OGCbs strikes IT agreements

New framework to reduce public sector costs

By Kablenet, 21st June 2006

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OGCbuying.solutions has launched a new framework for IT goods and services.

The agency has predicted that the framework would save over 10 per cent for buyers.

The new agreement, known as the IT Goods and Associated Services Framework Agreement, is to be managed by OGCbuying.solutions, the trading arm of the Office of Government Commerce.

It replaces the majority of the GCat framework agreements, which expire in September 2006. OGCbs said it expects the new agreement to continue and build upon the savings provided by GCat.

The framework was designed and evaluated with help from OGCbuying.solutions customers, drawn from central and civil government, local authorities, the Ministry of Defence and the devolved administrations.

Chief executive Hugh Barrett said: "This new agreement is aimed specifically at reducing the cost of IT goods, including software, purchased by the public sector. We already have a long track record of success in this area and this new framework will deliver even greater savings than before."

During a competitive procurement process, fully compliant with EU directives, service providers had to demonstrate exceptional value and capability for the opportunity to supply across government. The framework has a number of changes designed to make purchasing simple for the public sector customer and give a high degree of assurance that the prices paid from the "best of breed" suppliers selected are the best in the public sector marketplace.

The new agreement is split into 11 separate supply categories, or lots covering distinct sectors of the market: