Crown Commercial Service customer update: October 2015
Published 27 October 2015
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1. New Collabora deal will provide savings on Open Source office software
A new deal with Collabora Productivity will provide public sector organisations with savings on Open Source office software.
With a familiar interface for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations and more, Collabora GovOffice offers considerable cost savings compared to competing packages. The Open Source software can complement or replace existing office applications and be used to extend the usefulness of other software packages.
The deal applies to all non-profit making government organisations, including those working on behalf of government, either directly or via outsourcing. For more information email softwarelicensing@crowncommercial.gov.uk
You can also view details of all our current public sector software discounts
2. Spend recovery service identifies £2.5 million
We have developed internal capability to conduct spend recovery audits, on behalf of government and public sector customers.
The managed service, which launched just 4 months ago, has identified £2.5 million that is due to be returned to customers, through the analysis of data and invoices to identify overpayments and duplicate payments. £1 million of this has already been returned and £1.5 million is currently being recovered.
At present only spend on common goods and services is analysed, but plans are in place to extend the service to cover all spend for customers.
The service also provides ‘lessons learned’ feedback to customers so they can take steps to avoid the same issues recurring in the future.
If you would like to know more about this innovative service please contact Paul Davies or Mike Flanagan by calling 0345 410 2222.
3. Technology update and service principles
Our technology team has come a long way since it was created in 2014 by combining the ICT and telecoms commercial teams of, what was then, the Government Procurement Service (now CCS), and the commercial team from the Public Services Network programme.
We’re now responsible for around £2.7 billion of spend on common technology goods and services covering cloud and digital services, technology products and services, network services and software licensing. Over the last year (2014/15) we have:
- saved our customers (and ultimately taxpayers) £640 million against a 2009/10 baseline - a year-on-year increase of 70%
- helped customers use our commercial solutions - over 1,100 of whom spent over £1 million
- provided 4,200 technology suppliers, the majority of whom are small and medium businesses, with access to public sector business opportunities
- saved over £85 million on software licensing costs
Find out more about how the technology team is transforming and the 7 service principles that we work to.
You can also follow Sarah Hurrell, Commercial Director, Technology on Twitter: @hurrelluk
4. Procurement policy
A new web page outlining procurement policy information and useful links is now live. The content is primarily aimed at central government procurers. However, it will also be of interest to procurers in the wider public sector, particularly in relation to the legal framework and requirements for public procurement.
View the public sector procurement policy web page
Looking for a particular procurement policy note? View a collection of all procurement policy notes
5. 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. We use 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.
6. Events
6.1 Licensing Hour webinar
This month’s Licensing Hour webinar will take place on Wednesday 11 November at 2:30pm. It will also be repeated on Friday 13 November at 10:30am.
The session will cover:
- using third party support services to reduce your Oracle expenditure
- our new Huddle memorandum of understanding
- using Open Source in conjunction with Office 365 to reduce total costs
- recent Google announcements around free Google Apps for Enterprise customers
The Licensing Hour is a monthly webinar series aimed at keeping public sector IT and procurement professionals up to date on the latest developments in software and the work of the software licensing team.
If you would like to join us register for the session of your choice using the links below:
6.2 Health workforce regional events
NHS trusts subject to the new nursing agency rules must now secure nursing agency staff via agreements approved by Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Agency.
We’re pleased to confirm that our Multi-Disciplinary Temporary Healthcare Personnel (RM3711) and Agency Nursing and Social Care (RM970) agreements are approved.
You can find out more about all our agreements for health workforce requirements, including how they can help you make savings and be compliant with the new nursing agency rules, at a series of events during November:
- Liverpool: Monday 9 November, Gateway Centre
- Newcastle: Tuesday 10 November, Hilton Hotel
- London, Tuesday 10 November, Grange Wellington Hotel
- Nottingham: Thursday 12 November, Kegworth Hotel
- Leeds: Thursday 12 November, Radisson Blu Hotel
- Birmingham: Monday 16 November, Royal Angus Hotel
- Cambridge: Tuesday 17 November, Quy Mill Hotel
- Brighton: Tuesday 17 November, Mercure Hotel
- Exeter, Wednesday 18 November, Jury’s Inn Hotel
Each event will start at 10.30am and last about 2 hours. To reserve your place please email ursula.hardaker@crowncommercial.gov.uk
6.3 Public Sector Procurement Summit
We are supporting the free to attend Public Sector Procurement Summit which is taking place in London on 10 November. Sally Collier, Chief Executive, will be presenting a keynote speech and Dr. Cass Chideock, Deputy Director, SME Policy, will be talking about how we are engaging with SMEs.
6.4 Public Sector Communications Academy
Our communications category team will be at the Public Sector Communications Academy in Coventry on 10-12 November.
6.5 Local Government Procurement Expo
Sally Collier, Chief Executive, will be presenting a keynote speech and Will Laing, Business Delivery Manager, will be speaking about how collaboration can help you make savings at the free to attend Local Government Procurement Expo at Olympia, London on 18 November.
6.6 Academies Show
We are supporting the free to attend Academies Show in Birmingham on 25 November and will be exhibiting and speaking at the event.
6.7 HCSA annual conference
Sally Collier, Chief Executive will be speaking at the Health Care Supply Association (HCSA) annual conference on 26 November and we will be exhibiting on both days - 25 and 26 November.
6.8 TechUK meet up: Digital Marketplace
On 25 November from 4-6pm TechUK is hosting a Digital Marketplace meet up to bring together public sector buyers and suppliers. At the event Andrea Birch from the Department for Work & Pensions will be talking about DWP and the G-Cloud community of practice and we’ll be there too. If you would like to join in you can register for free.
7. Procurement news
7.1 Communications
We’re beginning the process of updating 2 of our communications agreements and need your help to make sure what we put in place meets your needs. The agreements being reviewed are:
- Creative Solutions Execution and Related Services (RM988)
- Strategy and Planning (RM1011)
Communications is a fast moving industry and the needs of government are changing. This is an opportunity to review how our arrangements can work better for you.
By taking a few minutes to answer some very basic questions you will help us gather data to look at what services different departments are using, or see a need for, which will help shape our thinking.
Please complete the survey by 30 November 2015
7.2 Legacy telecoms agreements
If you’re an existing customer of our legacy agreements, Telecom Networks (RM374) or Specialist Solutions (A217837), please remember the maximum contract term is fast approaching. With the recent launch of Network Services (RM1045), there’s no better time to arrange your move.
Network Services provides a flexible route to market for telecoms and network-related services from a range of specialist suppliers. The agreement has been designed to deliver savings, choice and flexibility, whilst ensuring compliance with the wider government technology strategy.
For advice on moving from our legacy agreements to Network Services please email networkservices@crowncommercial.gov.uk.
7.3 Behavioural Insights
Updated customer guidance is now available for the Behavioural Insights Consulting and Research agreement (RM3742).
8. New agreements
Vehicle Hire Services (RM1062) is now live giving you access to a wide range of vehicles including passenger vehicles, off road 4x4s, minibuses and heavy goods vehicles. Features include an innovative new car sharing option, price protection for 4 years, international vehicle hire and access to electric and ultra low emission vehicles.
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. Contract notices
The following contract notices have recently been published for new procurements we are developing:
You can view details of all ongoing or planned procurements on our procurement pipeline
10. Agreements expiring shortly
- G-Cloud 5 (RM1557v) is due to expire on 22 November. G-Cloud 6 runs until 1 February 2016 and G-Cloud 7 is due to award in November
- Payroll, Human Resources (HR) and Finance Services (RM887) is due to expire on 1 December. We are currently exploring options to provide continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement
- Central Government Travel Management Services (RM918, lot 2) is due to expire on 20 December. It has been replaced by Crown Travel and Venue Services which is now live
- Translation, Transcription & Ancillary Services (RM987) is due to expire on 31 December. We are exploring options to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Language Services
- Bookings Services for Meetings & Events across Central Government (RM1555) is due to expire on 31 December. It has been replaced by Crown Travel and Venue Services which is now live
11. Expired agreements
Modular Building Systems (RM875) expired on 25 September 2015. We plan to develop a new Modular Buildings Systems procurement solution, and would like to engage with potential customers to ensure that the new offering meets your needs. If you would like to be involved in stakeholder engagement email procurement@crowncommercial.gov.uk
If you have any immediate requirements please contact our helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 or info@crowncommercial.gov.uk for advice regarding alternative options.
12. Agreement extensions
Traffic Management Technology (RM869) has been extended until 10 July 2016.
13. 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.
14. Quick links
If you use these tools frequently why not save them to your favourites for easy access?
Not yet registered? Find out how to register:
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