Scottish Procurement Collaborative Newsletter: December 2019

1. Media Services Frameworks

Media Services Framework (second generation)

Our Media Services Framework (second generation) commenced service on 1 November 2016 and will run until 31 October 2020 so there’s still time to consider if this framework would be suitable for your organisational needs.

Precise Media Monitoring Ltd are the supplier for both Lots, detailed below, the framework offers the following services to framework public bodies throughout Scotland:

Lot 1

• Press cuttings service
• Broadcast service
• Online news media service
• Social media service
• Analytics and evaluation service

Lot 2

• News release distribution and newsroom service
• Enquiry management service

Precise Media Monitoring Ltd are more than happy to discuss how they can provide their services to your organisation, prior to any call-off contract being placed. You may even wish to consider a short trial period, prior to placing a longer-term call–off contract.

Please feel free to contact Precise to discuss your organisations’ needs – without commitment - including any possible training requirements.

Further details, including supplier contact details and the buyer's guides, are available here.

Media Services Framework (third generation)

We have recently commenced the re-let process for what will be the third generation of the framework and will keep framework public bodies up to date as the re-let process progresses.

Any questions in relation to this communication should be directed to David Bilton Senior Portfolio Specialist on 0131 244 3627 or Lisa Pittman Portfolio Specialist on 0141 242 5628.

2. Temporary and interim staff services framework

We are now approximately eight months in to the Temporary and Interim Staff Services Frameworks that commenced service on 13 April 2019 and we would like to take the opportunity to welcome all users to the frameworks.

We also thought this would be a timely opportunity to highlight key documentation and guidance to ensure best practice in order to get the most out of the frameworks.

The main landing page for the frameworks, available at the above link, is the first port of call for most users and has many useful links.  The buyer's guides have key information on how the frameworks should operate as well as supplier and Scottish Procurement contact information. There is also a handy hints and tips guide to help you get the best out of the frameworks in the most effective way. This page has many other useful links including published (redacted) copies of the contracts issued to framework suppliers. Please familiarise yourself with these documents prior to utilising the new frameworks.

All of the above information and more is also available via the Knowledge Hub.  The Knowledge Hub features detailed pricing information for all frameworks as well as full framework terms and conditions. Access to the Knowledge Hub is restricted. If you are not registered to access this and are eligible to use these frameworks please complete the registration form and send it to one of the Scottish Procurement contacts listed below.

There are four frameworks, with four suppliers per framework, the successful contractors for each framework are listed below (listed in the ranked order):

Framework Ref: SP-18-012

Framework for the Provision of Admin, Catering and Manual Staff Services – North Region

1. Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Ltd
2. ASA Recruitment
3. Genesis Personnel Ltd
4. Blue Arrow Ltd

Framework Ref: SP-18-013

Framework for the Provision of Admin, Catering and Manual Staff Services – South Region

1. Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Ltd
2. Blue Arrow Ltd
3. ASA Recruitment
4. Brightwork Ltd

Framework Ref: SP-18-014

Framework for the Provision of Interim Professional Staff Services – National

1. ASA Recruitment
2. Harvey Nash Scotland
3. Venesky-Brown Recruitment Ltd
4. Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Ltd.  

Framework Ref: SP-18-015

Framework for the Provision of Interim IT Staff Services – National

1. ASA Recruitment
2. Lorien Resourcing Ltd
3. Harvey Nash Scotland
4. Venesky-Brown Recruitment Ltd

Call-off contracts may be awarded under each of these frameworks in one of two ways:

• by the direct award ranked solution procedure
• by mini-competition (inviting all framework xontractors)

Each framework public body will decide on a case-by-case basis for each individual assignment, which award method (direct award ranked solution or mini competition), is likely to offer best overall value for money and achieve the desired result in terms of assignment fulfilment but it is worth pointing out that if you choose the mini-competition option, you must invite all four suppliers to that competition. If you are using the direct award ranked solution, you must approach suppliers as per their ranked order, detailed above.

Please note that all our suppliers welcome the opportunity to engage with all clients and potential clients so please feel free to pick up the phone to discuss your organisational needs, especially if you have a requirement that is perhaps a bit niche or unusual. There is no commitment at this stage and this will help suppliers build a profile of the sort of roles your organisation might need in the future.

Please ensure this information is circulated to any interested parties and potential framework users within your organisation/sector. 

Any questions in relation to this communication should be directed to David Bilton Senior Portfolio Specialist on 0131 244 3627 or Lisa Pittman on Portfolio Specialist 0141 242 5628.

3. Mobile voice and data services

Our ICT team has issued an invitation to tender for a single supplier framework agreement for mobile voice and data services (MVD). This will replace the collaborative mini competitions carried out previously and covers a wide range of MVD including calls and data, mobile device management, managed service, international calls and data etc. The framework is expected to be awarded in March 2020 with services being available around June 2020. 

Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Dawn Swan on 0141 242 5595 or David Box on 0141 242 0345.

4. Internet of Things

Our ICT team are looking to develop a pipeline of potential opportunities for our Internet of Things (IoT) dynamic purchasing system.  If you have a requirement for IoT or want to hear a little more on the benefits that IoT could provide, please contact David Box on 0141 242 0345. 

We are also considering holding an event in the new year and again, let us know if this would be of interest.  Further information can also be found on our website.

5. Software Value Added Reseller one year anniversary

Our Software Value Added Reseller (S-VAR) framework agreement with Softcat, has now reached its one year anniversary.  It has been a busy but successful first year with a significant number of Scottish public sector bodies benefiting from the framework.

Highlights from the first year include:

• Framework spend over £48 million
• Over 2,000 orders raised
• Over 100 public sector organisations using the framework

The framework provides all Scottish public sector bodies with a direct route to market for  commercially off the shelf (COTS) software and support services.

Testimonials

“NHS National Procurement utilised the new “on-boarding” process at Softcat to procure a software solution for our Governance team.  The whole process (engaging with the Supplier, agreeing commercial terms, finalising the T’s and C’s and the supplier becoming a Softcat partner) took less than 2 weeks.  Arron Deas from the Partner Alliance Team at Softcat kept us updated with progress, which ensured we were able to place our contract and Purchase Order before expiry of our current contract.” Billy Hislop, IT Category Manager, NHS National Procurement 

“Softcat entered into this framework with the objectives to deliver procurement efficiency, value for money and community benefits to the Scottish Public Sector.  Through our continuous investment in people in our Scotland office and local business subcontractors, we have been able to achieve these objectives whilst upholding our strong reputation for excellent employee satisfaction and customer service.” Anthony Dowen, Public Sector Director Softcat

Additional information, including a buyer's guide, can be found in our contract directory.  A supplier guide is also available and can be found within our secure stakeholder group ‘Procurement Information Network’ within Knowledge Hub.

If you do not have access to the secure stakeholder site, please register by completing and returning the membership request form to Scottishprocurement@gov.scot.

6. Edinburgh Taxis (Relet) 2020

An Invitation to Tender (ITT) for this new Category A framework is due to be issued mid-December 2019.

This new framework will provide a passenger only taxi service covering Edinburgh and immediate surrounding areas. It is envisaged that a new single supplier framework will be in place with effect from 30 June 2020 for a period of four years.

Should you have any questions in relation to this framework, please do not hesitate to contact Neil Mactavish on 0141 242 5589 or Martin Mooney on 0131 244 4437.

7. Tablets, Chromebooks and Thin Client Devices

The ICT team recently awarded a National Framework Agreement for the supply of Tablets, Chromebooks and Thin Client devices.

The framework will commence on 1 December and will provide public sector bodies with access to best in class technology which meets or exceeds the latest energy management and environmental standards at significant savings compared to market prices.

The framework had been awarded to Glasgow based, XMA Ltd who are a signatory to the Scottish Business Pledge and have committed to deliver a range of community benefits including the delivery of digital skills training for school pupils and teachers. 

Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Dawn Swan on 0141 242 5595 or James Gray on 0141 242 5505.

8. Desktop Client Devices

The current framework for Desktop Client Devices will expire on 31 December 2019.  Details of the replacement framework will be published on our website shortly.  In the meantime further information can be obtained by contacting Dawn Swan on 0141 242 5595 or James Gray on 0141 242 5505.

9. Supply Chain Cyber Security Guidance and Scottish Cyber Assessment Service (SCAS) Decision making tool

The SCAS tool has been subject to detailed user and functional testing and is currently going through final testing. The current aim is to launch a public Beta version mid-January after the Christmas break.  All supporting documentation such as guidance, terms and conditions, updated supplier and procurement journeys will be published in conjunction with the release of the tool.

For more information or any questions or queries please contact the Cyber Resilience Unit mailbox at CyberResilience@gov.scot.

10.  Scottish Procurement Digital Procurement Meetups 2020

Following from the success and feedback of previous sessions, the collaborative ICT team will be hosting another set of stakeholder engagement events in February and March 2020. These sessions are for Scottish public sector colleagues to engage directly with the ICT team on any general digital technology procurement issues and demonstrate a selection of the hardware devices that are available through our agreements.

The meetups will be held in various locations across Scotland in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. Spaces will be limited to 20 people per session. The confirmed sessions are:

14 February – Glasgow (am and pm sessions) – Atlantic Quay 5

24 February – Edinburgh (am and pm sessions) – Saughton House

3 March – Inverness (pm) – council headquarters

The Dundee and Aberdeen sessions will be confirmed for w/c 10 February or 17 February.

The registration process will shortly be available through Eventbrite, if you are interested in attending, please register your interest by contacting bryan.dodds@gov.scot. If you have anything specific you would like to be demonstrated or questions you wish to ask in advance please contact bryan.dodds@gov.scot. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.