Guidance

Crown Commercial Service update: May 2015

Published 28 May 2015

This guidance was withdrawn on

This article has been withdrawn because it’s over 4 years old.

© Crown copyright 2015

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

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

1. New ministers

Following the General Election, Matthew Hancock has been appointed as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Minister for Efficiency & Civil Service Reform). He has replaced Francis Maude, who is now Minister of State at the Foreign Office and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Oliver Letwin is in overall charge of the Cabinet Office and has become a full member of cabinet.

In the previous government Matthew Hancock was Minister of State for Business and Enterprise. He is known to be keen to reduce barriers for small businesses wanting to work with government and to improve payment practices. This was demonstrated during his recent work with CCS on the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Bill.

View a full list of all ministerial appointments

2. New email address

Our email address has changed and is now @crowncommercial.gov.uk. For staff email addresses the format is firstname.lastname@crowncommercial.gov.uk and our new helpdesk email address is info@crowncommercial.gov.uk

3. Procurement policy notes

3.1 Procurement policy note 03/14: promoting tax compliance

The guidance contained in this note is being updated in view of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Until a new note is issued, any organisations intending to take a selection decision using this guidance should consult us beforehand by contacting the helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 or emailing info@crowncommercialgov.uk

A collection of all Procurement Policy Notes can be found here

4. 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 challenge procurers to be more transparent and open. The scheme publishes the results of investigations every 2 weeks. View the latest results to see how the scheme is helping to improve procurement practices.

5. Events

5.1 Digital Marketplace, 4 June

We’re co-hosting a buyer event with Government Digital Service in Liverpool on 4 June. If you want to find out more about agile project management and the Digital Marketplace come along to this free event. The presentations will focus on developing requirements, choosing the right technology and agile project management. There will also be plenty of time for Q&A and networking.

Event information and registration

5.2 Enterprise Application Support Services, 4 June

Have you considered using alternative support for your Oracle or SAP enterprise applications? By moving to an alternative support provider you can save 50% on your annual support renewals and avoid costly forced upgrades. Rimini Street, a supplier on the Enterprise Application Support Services agreement (RM1032) will be presenting on the benefits and cost savings that can be achieved at a free event from 10.30am to 12.15pm on Thursday 4 June in Camden Town Hall, Kings Cross, London. Our software licensing team will also be providing an update on the latest technology memoranda of understanding, including Microsoft, and the services they offer. To reserve your place please email ashley.shelbrooke@crowncommercial.gov.uk

5.3 Education ICT 2015, 11 June

We are exhibiting at Education ICT 2015 on 11 June at QEII Conference Centre, London. Sarah Hurrell, Commercial Director, Technology will also be presenting a keynote on “Benefiting from the £300 million ICT Services for Education framework”.

5.4 Public Sector Show, 23 June

We are supporting the Public Sector Show 2015 which is taking place at ExCel London on 23 June. We are hosting a range of seminars in a dedicated CCS theatre and have a stand at this free to attend event. Sally Collier, Chief Executive, will also be presenting a keynote on “Enhancing commercial effectiveness through the single buyer model”.

5.5 Future Fleet Forum, 24 June

The fleet team will be presenting on “Helping the public sector take control of fleet costs” at the Future Fleet Forum on 24 June at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

6. Procurement news

6.1 Technology aggregation opportunities

We are planning a series of national procurements for telecommunication services under the new Network Services (RM1045) agreement which is due to go live in June.

The procurements will be for fixed telephony and data access services. They are designed to improve commercial terms for existing arrangements and achieve major savings through the adoption of new technologies.

One of these new technologies is Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) which is being widely adopted to enable the use of the same telecoms infrastructure for voice and video calls as well as data, eliminating or reducing the need for dedicated ISDN lines. This has the potential to reduce telephony costs by 25-50%. SIP also paves the way for adoption of IP voice and Unified Communications solutions, which have a wealth of further business benefits.

The current timescale is for customer engagement to begin in June, with the first national procurements taking place between August and October. If you are interested in taking part or would like to find out more please email technologyaggregation@crowncommercial.gov.uk

6.2 Catering equipment and refrigeration

Following the expiry of the CCS agreements for catering equipment and refrigeration, we have entered into a collaboration with Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) to support their agreement for Catering Equipment and Associated Services.

The agreement provides a quick, simple and competitive route to purchase or hire a large range of commercial catering equipment and associated services and is available to all central government and public sector organisations.

Further information on this agreement can be found on the ESPO website

7. 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

8. New agreements

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

Media Monitoring and Evaluation and Related Services (RM3708) has also recently awarded and will be available to customers in June.

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 Laundry and Linen Services (RM849)

This agreement expired on 24 May 2015. A new agreement is currently being developed and is expected to award in October 2015.

9.2 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 go live in June 2015.

9.3 Telephony Services (RM1035)

This agreement expired on 22 April 2015. It is being replaced by Network Services (RM1045) which is due to award in June 2015.

9.4 Vehicle Lease (RM858)

This agreement expired on 15 May 2015. It has been replaced by Vehicle Lease and Fleet Management (RM3710) which is now live.

10. Agreements expiring shortly

10.1 Data Access Processing and Analytics (RM1016)

This agreement is due to expire on 15 July 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

10.2 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.

10.3 Government Office Supplies Contract (RM917)

This agreement is due to expire on 31 July 2015. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

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 June.

11. Agreement extensions

11.1 G-Cloud 5 (RM1557v)

A 6 month extension has been 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.

11.2 Meeting and Events Booking Services (RM1555)

This agreement has been extended until 31 December 2015 to provide continuity of service during the development and launch of Crown Travel and Venue Services which is due to award in July.

eSourcing log on

eMarketplace log on

If you use these tools frequently why not save them to your favourites for easy access?

Not yet registered? Find out how to register:

eSourcing guide

eMarketplace guide

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

Back to top