors including locum GPs (RM1570)

This agreement is due to expire on 30 June 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service for customers.

10.6 Non Medical, Non Clinical Resource (CM/AAC/09/5124)

This agreement will expire on 30 June 2015. It is being replaced by a new Non Medical, Non Clinical Resource agreement (RM971) which is due to award in May.

10.7 Vehicle Lease (RM858)

This agreement will expire on 15 May 2015. It is being replaced by Vehicle Lease and Fleet Management (RM3710) which will go live in May.

11. Agreement extensions

11.1 Digital Services (RM1043)

This agreement has been extended until 8 August 2015 to ensure continuity of service during the development of Digital Services 2 (RM1043ii) which is due to award in June 2015.

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

This agreement has been extended until 30 April 2016 to ensure continuity of service for customers.

11.3 Spend Analysis and Recovery Services (RM1037)

This agreement has been extended until 23 May 2016 to ensure continuity of service for customers.

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

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