Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: August 2015

Published 26 August 2015

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

1. Apprenticeships

We are supporting the government’s commitment to widen the number and range of businesses that invest in apprenticeships, as part of their pledge to support 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.

Procurement forms an important part of this pledge and when businesses bid for relevant contracts with central government worth £10 million or more, we will review their bids in line with best practice for the number of apprentices that they expect to support.

This projection will then be written into the contract, and we will take action if the business does not meet its commitment.

These changes, which take effect from 1 September, will apply to central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies. Further details will be published online shortly.

2. Open consultation: utilities and concessions contracts regulations

We are consulting on 2 new public procurement regulations to further simplify the procurement process, making it faster and less costly to buy goods and services. These open consultations are part of our ongoing programme of engaging with stakeholders to modernise the EU procurement rules.

Through these regulations, we will implement 2 new EU procurement directives for utilities contracts and concessions contracts in support of government’s commercial reform programme. The changes will enable a more modern, flexible and commercial approach making the public procurement process faster, less costly, and more effective for businesses and public sector buyers.

The draft regulations are now available for public consultation. The closing date for responses is 18 September 2015.

View the draft regulations and further information on the utilities contracts consultation

View the draft regulations and further information on the concessions contracts consultation

3. Government and Oracle sign new deal

Working on behalf of Government’s Technology Leaders, we have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oracle that will achieve additional savings for the taxpayer over the next 3 years. The new deal builds on the previous agreement signed in 2012 and extends the scope to additional public sector bodies, including the NHS, and more products and services.

Customers wishing to take advantage of the MoU should email softwarelicensing@crowncommercial.gov.uk for further information.

4. Latest procurement policy notes

4.1 Procurement Policy Note 13/15: increasing the transparency of contract information

This procurement policy note provides guidance on the how to implement the transparency principles published in March 2015. It aims to increase the type and accessibility of contract and procurement data to the public. It applies to all central government departments, including their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

View the procurement policy note

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

5. Events

5.1 Civil Service Live

Join us at Civil Service Live and hear from our senior leadership team, including our Chief Executive, Sally Collier. This year’s event themes are innovation, leadership, new UK government and skills. We will be focusing on the commercial profession to help attendees sharpen their commercial skills. You will find us at all 5 locations:

  • Thursday 10 September: St James’ Park, Newcastle
  • Monday 14 September: Manchester Central, Manchester
  • Tuesday 22 September: Colston Hall, Bristol
  • Tuesday 29 September: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
  • Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 October: Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London

Attendance is free for everyone working in the civil service. Register for Civil Service Live

Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Paul Sanders on 020 7593 5605 or paul.sanders@dods.co.uk to find out more.

5.2 Conference on University Purchasing

On 10 September Simon Wilson, Education Business Partner, is speaking on ‘Future Procurement Challenges’ at the Conference on University Purchasing at the University of Kent.

5.3 Government IT 2.0

On 24 September Sarah Hurrell, Commercial Director for Technology, is speaking on ‘Ensuring Value for Money in Public Sector ICT and Digital Procurement’ at the free to attend Government IT 2.0 conference and exhibition in London.

5.4 Healthcare Efficiencies Through Technology Expo

We are exhibiting at the free to attend Healthcare Efficiencies Through Technology Expo in London on 30 September. Sarah Hurrell, Commercial Director for Technology, is presenting a seminar session on freeing up funds for frontline staff by optimising spend on technology. The event is co-located with Commissioning in Healthcare where we will also be speaking on engaging agency workers effectively and efficiently.

5.5 Central Government Business & Technology 2015

Sarah Hurrell, Commercial Director for Technology, is also giving a keynote address on ‘Procurement as a Key Pillar of Civil Service Reform’ at the Central Government Business & Technology 2015 conference in London on 30 September.

5.6 Procurex Scotland

We are an event partner and exhibitor at the free to attend Procurex Scotland in Glasgow on 6 October.

6. Latest Mystery Shopper results

The Mystery Shopper scheme allows suppliers to report tenders they did not understand or instances of what they believe to be poor procurement practice. The government uses this information to help procurers ensure they are transparent and open. The scheme publishes results of investigations every 2 weeks.

View the latest Mystery Shopper results to see how the scheme is helping to improve procurement practices.

7. Cyber security services

CESG has recently made changes to the standards for Certified Cyber Security Consultancy and the expiry of the CESG Listed Advisor Scheme.

We are working with CESG to develop 2 new procurement solutions for:

  1. certified cyber security services
  2. specialist certified cyber security contingent labour from CESG certified professionals

Through these new solutions it is intended that customers will be able to evaluate, select and award to CESG certified cyber security service providers using the Digital Marketplace.

Market engagement events, including a webinar and interactive workshops, are being arranged for September onwards to enable customers and suppliers to find out more about the planned solutions and help shape the routes to market. Further details will be on our procurement pipeline shortly.

The planned date for tender is October 2015 with availability for customers to use the solutions from January/February 2016.

To find out more or join the customer working group please email ict_services@crowncommercial.gov.uk

8. Back-office services

We are doing some market research into back-office services, such as payroll, HR and finance, with a particular focus on the requirements of the wider public sector. The aim is to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of back-office services, realise savings, and support economic growth. If you are interested in helping us shape the future of back-office services please email bps@crowncommercial.gov.uk

9. New agreements

The following agreements are now live and available for customers to access:

Crown Travel and Venue Services (RM3735), Facilities Management Assurance Services (RM3720) and Multi-Disciplinary Temporary Health Staff (RM3711) have also recently awarded and will be live shortly.

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.

10. New contract notices

The following contract notice has recently been published:

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

11. Expired agreements

  • Digital Services (RM1043) expired on 8 August. It has been replaced by Digital Services 2 (RM1043ii)

  • Government Secure Intranet (GSi) Convergence Framework (RM828) expired on 16 August. Customers with call-off contracts in place will be able to continue with their call-off contract in accordance with the agreed terms. We are also working with Vodafone and the Government Digital Service to unbundle the agreement’s core services into seperate components. These will be available to customers from January 2016. For further information or advice please email networkservices@crowncommercial.gov.uk

  • IT Managed Service (RM717) expired on 5 August 2015. It has been replaced by Technology Services (RM1058)

12. Agreements expiring shortly

  • Modular Buildings (RM875) is due to expire on 25 September 2015. We are exploring options to ensure continuity of service.

  • Vehicle Hire (RM807) will expire on 31 August 2015. It is being replaced by a new Vehicle Hire (RM1062) agreement which is due to award in September. Customers with a current call-off contract in place are advised to ensure it provides sufficient continuity of service until they can put in place a contract under the new agreement.

13. Agreement extensions

The following agreements have been extended to ensure continuity of service for customers:

  • Agency Nursing and Social Care (RM970) until 31 July 2016

  • Data Access Processing and Analytics (RM1016) until 31 May 2016

  • Face to Face Translation (RM738) until 16 January 2016

  • Government Office Supplies Contract (RM917) until 30 April 2016

  • Locum Doctors including locum GPs (RM1570) until 30 June 2016

  • Traffic Management Technology (RM869) until 10 July 2016

14. 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 and provide your email address and select 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 our helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 or email info@crowncommercial.gov.uk You can also follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn

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