CCS Explains Procurement Aggregation Plans

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has outlined plans for technology aggregation opportunities within government procurement.

It is now asking customers to come forward with ideas and requirements for upcoming purchasing frameworks which will aim to achieve transparent government pricing for products and deliver measurable savings.

“The aim is to consolidate existing agreements and create a clear procurement landscape for commodity IT requirements,” claimed CCS.

Under the aggregation plans, the organisation has launched a managed email services framework earlier this week and has held competitions for mobile voice and data services.

Technology Aggregation In Process

It is currently developing a Technology Products agreement that will replace the existing Commodity Hardware and Software framework, which is due to expire next month.

Technology Products (RM1054) is being built in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Pro5 group.

It aims to facilitate the procurement of commodity hardware and software products and solutions.

The agreement, which is estimated to be worth between £4bn and £6bn, will be divided into four lots, technology hardware, packaged software, secure technology products and disposals and user devices.

For lots one, two and four, there is a maximum of 15 suppliers, while lot three is limited to seven suppliers.

Those who successfully bid for a place within the agreement have now been announced, with the Cabinet Office claiming that 15 of the 33 are SMEs.

Successful suppliers are reported to include tech giants such as HP Enterprise Services, Dell, Toshiba Information Systems, Fujitsu Services, Samsung Electronics, Lenovo Technology and Acer.

Despite the development of new frameworks, CCS still say central government Departments must formally consider G-Cloud first as part of their procurement and approval process.

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