New centralised agreement for the procurement of adult education and training services in the UK goes live

The Adult Skills and Learning DPS [RM6348] will give public sector bodies access to all the training services they require in order to help the general public (adults and young people) develop the skills they need to gain employment, prepare for an apprenticeship or progress into further qualifications. Training is available regionally and nationally and covers a wide range of subjects, such as English, maths and computer skills, project management and artificial intelligence.

It is the first time these services have been available under one centralised commercial agreement and will save public sector organisations, including central government departments, local authorities, and colleges the time and resources required to manage their commercial procurements. DPSs are easy to use and can reduce procurement times – a simple procurement can be initiated in a matter of days, significantly shorter than more traditional procurements which can often take months.  

The DPS supports both post-16 and post-19 education, and a range of funding types such as the adult skills fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is future proofed and contains provision to include new iterations of these schemes and any future funding schemes. It will be open for use by all UK public sector bodies using their public funding for training. 

Helen MacCarthy, Commercial Director, Corporate at CCS said:

This new DPS will enable public sector bodies to better support young and adult learners to gain skills which will lead them to meaningful, sustained, and relevant employment, or enable them to progress to further learning.

It isn’t just about saving CCS customers time and money. It’s about greater access to opportunities and securing a better future for us all.

The Adult Skills and Learning DPS will run for 4 years. The majority of onboarded suppliers are expected to be SMEs, with the minimum requirements for suppliers designed to encourage SMEs to apply. The agreement will continue to be compliant under Public Contract Regulations 2015 following the introduction of the Procurement Regulations 2024. 

Innovations and benefits

  • a future-proofed solution. Suppliers can join the DPS at any time during its lifespan, allowing new training providers to be onboarded and new funding schemes used as they emerge 
  • shorter timescales compared to an open procurement – a time and resource saving alternative for public sector bodies to developing and managing their own adult skills DPS/framework
  • a filtering system to enable buyers to invite only suppliers relevant to their needs. It can be filtered by delivery locations, sector subject areas and qualification levels.
  • all suppliers are registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers 

Find out more

To find out more about Adult Skills and Learning DPS visit the agreement webpage or contact the CCS Service Desk at info@crowncommercial.gov.uk / 0345 410 2222.

Don’t forget, you can find a full list of all the commercial agreements we offer, alongside details of how we can help you build policy considerations into your procurement, in our interactive digital brochure.

Changes to our agreements in July

Welcome to our monthly framework update to help you with your procurement planning. We will publish it online each month and also share it in our newsletters and on our social media channels.

The update provides a brief summary of what has been awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is due to expire in the next 3 months.

You can also get an overview of all of our live frameworks in our interactive digital brochure.

Agreements awarded in July

No agreements were awarded in July.

Agreements extended in July

Agreements that expired in July

  • RM6145 Learning and Development

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

Further information

If you need further details about any of these agreements please get in touch.

You can also find out what new procurements we are working on by exploring our upcoming agreement page.

If you don’t currently receive our monthly customer newsletter why not also subscribe to receive these updates and more directly to your inbox? Just fill in this short form.

What is a ‘call-off’ contract and how to get the process right

NB: This article was originally published on 24 July 2024. All information was correct at the time of writing, but may not be fully applicable following the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023.

What is a call-off?

We know that public sector procurement terminology can be confusing. We often get asked by buyers and suppliers what is meant by a ‘call-off’? 

In simple terms, a call-off is just another way of saying a contract between a buyer and a framework supplier that has been placed through a framework.  You may also hear the phrase ‘call-off contract’, which means the same thing.

It is normal to see multiple call-off contracts, by multiple buyers, under one framework. 

What is the call-off process?

A call-off process is a set of instructions a buyer must follow when buying through a framework.  Direct award or further competition tend to be the most common buying processes available, depending upon the framework you wish to use. 

You are able to call-off through any Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework to meet the needs of your organisation.

How do I run a call-off process?

Before undertaking a call-off process it is it important that you, as a buyer:

  • Check which buying processes are available through the framework you have chosen: As mentioned above, direct award and further call-off competition are often the 2 main buying processes but you must check what is allowed under the framework you wish to use.
  • Read the call-off contract terms and conditions for the framework you wish to use: Bear in mind that each CCS framework will have its own set of call-off terms and conditions. These may vary framework to framework due to the different markets and scope of products or services being bought through them. 

The next step is to carefully follow the buying process of your chosen framework to ensure your own process, and the outcome from it, is compliant with procurement regulations. 

Most of CCS’s frameworks are supported by buyer guidance which can be accessed through our website, by searching for the specific commercial agreement on our Search Agreements page.

What happens at the end of a call-off process?  

Once the most suitable framework supplier for your requirement has been identified, after you have closely followed a framework’s call-off process, it is strongly recommended that you complete and sign a call-off contract with the framework supplier.  This will create a  legally binding agreement – a call-off contract.  

A framework does some of the heavy lifting for you and gives significant protection from commercial risks, however, even under a framework you are still a contracting body and must make your own assessments of potential risks, such as a supplier failing to deliver.

Without a call-off contract, it could lead to unhelpful disputes as to what has been agreed or contracted for. This adds unnecessary time and cost to the process.  Only once the call-off contract has been signed should the delivery of your required goods or services begin.

At call-off you still have to develop and agree the details of the contract to suit your circumstances, and then manage the supplier’s performance. In some situations you may need to obtain your own legal advice.

What should you think about when completing your call-off contract document?

A call-off contract should contain specific information relating to key deliverables and the types of goods and services you are buying.  This information would have been outlined and captured as part of your call-off process and could include (but is not limited to):

  • what will be supplied and when
  • how it will be supplied
  • how much the goods / services will cost
  • what insurance requirements need to be put in place
  • contact details for suppliers and buyers
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to allow you to ensure successful delivery, and offer protection if there are any issues. 

What are the benefits of using call-off contracts?

Pre-agreed terms and conditions: CCS will set out the terms and conditions for call-off contracts up front when putting a framework in place.  This means all suppliers who win a place on a CCS framework will have seen and agreed to use those call-off terms and conditions when contracting with buyers. This reduces time and legal costs because there is no need to draft a contract from scratch and it increases clarity for both buyer and supplier around the terms upon which the call-off contract will be formed.  

Cost savings: When organisations enter into call-off contracts with framework suppliers, they are able to lock in predetermined prices for goods and services. This can lead to significant cost savings over time. For example, in the case of large projects, which could last for months or even years, a call-off contract will help to ensure that the works remain within budget by locking in prices for an agreed period within the contract.

Stability: Another benefit is increased predictability and stability. By having a contract in place, you can be more certain about the availability of goods and services from your suppliers.This can help to avoid disruptions in the supply chain and ensure that your organisation has the resources it needs to operate smoothly.

Improved collaboration: Finally, call off contracts can help to build strong relationships with suppliers. Organisations can develop a deeper level of trust and understanding with their suppliers. This can lead to improved communication and collaboration, which can further enhance the efficiency of the supply chain.

The Public Sector Contract – saving you time on your procurement

We know that buyers and suppliers spend a lot of time reading and completing documents during the procurement process and that these can often be complex, which can be problematic for those organisations which have limited in-house procurement knowledge. 

To help to address this, CCS has been moving towards use of standardised terms and conditions to create an easier, yet flexible route to market for our buyers. 

The Public Sector Contract (PSC) is CCS’s standard terms and conditions for its framework agreements. It sets out the terms and conditions for both the framework contract and any call-off contracts being formed beneath it. Wherever possible, CCS will use the PSC as its starting point when creating its frameworks with the aim of creating a more consistent experience with CCS contracts whilst keeping them flexible enough for the broad range of products and services that buyers might need.   

Please note that not all CCS frameworks will use the PSC due to the nature of the market or products and services being bought under it.  Remember, it is important to always check and read the call-off contract terms for the framework you have chosen for your requirement.

Help and support

If you require support with using any CCS agreements, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0345 410 2222 or info@crowncommercial.gov.uk.

Did you know CCS also provides a free, end-to-end, Assisted Procurement Service that can help public sector customers save time and money? 

More: You can now find all of our Procurement Essentials articles in one place on our website. 

More information and guidance for public and third sector buyers, as well as full details of all of our commercial agreements, can be found in the latest digital brochure. 

£3.5 billion of central government spend given to small businesses last year

CCS, the UK’s biggest public procurement organisation, reported £3.52 billion (16.7%) of central government spend directly with 1,525 Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) over the last year, as we continue our goal to support SMEs. 

CCS publishes accounts for 2023/4

CCS today published its annual report and accounts for 2023/2024, which show the rise of £370 million compared to 2022/23.

Throughout the year we have continued to design our commercial agreements to ensure SMEs can benefit, with 72% of the suppliers on our commercial agreements now either micro (37%), small (23%) or medium (12%) sized enterprises.

Significant commercial benefits of £4.9 billion were delivered for customers across the public sector  – an increase of £1.1 billion compared to the previous year, achieving record value for taxpayers. 

This includes 8 customers achieving over 80% savings (around £1.4million) by joining a quarterly mobile voice and data services aggregation. 

Throughout the year, £30.3 billion of direct spend was channelled through our commercial agreements, supporting customers with procurements worth a total annual contract value of over £2.7 billion. Customer service satisfaction scores also rose across the year.

In April, we marked our 10-year anniversary, announcing notable successes such as the choice of approved suppliers on its commercial agreements increasing significantly from 1,700 to more than 10,000, and the scope of its commercial agreements growing to approximately 120 currently live agreements used by more than 21,000 customers.

Chair of the CCS Board, Peter George said: 

I’m delighted that 2023/24 has seen continued success for CCS in achieving even more commercial benefits for our customers. Our core purpose is putting customers first and we will continue to do this by strengthening our value offering over the next few years.

My sincerest gratitude to Simon Tse CBE, our CEO for his contributions to CCS and the journey he has taken the organisation on in his 6 years at the helm. 

I’m looking forward to welcoming our new CEO, Sam Ulyatt, to CCS and working with her to achieve our vision of becoming a world class and leading procurement organisation.

CEO of CCS, Simon Tse said: 

2023/24 has seen a focus for CCS on how best we can offer excellent value for our customers. Almost £5 billion in commercial benefits is a significant increase from last year and one that I am proud to announce. It isn’t just about saving our customers time and money. It’s about securing a better future for us all. Improving health care, public services, transport, local communities, the environment and so much more.

CCS has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and, as I retire this summer after 8 years within the organisation, I know my colleagues will continue to embrace the changes and opportunities that are coming this year and beyond.

The year at a glance

  • £3.52 billion (16.7%) of central government spend directly with 1,525 SMEs, an increase of £370 million in spend compared to 2022/23. 
  • Customers who have used our agreements have achieved commercial benefits equivalent to £4.9 billion
  • We helped customers with procurements worth a total annual contract value of over £2.7 billion
  • £30.3 billion of direct spend was channelled through our commercial agreements
  • Our Net Promoter Scores for customer satisfaction over the year were: +67 for Customer Service +69 for Assisted Procurement

Read the full report

You can read CCS’s annual report and accounts on gov.uk.

You can find a full list of all the commercial agreements CCS offers, alongside details of how CCS can help you build policy considerations into your procurement, in our interactive digital brochure.

Net Zero 50 recognition for CCS success in Sustainability Innovation

Huge congratulations to Nick Drake, CCS Sustainability Lead for Net Zero Innovation, who has been selected as one of this year’s Net Zero 50 List for the UK.

The Net Zero 50 List 2024 highlights the ongoing efforts of 50 inspiring individuals from various sectors across the UK who are leading the charge towards decarbonisation.

The list is compiled by the Net Zero Advisory Panel, made up of senior technology, business and impact experts.

By assembling this list of exceptional talent, the panel aims to showcase the UK’s role in global sustainability efforts and to advance cross-sector conversations. This helps create a network focused on innovative solutions for achieving Net Zero.

Nick was invited to an official reception at the House of Lords to mark the launch of this year’s list.

Nick welcomed the accolade, saying:

 

Being recognised as a Net Zero 50 leader is a tribute to the tremendous work done by the whole CCS Sustainability and Carbon Net Zero team, and for CCS’s role as an organisation in accelerating Net Zero progress.

Over the last few years we’ve made significant steps in internal engagement, learning and development, supplier and customer engagement, Net Zero innovation, Carbon Reduction Plans and our wider Sustainability strategy.

This award should further open up strategic relationships across Government, with suppliers and customers. I look forward to us embracing this renewed vigour and the opportunity for collaboration and action to achieve our Net Zero target.

 

Joe Tilley, Sustainability Director and Strategic Portfolio, added:

 

This is a major recognition of the outstanding work that Nick, the Sustainability team and CCS as a whole has been putting into positioning us as a leader in finding solutions to the Net Zero and wider Sustainability challenge.

Our unique position at the core of public sector procurement gives us an outsize influence in decarbonising the UK economy.

We can work with both suppliers and customers to achieve results at both ends of the procurement cycle – giving CCS a real multiplier effect and maximising the economic and social benefits of sustainability.

Nick’s place in the Net Zero 50 list is proof of the success we’re finding in our innovative approach to Net Zero.

Changes to our agreements in June

Welcome to our monthly framework update to help you with your procurement planning. We will publish it online each month and also share it in our newsletters and on our social media channels.

The update provides a brief summary of what has been awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is due to expire in the next 3 months.

You can also get an overview of all of our live frameworks in our interactive digital brochure.

Agreements awarded in June

No agreements were awarded in June.

Agreements extended in June

Agreements that expired in June

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

Further information

If you need further details about any of these agreements please get in touch.

You can also find out what new procurements we are working on by exploring our upcoming agreement page.

If you don’t currently receive our monthly customer newsletter why not also subscribe to receive these updates and more directly to your inbox? Just fill in this short form.

CCS becomes the first public sector construction framework provider to achieve Gold Standard status on new government verification scheme

The scheme was launched by Constructing Excellence in late 2023, in partnership with King’s College London, following an independent review commissioned by the Cabinet Office and carried out by Professor David Mosey MBE, of public sector construction frameworks in 2021. The review led to recommendations for a ‘gold standard’ to be introduced against which new proposed frameworks and framework contracts can be measured. 

Across the public and private sectors, there are currently over 2,000 active construction frameworks but a lack of clear guidance as to a preferred structure and ‘best practice’ features. As a result, some frameworks are not always successful in offering value for the public sector, and there is a significant cost and time wastage by public sector clients and bidders. 

Being verified as a Gold Standard framework requires a provider to submit comprehensive evidence to show that they meet or exceed set criteria. It is anticipated that cost wastage will be substantially reduced by introducing the new Gold Standard across the industry to help contracting authorities make better, informed decisions and easily identify those frameworks which meet best practices and embody the policies set out in the Construction Playbook.  

The benefits of Gold Standard frameworks include:

  • providing consistency across construction projects, ensuring that vital public sector developments have rigorous measures in place to manage risk and make sure that projects are delivered successfully
  • providing higher standards of building safety and efficiency
  • unlocking cleaner, greener construction approaches and accelerating decarbonisation
  • encouraging innovation in modern construction methods and the use of digital technology
  • encouraging early supply chain engagement and collaboration, opening opportunities for SMEs to bid for public sector contracts

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) offers the largest number of complementary construction commercial agreements in the UK, providing a wide range of customers across central government and the wider public sector with end-to-end integrated solutions for their project requirements. To achieve this accreditation, CCS took part in the verification pilot initiative, launched by Constructing Excellence in November 2023, and met all 24 Gold Standard recommendations across all of its construction frameworks following the full verification process. The recommendations have been made to improve outcomes in areas such as building safety and information, risk management, collaborative delivery, sustainability and supply chain engagement.

John Welch, Commercial Director Estates, said: 

I’m delighted that CCS’s Construction frameworks have achieved Gold Standard status. Our frameworks are designed to facilitate a real shift change in how construction requirements are procured, increasing supply chain collaboration, boosting innovation, supporting carbon net zero targets, and focusing just as strongly on building safety. 

This accreditation demonstrates how we’re continuously improving our service for customers. It isn’t just about saving them time and money. It’s about maximising their estates to build a better future for the communities they serve.

Find out more

You can find a full list of all the commercial agreements we offer, alongside details of how we can help you build policy considerations into your procurement, in our interactive digital brochure. 

Changes to our agreements in May

Welcome to our monthly framework update to help you with your procurement planning. We will publish it online each month and also share it in our newsletters and on our social media channels.

The update provides a brief summary of what has been awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is due to expire in the next 3 months.

You can also get an overview of all of our live frameworks in our interactive digital brochure.

Agreements awarded in May

No agreements were awarded in May.

Agreements extended in May

Agreements that expired in May

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

Further information

If you need further details about any of these agreements please get in touch.

You can also find out what new procurements we are working on by exploring our upcoming deals page.

If you don’t currently receive our monthly customer newsletter why not also subscribe to receive these updates and more directly to your inbox? Just fill in this short form.

CCS customer newsletter – May 2024

Latest news

Our latest digital brochure is now live
We’ve recently updated our digital brochure with an overview of how we can bring power to your procurement. Whether you are looking for more information on Transforming Public Procurement, an up to date summary of our products and services or to learn more about how we have been helping our customers, our digital brochure is here to help. Get easy access to all of the information you need by downloading our digital brochure today.

10 years of helping the public sector save time and money
April marked a big milestone for CCS as we celebrated our 10-year anniversary – following a decade of success and delivering value for our customers.

We’ve launched our Transforming Public Procurement web page
The Transforming Public Procurement programme will change how public procurement in the UK is regulated. Access all our resources together in one handy place.

Agreement updates
Find out which agreements were extended, expired or awarded last month in our regular monthly update.

Procurement Essentials
We have developed our Procurement Essentials series to help you overcome common hurdles, understand key concepts and make your life as a buyer easier.

Aggregation opportunities

Microsoft autumn 2024, closing date: Friday 7 June
Vehicles summer 2024, closing date: Friday 14 June
Postal services, closing date: Wednesday 31 July
Mobile voice and data services late 2024, closing date:  Monday 16 September
Find out more about aggregation

Upcoming events and webinars

Events

LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition, Tuesday 2 July to Thursday 4 July
SOCITM President’s Conference, Wednesday 12 June to Thursday 13 June

Webinars

Auctions Masterclass: Optimising Asset Disposals, Wednesday 19 June
Audit and assurance services (RM6310) customer engagement: round 2, Tuesday 2 July
Power Purchase agreement FAQs, on demand

View all events

More news

Save time with aggregated buying
Explore new opportunities in our upcoming postal services and vehicle aggregations, as well as our regular technology hardware and software events.

View all case studies

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If you would like to discuss your next procurement project call 0345 410 2222 to speak with one of our experts or email our customer service team at info@crowncommercial.gov.uk.

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CCS announces a new Memorandum of Understanding with Virgin Media O2, providing better value, including social value benefits, for public sector customers

Along with offering attractive discounts, the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will make it even easier for public sector organisations to buy, consume and manage all their telecom and network requirements. This includes mobile and internet connectivity, equipment and devices, IP telephony, professional technical services and equipment maintenance. It covers all areas of Virgin Media O2’s (VMO2) portfolio including its award winning gigabit fibre and 5G-ready mobile.

Every eligible public sector organisation can benefit from the value for money the MoU represents. This ranges from central government to the wider public sector, for example Local Authorities and Arm’s Length Bodies. The MoU will remain in place for a 3 year initial term with option to extend for a further 2 years.

It aims to support a number of social value initiatives that align to policy agendas, such as helping to bridge the digital divide across the UK. For example, VMO2 has committed to maintaining a programme of activities that demonstrate to buyers how the organisation can ‘Do Good with Digital’. Examples include the Community through Connectivity initiative to support 2.5 million households facing digital exclusion across the UK, in partnership with Good Things Foundation.

Additionally, public sector customers can benefit from learning and development opportunities through the MoU, such as ‘Connect More’ – a volunteering programme that enables VMO2 employees to work with public sector customers to build and improve their digital, telecommunications, and connectivity skills. 

Philip Orumwense CBE, Commercial Director and Chief Technology Procurement Officer at CCS says: 

Mobile voice and data is an integral part of enabling service delivery for the public sector. The ability to talk and communicate to colleagues and citizens and access and share data quickly and securely has never been more important.

This new MoU uses the buying power that CCS has to deliver cost effective and soundly procured connectivity solutions. The agreement additionally provides access to proof of value investments and commitments from VMO2. There will also be additional benefits for customers through increased social value and L&D opportunities.

MoUs are a preferential pricing agreement negotiated by CCS on behalf of the public sector.  They are carefully designed to compliment public sector frameworks and, critically, don’t replace any terms or conditions in place. Customers can access the VMO2 MoU discounted pricing by going through our  Mobile Voice and Data Services, Network Services 3 and Technology Products and Services 2 agreements.

Let us bring power to your procurement 

You can speak to one of our technology experts to find out how we can support your specific requirements. Please complete our online form quoting ‘Virgin Media O2 MoU’ and we will be in touch.