Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: March 2015

Published 27 March 2015

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

1. The pre-election period

We expect Parliament to be formally dissolved on Monday 30 March, and following this, we will enter into the “pre-election period” (often referred to as Purdah) before the general election on 7 May.

Our work will continue during this time but, in line with general election guidance, there will be fewer communications issued.

We will, however, still provide you with essential operational information so that you can continue your day-to-day work.

This reduction in communication will last until a new parliament is in place.

2. Procurement Policy Note 04/15: taking account of suppliers’ past performance

To ensure good provision of public services and value for money, it is important that suppliers with the necessary technical and professional ability are selected to bid for contracts. One aspect of this is a supplier’s reliability as demonstrated by its performance in past contracts.

This latest Procurement Policy Note (PPN) incorporates the requirements of the new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and sets out government policy to ensure suppliers’ past performance is taken into account.

This PPN applies from 1 April 2015 and you can view full details here

3. Procurement news

The development of ConsultancyTWO (RM3745) is now underway and further details can be found here

If you are interested in supporting the development of this procurement please email advisory.services@crowncommercial.gov.uk with “customer engagement” in the title of your email.

3.2 ePurchasing Card Solution

If you are still using the Government Procurement Card agreement and have not yet transitioned to the new ePurchasing Card Solution (RM1095) we would encourage you to move your existing programme to the new agreement or set up a new card programme.

Wider public sector customers should use lot 1 and central government customers should use lot 2. Guidance and information/assessment packs to help you set up a call-off contract are available online here

3.3 Specialist Nuclear Services

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Estate has awarded a number of agreements for the provision of specialist nuclear services, which will be available for both central government and wider public sector organisations to use from 1 April 2015. There are 31 agreements available with 20 suppliers over 7 lots. Services include laboratory and desktop research, waste and decommissioning studies, safety case preparation, engineering design and land quality. For information please email annette.turner@magnoxsites.com

4. Contract notices

The following contract notice has recently been published:

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

5. New agreements

The following agreements are now available for public sector organisations to buy through:

Telecoms Expense Management (RM1014), Half Hourly Electricity (RM1075) and Natural Gas and Additional Services (RM1076) have also recently awarded and will go 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.

6. Agreements expiring shortly

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

This agreement is due to expire on 30 April 2015 and we are currently considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

6.2 G-Cloud 5 (RM1557v)

This agreement is due to expire on 22 May 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

6.3 Laundry and Linen Services (RM849)

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

6.4 Press Cuttings (RM1726)

This agreement will expire 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. Customers with call-off contracts in place may wish to consider a contract extension to ensure continuity of service if their contract is due to expire before May 2015.

6.5 Telephony Services (RM1035)

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

6.6 Vehicle Lease (RM858)

This agreement is due to expire on 15 May 2015. It will be replaced by a new agreement Vehicle Lease and Fleet Management which is expected to award and go live shortly.

7. Agreement extensions

7.1 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.

7.2 PSN Connectivity (RM860)

This agreement has been extended to 24 April 2016, providing continuity of service during the development and launch of Network Services (RM1045). The extension incorporates an additional requirement for customers to seek approval before they proceed with their further competition. Details of this new process can be found here

7.3 PSN Services (RM1498)

This agreement has been extended to 26 June 2016, providing continuity of service during the development and launch of Network Services (RM1045). The extension incorporates an additional requirement for customers to seek approval before they proceed with their further competition. Details of this new process can be found here

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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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