1. How government is addressing the upcoming changes to data protection

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 will come into force on 28 May 2018, and apply to any organisation that controls and processes personal data.

To help ensure that you are equipped to make the necessary changes to contracts, a commercial strand has been established by our domestic policy team with representatives from across the public sector, including central government departments, local government and the NHS. We are developing a procurement policy note (PPN), which will include a set of standard generic terms and conditions covering GPDR for insertion into government and public sector contracts, along with additional guidance on the commercial aspects of the new regulation.

The PPN is due to be published shortly. If you would like to find out more, please email info@crowncommercial.gov.uk or call 0345 410 2222 and ask to speak to Emma Gallacher, Head of Domestic Policy.

2. Join a CCS aggregation and make great savings

Have you considered joining one of our aggregation opportunities to make even greater savings? When buying common goods and services, bringing together customers with similar needs has several advantages, including big savings and a simpler tender process:

• the more customers we can bring together the greater the savings for all
• collaboration helps ensure consistent application of best practice and opportunities for learning
• simplification of the tender process reduces procurement costs for buyers and bidding costs for suppliers

Examples of our aggregation success can be found in our case study collection.

2.1 Mobile voice and data services

We’re planning the next national further competition under our Network Services (RM1045) framework to put in place a mobile voice and data services contract. It will offer you a high level of flexibility by:

• establishing a zero line rental model for basic connections, so you do not incur costs for lines not used (zero usage)
• structuring services as “bolt-ons” to the basic connection, enabling you to build packages to suit your specific requirements - removing the restrictions of a “one size fits all” approach
• 30-day terms for “bolt-ons” enabling you to change your mix of services during the contract

We are currently gathering expressions of interest and compiling customer requirements with a view to running the competition in February, with contract award in March 2018.

Our last competition saved 17 customers over £2.7 million. If you are interested in getting involved please get in touch - simply tick the aggregation box and quote NFC81.

2.2 Vehicles

We run 3 vehicle eAuctions each year as by combining customer requirements we have found customers can save as much as 40% on manufacturer’s retail price.

Our eAuctions are run under lots 1 and 2 of the Vehicle Purchase (RM1070) framework and any volume or vehicle type can be considered. We can also help you if you want to lease rather than buy the vehicles.

If you would like to take part in the next eAuction, which will take place in February, we will need your commitment by early January 2018.

If you are interested in finding out more please get in touch - simply tick the aggregation box and quote Fleet eAuctions.

3. CCS events

3.1 Technology webinars

Our technology framework teams are hosting a series of webinars to help explain what, and how, you can buy technology and digital solutions through our frameworks.

3.2 G-Cloud on 8 November and 6 December at 10.30am

Find out how to search for and buy cloud computing services like infrastructure, platform, software and specialist cloud services.

Register for 8 November.

Register for 6 December.

3.3 Cyber Security Services on 9 November at 11am

As cyber attacks become more and more frequent, find out how we can help you procure National Cyber Security Centre certified suppliers to test and protect your systems.

Register.

3.4 Technology Products on 24 November at 2.30pm

Join our customer overview of the different ways you can use our agreement for all your IT hardware and commodity software needs, including access to our extensive online catalogue, the Purchasing Platform.

Register.

3.5 Network Services on 5 December at 10.30am

Networks remain fundamental for the successful delivery of public services. Join us for this overview of the Network Services framework, covering how to buy a variety of services, from mobile connections to wide area network connections.

Register.

4. Exhibitions

4.1 Public Sector Show

We are once again supporting the Public Sector Show in Manchester on 21 November. The event aims to bring together senior professionals from local and central government and the wider public sector to hear key policy updates, learn from best practice case studies and satisfy their procurement needs to deliver smarter and more efficient public services.

The event focuses on the particular challenges facing public services in the North of England, the Midlands and beyond; exploring issues of devolution, funding constraints and the specific demand needs of the regions.

Nick Caton, Head of Wider Public Sector, will be speaking on delivering value in public service procurement, and in the CCS open theatre we will be hosting sessions on:

• using social value criteria to run and evaluate your procurement
• aggregation through collaboration
• transforming public procurement with a click
• why customers choose CCS for utilities & fuels

Learn more about these sessions.

It’s free to attend – register now.

4.2 Public Sector Procurement Summit

We are supporting the 5th annual Public Sector Procurement Summit in London on 5 December. David Skinner, Director of Corporate Solutions will be presenting the morning’s keynote speech at this event, which will discuss key issues at the heart of UK public sector procurement.

It’s free to attend – register now.

5. Communications brochure

We have recently published a brochure providing an overview of the frameworks which cover the whole marketing and communications journey, from insight and planning through developing and delivering campaigns, to events, media buying, auditing, monitoring and evaluation. View brochure.

6. New frameworks

Management Consultancy (RM3745) lots 4-8 for HR, health & community, education, infrastructure, and ICT & digital have now awarded and will go live shortly.

7. Latest procurements

The following OJEU contract notices have recently been published:

• Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) Access Services (RM3825), which is due to be available from late November.
• Behavioural Insights (RM6004), which is due to award in January 2018.

8. Frameworks expiring shortly

• Wider Public Sector Travel Management Services (RM1034) is due to expire on 10 November. We are considering an extension to ensure continuity of service during the development of a new framework.

• ConsultancyONE (RM1502) is due to expire on 15 December. Customers can put in place call-off contracts for future works up until the expiry date, or use the new Management Consultancy (RM3745) framework lots as they are awarded. The finance and audit lots are available now, and the HR, health & community, education, infrastructure and ICT & digital lots have recently awarded and will go live shortly.

• Legal Services (RM919) lot 5 will expire on 27 December and lot 8 will expire on 31 January 2018. Central government customers should now use the General Legal Advice (RM3786), Finance and Complex Legal Services (RM3787) and Rail Legal Services (RM3756) panels for all their legal requirements. A new Legal Services marketplace is also being developed to offer a wide range of services to the whole of the public sector. It will also be suitable for central government customers with requirements below £20,000 in value.

• Printing and Specialist Paper (RM1078) is due to expire on 19 January 2018. Customers looking to purchase paper should use the Office Supplies for the Wider Public Sector (RM3703) framework. Customers looking for print services should use the Managed Print and Digital Solutions (RM3785) framework.

• Behavioural Insights Consulting and Research (RM3742) will expire on 3 February 2018. It is being replaced by Behavioural Insights (RM6004), which is due to award in January.

9. Recently expired frameworks

Computer Based Testing Services (RM995) expired on 17 October. Customers with online testing requirements should now use G-Cloud 9 (RM1557ix).

10. Framework extensions

• Digital Outcomes and Specialists 2 (RM1043iv) has been extended until 27 January 2019.

• Postal Goods and Services (RM1063) has been extended until 16 February 2019.

• Building Materials and Associated Services (RM3747) has been extended until 19 February 2019.

• Cyber Security Services 2 (RM3764ii) has been extended until 1 March 2019.

11. Quick links

11.1 Case studies

Take a look at our latest case studies to see how we have been helping our customers.

11.2 Mystery Shopper results

You can view the latest Mystery Shopper results to see how the scheme is helping to improve procurement practices across the public sector and support our ambition to make doing business with government as easy as possible for small businesses.

11.3 Procurement policy

If you are looking for public procurement policy guidance please take a look at our public procurement policy page.

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

11.4 Procurement tools

eSourcing log on. Not yet registered? Find out how to register in our eSourcing guide.

12. 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 by providing your email address and selecting the frequency you wish to receive updates.