Guidance

Crown Commercial Service customer update: February 2016

Published 25 February 2016

This guidance was withdrawn on 4 September 2020

This article has been withdrawn because it’s over 4 years old.

1. National GO awards

We’re delighted to say we have been shortlisted in 4 categories at the Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards:

• GO Small Business / Third Sector Engagement Initiative of the Year Award
• GO Best Service Award
• GO Procurement Innovation or Initiative of the Year Award
• GO Procurement Team of the Year Award

The finalists have been shortlisted against a strong field of contenders from the public, private and third sectors and reflect our commitment to accelerating savings for our customers across the public sector. The shortlist also showcases the work that we have been doing to support more small businesses win government business.

Winners will be announced on 8 March at the GO Awards ceremony, which takes place during Procurex North Live 2016. Further information can be found on the GO Awards website

2. Latest procurement policy notes

2.1 Procurement policy note 01/16: complying with international obligations

The government has published new guidance that aims to stop inappropriate procurement boycotts by public authorities. The guidance makes it clear that procurement boycotts are inappropriate, outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the government.

View the guidance

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

3. Consultations on Utilities and Concessions Contracts Regulations 2016

The government’s response to the consultations on the Utilities and Concessions Contracts Regulations 2016 have now been published. The consultations confirmed that the proposed implementing regulations are fit for purpose, subject to the results described in the response documents. These documents summarise the responses received and explain our plans to implement, or transpose, these directives:

Response to Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016

Response to Concessions Contracts Regulations 2016

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. We use this information to help procurers across the public sector ensure they are transparent and open. The scheme publishes the results of investigations monthly. View the latest Mystery Shopper results to see how the scheme is helping to improve procurement practices.

5. Debt Market Integrator Programme

The Debt Market Integrator Programme aims to enable more efficient and effective debt collection across the public sector. It provides a single route to market for access to private sector debt collection; enforcement; fraud, error and debt data; and analytics services, via a joint venture company.

The government is a minority stakeholder in the joint venture company, Indesser, who were appointed following a robust and competitive procurement process.

The Cabinet Office manages the agreement, as well as delivering the broader programme to ensure effective support for customers and value for money across government.

Find out more about the agreement

If you would like further information about the programme please email DMIteaminbox@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and they will be happy to answer your questions.

6. Events

6.1 Public Sector ICT Summit

Our Commercial Delivery Director, Matt Denham, will be at the 5th annual Public Sector ICT Summit on 1 March discussing how we’re developing our commercial expertise and ensuring our agreements are accessible to small businesses.

6.2 The Procurement Conference

Sam Rowbury, Director of Policy Delivery, will be speaking on ‘Reforming public procurement: challenges and innovation’ at the Procurement Conference 2016 on 2 March.

6.3 Procurex North Live 2016

At Procurex North Live 2016 in Manchester on 8 March our Chief Executive, Sally Collier, will be presenting on integrated public sector procurement and we will be available in the pavilion, at the centre of the exhibition, to answer your questions.

6.4 THINK Cloud for Government

We will be available throughout the day to answer your questions and explain more about G-Cloud and Digital Outcomes and Specialists at the THINK Cloud for Government conference on 22 March.

6.5 THINK Cloud for Local Government

Will Laing, Senior Relationship Manager - Local Government will be speaking on ‘Where next for SMEs and the Cloud Market’ and we will be available throughout the day to answer your questions and explain more about G-Cloud and Digital Outcomes and Specialists at the THINK Cloud for Local Government conference in Manchester on 14 April.

7. Webinars

7.1 Licensing Hour webinar

This month’s Licensing Hour webinar will take place on 22 March at 2.30pm and be repeated on 24 March at 10.30am.

The session will look at licensing Oracle on VMware and Microsoft software assurance, plus share examples of success stories and the latest news for the CCS licensing team.

If you would like to join us register for the session of your choice using the links below:

• 22 March 2.30pm

• 24 March 10.30am

7.2 G-Cloud webinars

We run regular webinars for customers interested in learning more about G-Cloud, the Digital Marketplace and the buying process.

The next webinar will be on 16 March at 10.30am. The session will last about an hour and include a presentation and Q&A session.

It may be of interest to you if you are looking to buy commodity based, pay-as-you-go cloud services. Please email cloud_digital@crowncommercial.gov.uk to book a place.

7.3 Environmental and Sustainability Services

We’re holding a final customer engagement session via webinar from 2-4pm on 10 March. If you’re interested in inputting into the structure of the new Environmental and Sustainability Services agreement (RM3731) we are developing please email environmentalservices@crowncommercial.gov.uk to book a place.

8. New agreements

The following new agreement is now available for customers to use:

• Cyber Security Services (RM3764)

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 regularly so you will always have access to the latest information.

9. Agreements expiring shortly

• Merchant Acquirer Service (PS/09/93) will expire on 8 March. It is being replaced by a new Merchant Acquiring Services agreement (RM3702), which is expected to award shortly.

• Information Management and Learning Services (RM1500) will expire on 22 March and will not be renewed. Customers requiring these types of services in the future should use G-Cloud 7 (RM1557vii)

• Financial Analysis Services (RM1559) will expire on 31 March and will not be renewed. If you are interested in using these services please ensure you put a call-off contract in place before the agreement expires.

• Half Hourly Electricity and Ancillary Services (RM864) will expire on 31 March. It has been replaced by a new agreement (RM1075), which will be available from 27 March.

• Natural Gas Supply (Non Daily Metered) and Additional Services (RM897) will expire on 31 March. It has been replaced by a new agreement (RM1076), which will be available from 1 April.

• Natural Gas Supply (Daily Metered) and Additional Services (RM896) expire on 31 March. It has been replaced by a new agreement (RM1076), which will be available from 1 April.

• Market Research (RM1086) is due to expire on 13 April. UK Shared Business Services Ltd manage this agreement on our behalf and are currently considering an extension to ensure continuity of service.

• PSN Connectivity (RM860) will expire on 24 April. It has been replaced by Network Services (RM1045)

• Government Office Supplies Contract (RM917) is due to expire on 30 April. It will be replaced by Crown Office Supplies (RM3723) which is due to award in March.

• Wider Public Sector Print Services (RM1687) will expire on 30 April. We are currently working on the development of a new agreement but there will be a gap in service provision as the new arrangement is not expected to be in place until July 2016. If you wish to discuss your requirements please email printframework@crowncommercial.gov.uk

• Law Costs Draftman Services (RM1675) will expire on 25 June and will not be renewed. If you are interested in using these services please ensure you put a call-off contract in place before the agreement expires.

10. Agreement extensions

• Translation, Transcription & Ancillary Services (RM987) has been extended until 30 June 2016 to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Language Services which is due to award in March 2016.

• Face to Face Interpreting Services (RM738) has been extended until 16 July 2016 to ensure continuity of service for customers during the development of Language Services which is due to award in March.

• G-Cloud 6 (RM1557vi) has been extended until 1 August 2016. G-Cloud 7 is also now live.

• Document Storage and Related Services (RM1689) has been extended until 31 August 2016 to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement.

• Multifunctional Devices, Managed Print and Print Audit Services (RM1599) has been extended until 31 August 2016 to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement.

• Creative Solutions (RM988) lots 1-4 have been extended until 31 October 2016 to provide continuity of service during the development of Campaign Solutions. Lot 5 for contact centre services has been extended until 30 April 2017.

• Environmental and Sustainability Advice Support and Delivery Services (RM830) has been extended until 31 October 2016 to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement agreement.

• Legal Services (RM919) has been extended until 31 January 2017.

• ConsultancyONE (RM1502) has been extended for up to 9 months until 16 February 2017 to ensure continuity of service during the development of a replacement solution.

• Allied Health Professionals Health Science and Emergency Services Temporary Staff (RM959) has been extended until 31 March 2017.

• Contingent LabourONE (RM960) lots 2 and 3 have been extended until 18 June 2017. An extension of lot 1, which is due to expire on 18 June 2016, is currently being considered.

11. Expired agreements

• Civil Service Learning (RM1568) expired on 20 February. It has been replaced by a new Learning & Development agreement, which is being managed by Civil Service Learning.

• Insurance Services (RM958) expired on 25 February. It is being replaced by a new agreement (RM3731) which is expected to award shortly.

12. Contract notices

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

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

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