Review to assess effectiveness of Government ICT framework agreements
An internal review into Government Procurement Service ICT procurements will make sure they are getting the best results.
31 October 2012
All planned Government Procurement Service (GPS) ICT procurements will be paused pending the outcome of an internal review to ensure they are achieving the best results for buyers and suppliers.
The review will look at how effectively current and in-flight ICT frameworks are being used. Framework agreements remove excessive procurement procedures and the need for extensive tendering by helping buyers to choose from a list of pre-approved suppliers.
Bill Crothers, Government Chief Procurement Officer, has asked David Shields (Managing Director of the Government Procurement Service), to lead the review to assess all GPS ICT frameworks. As a result, there will be a pause on all planned GPS ICT frameworks whilst the review is ongoing. Existing ICT procurement frameworks will continue to be used as normal, with buying not affected.
Cabinet Office Parliamentary Secretary Chloe Smith, said:
Our ICT framework agreements already remove excessive procurement procedures, but we want to make sure they are achieving the best savings and are easier and faster for both buyers and suppliers, including SMEs. That’s sensible for the taxpayer and for businesses. That is why we have paused all currently planned Government Procurement Service (GPS) ICT frameworks to review their effectiveness.
Bill Crothers, Government Chief Procurement Officer, said:
We want to ensure GPS framework agreements are driving the greatest competition, and achieving a wider range of suppliers, including SMEs, in the ICT market. I have therefore asked David Shields to assess how we are using these frameworks so that we can achieve the most effective results for everyone.
“This pause will allow us to look at whether we are getting this right and how we can minimise duplication across Government.