Scottish Procurement Collaborative Newsletter: March 2020

1. Cloud services

Do you have a requirement for cloud services and you don’t know where to start? The Scottish Procurement Cloud Services framework may be the one for you!

Our framework supports Scotland’s Digital and Data Hosting strategies for safe, secure and sustainable cloud environments. From low value public or private cloud, all the way to colocation or hyperscale (AWS, Azzure Google) requirements, the cloud Services framework offers a route to market for the entire public sector, including third sector organisations.

The fourteen framework suppliers range from global organisations to Scottish SMEs, and can all offer a range of cloud services to meet your needs. All suppliers have third party cyber security accreditations, and the ability to host your data in Scotland giving you the best security and control over your organisation’s data.  

The framework is easy to use – you can buy directly from the framework suppliers or achieve greater value for money via mini competition where estimated savings can be between 15% and 20%, and prices are capped over the duration of the framework.

Any questions in relation to this communication should contact Stuart Brown (0141 242 5626).

2. Software Value Added Reseller

Scottish Procurement are delighted to announce the publication of a new guide for the Software Value Added Reseller agreement. New additions to the guide include, guidance on the ordering process, introduction to the new ‘Quote me’ functionality and details of the services available under the framework. The new guide can be found in the Knowledge Hub within the Scottish Procurement: Procurement Information Network section.

For access to the Knowledge Hub or questions in relation to the framework please contact Stuart Brown (0141 242 5626).

3. Framework for UK and International domestic relocation services

Scottish Procurement have now concluded the relet of the framework for UK and International Domestic Relocation Services. The framework has been awarded to HCR Ltd. and will commence on 1 April 2020 for a period of four years.

Any questions in relation to this communication should contact David Bilton (0131 344 3627).

4. National Postal Framework

The national framework for the provision of postal services - SP-15-014, will expire on 30 September 2020. The relet process to replace this framework is well under way, with the Invitation to Tender due to be published early April 2020. Framework award is anticipated in August 2020, with commencement from 1 October 2020. We will issue future updates as appropriate.

5. Desktop client devices

The ICT team recently awarded a national framework agreement for the supply of desktop client devices. The framework was awarded to HP Inc. who will manage the arrangement from their offices in Glasgow.

The framework will provide public sector bodies with excellent value for money and access to best in class technology which meets or exceeds the latest energy management and environmental standards. 

Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Bryan Dodds (0141 244 6290) or James Gray (0141 242 5505).

6. Mobile client device - impact of coronavirus

Measures being applied to contain the coronavirus are having an impact on the manufacture and distribution of IT products and global demand particularly for laptops currently exceeds supply.

Scottish Procurement is one of only a small number of customers world-wide to have HP “Platinum Status”. Although this means that all Scottish Procurement framework orders are prioritised in both manufacture and distribution over other HP customer orders, it does not guarantee immunity from supply constraints resulting from measures to contain the coronavirus. Please note that desktop and laptop devices purchased under our frameworks with HP are being manufactured and delivered to order and orders will be fulfilled.

HP continue to monitor the situation and are providing regular updates to customers regarding the status of orders. In the meantime, should you wish to discuss further or have any questions regarding specific orders, please contact your HP account manager.

Access to limited ad-hoc stocks of laptops may be available via our frameworks for Web Based and Proprietary Devices (XMA) and IT Peripherals (Computacenter). Whilst these suppliers will endeavour to meet short-term demand from existing stockholding, ongoing availability and access to specific volumes cannot be guaranteed.  

7. Mobile Voice and Data Services Framework

The ICT team is delighted to confirm that the standstill period for the Mobile Voice and Data Services (MVD) framework agreement has ended and we will imminently award a single supplier framework to Vodafone Ltd. This is the first Scottish Government national framework agreement for MVD and offers excellent value for money for voice and SMS, a range of data services and a whole lot more. Organisations are able to benefit from savings of between 30 to 40% against current public sector prices. The framework also offers wider benefits in terms of fair work, climate and community benefits with dedicated account management provision being delivered from Vodafone’s Scottish premises.

The framework is for a duration of 24 months with an option to extend for a further 12 months giving a maximum framework duration of 36 months. Call-off contracts will be for a minimum period of 24 months and a maximum of 48 months. Services against the framework are expected to be available from around mid-June 2020.

Further information will be available on our website shortly including a buyer’s guide or by contacting David Box (0141 242 0345) or Lisa Pittman (0141 242 5628).

8. ICT products framework extensions

IT peripherals - the ICT products team will utilise the first option of a 12 month period of extension on the IT Peripherals framework (SP-17-021) with Computacenter. The framework will now run until 13 March 2021. We will also shortly run a survey to gather customers’ feedback to help support continuous improvement.

If you have any requirement for peripherals, audio visual, desktop printers or networking, please contact the Computacenter Account Team on scotproc@computacenter.com.

Workstation client devices - the mobile workstation element of  Workstation Client Devices Framework (SP-15-011-5) has been extended to 15 August 2020 to coincide with the new Mobiles Client Devices framework. The fixed workstation element is now provided by HP Inc on the Desktop Client Devices framework.

If you have any questions or requirements about any of the ICT products frameworks, please contact Bryan Dodds, Leigh Syme or James Gray.

9. Collaborative and Scottish Government Procurement Division

Over the past 12 to 18 months Collaborative and Scottish Government Procurement Division has seen its workload expand rapidly as we have taken on new initiatives. These include the Digital Commercial Service, the roll out of new contract management arrangements within SG and our plans for a new construction portfolio. This has been on top of the already significant demands the division faces in delivering our collaborative frameworks, the SG’s own procurement requirements and supporting the wider central government sector. We have therefore decided to restructure the current division and create two new divisions:

• Collaborative Procurement Division will assume responsibility for all collaborative procurement activities and will be headed up by Ian Howie. 
• Procurement Services Division will oversee all of the procurement activities for SG and the wider Central Government (CG) sector. This includes the CG shared service, and will be headed up by Graeme Cook.

It is expected the new structure will be in place by Monday 27 April.

10. Coronavirus – COVID-19

Scottish Procurement continues to monitor the level of any impact associated with Coronavirus. In order to minimise disruption, we have undertaken full impact assessments and continue to engage with key suppliers on SG-led agreements. If there are likely to be any substantive impacts at framework level then we shall contact affected public bodies. 

We will continue to work with the sectoral procurement Centres of Expertise and our UK Government commercial colleagues to enable an aligned approach and share knowledge. Once we are clear on any developments, we will keep you informed.

For now, we would advise that organisations should review their own contracts, including where these result from call offs from collaborative agreements, and engage with their suppliers to determine whether they consider there may be specific implications for the operability of their contracts, and to identify risks to their suppliers' ability to fulfil their responsibilities.    

We’re sure you appreciate the situation remains fluid and if you are in doubt about securing goods and services from our collaborative arrangements, please contact the appropriate framework manager.

A policy note regarding awareness on handling some procurement related issues as a consequence of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been published.

Wider Scottish Government advice on COVID-19 is available on our website.