SPA24, which replaces the expiring Digital Transformation Arrangement 21 (DTA21) and will take effect on 1 November 2024, offers access to enhanced value across Microsoft’s portfolio of products and services to eligible public sector organisations, regardless of the size of the organisation or the procurement route used. SPA24, which will take effect on 1 November […]
Sectors Archives:
New simplified agreement, providing greater flexibility for travel, accommodation and venue services procurement, goes live
Travel, Transport, Accommodation and Venue Solutions [RM6342] consolidates 2 existing CCS agreements – Travel and Venue Solutions [RM6217], which is due to expire on 13 December 2024, and Public Sector Global Travel and Venue Solutions [RM6164], which expired in June 2024 – creating the first comprehensive CCS agreement within this sector. The agreement will provide […]
Legacy IT or the cloud?: digital transformation in the public sector
What are Legacy IT systems? Legacy IT refers to your organisation’s IT infrastructure and systems, their component software and hardware and related business processes. It becomes ‘legacy’ when the technology becomes: impossible to update expensive and no longer cost effective considered an end-of-life product Across government and the wider public sector, legacy IT systems are […]
Our new CEO, Sam Ulyatt sets out her vision and priorities for CCS
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your journey to becoming CEO for Crown Commercial Service (CCS)? I started my working career as an apprentice in chemical manufacturing and so I didn’t ‘grow up’ in the civil service. I joined in 2016 – as a Commercial Director for CCS. Because I’d […]
How to remain compliant as a public sector contracting authority
NB: This article was originally published on 30 August 2024. All information was correct at the time of writing, but may not be fully applicable following the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023. In England and Wales, the regulatory framework governing public sector procurement is currently outlined in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015). […]
Buyer’s guidance – supporting the procurement of Artificial Intelligence
Download CCS buyer’s guide to Artificial Intelligence.
£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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]