Decarbonising the logistics sector: fueling a greener public sector

The role of logistics in the supply chain

The rise of international trade has increased the negative effects of climate change, making supply chain logistics a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Now more than ever, it is clear that emissions in the logistics sector need to be assessed and reduced. 

The Public Procurement Notice (PPN) 06/21 is directed at all suppliers bidding for public sector contracts over £5 million. Since September 2021, providers have been required to demonstrate their commitment to the carbon net zero pledge with a carbon reduction plan. This includes logistics service providers who are bidding in the open market. 

What are the alternative fuels?

One method to reduce logistical carbon emissions is by exploring the use of alternative fuels to diesel. Benefits include reduced pollution, but also allow for new investment in UK produced alternative fuels.

Biofuels

One of the more readily available fossil fuel alternatives on the market is biofuel. Biofuel is produced from a variety of organic matter and comes in different forms, depending on how it is produced and its biological source. Common forms include bio-diesel, a sustainable alternative to regular diesel; ethanol, a bio-alcohol alternative to petrol; and biogas (methane produced from decomposition of organic matter). A common form of biodiesel production in the UK is the repurposing of vegetable fats. 

Now, large logistics providers are using biofuels, and more carriers are experimenting with further use of biofuels and gas as an alternative to fossil fuels. Biofuels are seen as an immediately available and carbon-reducing intermediary that logistics providers can use to bridge the gap between fossil fuels and future zero-carbon fuels such as green electricity or hydrogen. 

Natural Gas (methane)

Methane is a naturally-occuring gas and can be harvested from underground fossil fuel reservoirs, or produced from organic matter. Whilst methane is a greenhouse gas in itself, it burns cleaner than other longer-chain petrochemicals and is less polluting. 

Natural gas is used in its liquified or compressed form as a vehicle fuel and gas-powered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are available on the market.

Going greener

The power of electric 

Even though biofuels are renewable and less polluting options to their fossil counterparts, they still require the combustion of hydrocarbons and so they still carry a negative environmental impact by producing carbon dioxide. 

Greener fuel options include electric and hydrogen fuel cells. The automotive industry has been developing electric vehicles (EVs) for the domestic market for some time and there are estimated to be over 740,000 EVs licensed in the UK. Electrifying road freight is more problematic due to longer distances travelled and carrying heavy loads at high speed but despite the challenges, electric HGV (eHGV) options are available on the market. 

Other experiments in electric freight movement are underway across Europe. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced last year the UK government would be funding a scheme to install an electric road system on a stretch of the M180 near Scunthorpe. The scheme would see the construction of powered catenary lines running above the road, similar to above a train track, from which electric HGVs would draw power using an extendable pantograph arm located on the roof. Similar systems are also being trialled in Sweden and Germany. 

Hydrogen

The greenest fuel currently available may be hydrogen. Combustion of hydrogen has only one byproduct, which is water, and advocates view hydrogen fuel cells as the ideal fuel source of the future but hydrogen fuel has its complications. The extraction of hydrogen currently requires high volumes of green energy to power the process, often by electrolysis from methane. Further energy is required to compress and cool the gas to the point where it can be safely stored for transport. As a result of these complications, it is unlikely that widespread use of hydrogen will happen in the short term.

How can we help? 

In 2020, we launched our first ever Logistics and Warehousing framework. There are 25 suppliers registered to the agreement and all, like many in the industry, are seeking to implement their own changes to support the net zero pledge. Speak to our suppliers to see how their use of alternative fuels can support your supply chain carbon reductions. 

Additionally, if you are considering switching to EVs, telematics data can help you in the transition to an electric fleet and inform what type of vehicle will fit your commercial requirements. The Vehicle Telematics: Hardware and Software Solutions framework can help inform business decision making and ensure that the steps you take towards greening your fleet are aligned with your organisation’s fleet policy.

Let us bring power to your procurement

To find out more about how we can help you decarbonise your logistics, get in touch:

Safe data storage: how to use electronic systems to securely manage your HR records

This blog on safe data storage has been written in conjunction with Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO), our partner on the RM6175 Records Management framework, and Ricoh, one of the suppliers available on the framework.

Why are HR records suddenly an issue in schools and academies?

As schools convert to an academy status they take on the responsibility that was previously held by a local authority to hold and maintain HR records, in a compliant way. The grouping of academies into multi-academy trusts (MAT) means that lots of these records are suddenly in one, unsecure place and are often in paper form.

What does that mean for a MAT?

There is a responsibility under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Agreement (DPA) legislation that these records are safe, accurate and recoverable on demand. The difficulty with paper records is that they typically:

  • take up a lot of expensive office space
  • are vulnerable to damage like fires or flooding
  • are at risk of misfiling and can go missing
  • can only be searched on the criteria they were filed under (for example, a name or employee number)

What is the solution?

There are options available that will support you in meeting legislation rules. Adopting an electronic document management system (EDMS) means that:

  • the paper can be securely destroyed after being scanned to electronic format
  • the data is accurate and as secure as all of the MATs other data
  • the records become searchable using multiple fields, making records easier to find (for example, finding diversity data)

How do you go about implementing this?

Using a supplier on lot 5 of our RM6175 Records Management framework provides a variety of benefits. These include scanning existing records to digital format in bulk, secure destruction of paper records, and hosting of the data within a cloud platform that is licensed as Software as a Service (SaaS).

This means there is no expense of providing servers to hold the data or paying for licences you don’t need.  The benefit of this is that you can flex your licensing as the trust grows or shrinks.

Find out more

If you would like any further information about records management, please get in touch:

Is it time to review your organisation’s printing needs?

For many organisations, this is highlighting the need to understand their current Multifunctional Devices (MFD) estate as they look to move to a more digital hybrid way of working.

If it is time for your organisation to review its printing needs, lot 4 of our Multifunctional Devices agreement (RM6174), developed in partnership with YPO and ESPO, offers print consultancy services.

Reviewing and understanding your estate

For our customers, making the changes you need to ensure you have a fit for purpose estate can include:

  • auditing your current MFD estate
  • assessing print volumes pre- and post-Covid-19
  • reviewing your existing printing policy to make efficiencies

All of these activities can be time consuming for customers and not all organisations have the in-house expertise to do this effectively.

How can the agreement help?

Lot 4 for print consultancy services has been designed to help organisations that do not have the time and/or expertise to assess their current printing position and redesign a new strategy in line with more mobile ways of working.

Lot 4 has a number of independent vendor neutral suppliers who can provide print consultancy services to support you. The suppliers will use their knowledge and market expertise to help you through various steps from:

  • reviewing business strategies and printing policies
  • understanding your current MFD position, up to and including number and location of each device across your estate and historic and future printing volumes
  • reviewing printing policies
  • identifying process efficiencies and new digital solutions
  • technical specification drafting
  • evaluating tender responses

Find out more

To find out more about our printing services and how we can support you:

You can also download our digital brochure for full details of all our agreements.

Discover how we can support secure collections and asset recovery for the police and emergency services

At Crown Commercial Service (CCS) we understand that our police and emergency services customers need much more from a courier than delivering a package. That’s why we developed our Courier and Specialist Movements (RM6171) agreement. It enables customers not just to move packages from A to B, but also:

  • move valuable and high risk items in a secure and compliant way
  • generate value by reselling high value assets such as cars

Secure services

Lot 5 of the agreement offers a managed service for explosive substances (Class 1), firearms and weapons. This gives you access to suppliers that can arrange the secure collection, delivery and disposal of items such as:

  • firearms (sections 1,2 and 5)
  • explosives (UN Class 1)
  • weapons
  • controlled and illegal drugs

By using our agreement you can be confident that suppliers have the right certifications, licences and security in place. For example:

  • explosive certificates
  • section 5 firearm licences (issued by the Home Office)
  • vehicles fitted with Global Positioning Systems (GPS), immobilisers and alarms
  • lockable steel cages
  • temperature controlled vehicles
  • secure gun crates which are sealed to form an evidence chain
  • maintenance of the chain of custody

Asset recovery

Lot 6 offers a managed service for asset recovery to help customers generate money from assets that are no longer required, or have been confiscated or seized by law enforcement and need to be disposed of.

What is an asset?

An asset can be anything you own or have confiscated, from a mobile phone or electrical device to equipment and machinery. It can even be high capital value such as property, vehicles and land.

How can suppliers help?

Our suppliers can offer an end-to-end managed service for the removal of unwanted and seized assets of all sizes and weights. In addition, they can provide asset assessment, expert advice and alternative solutions for disposing of unwanted property.

They can manage the moving, recycling, reselling, donating or securely disposing of assets.

You can donate and recycle unwanted assets, helping to meet social value targets. Or, you can resell assets with secure transportation and storage, receiving part of the monetary value. A full audit trail is provided if the asset has to be destroyed.

Find out more

To find out more about our managed services for explosive substances and asset recovery, visit the Courier and Specialist Movements (RM6171) webpage or fill in our contact form.

If you would be interested in future webinars about the agreement fill in our contact form stating ‘RM6171 Courier and Specialist Movements webinar’ in the comments box.

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.

Bal Love | Assistant Category Manager – Courier & Logistics

Multifunctional Device agreement enables Xerox to support social value and create jobs

Updated: September 2023

Xerox is one of the suppliers on our Multifunctional Devices (MFDs), Print and Digital Workflow Software Services and Managed Print Service Provision (RM6174) agreement.

They are keen to participate in social value initiatives that support government corporate social responsibility policy. For example, through the Kickstart Scheme (now closed), which aimed to provide equal opportunity and help tackle economic inequality, they welcomed 20 individuals to their organisation. The scheme provided participants with the opportunity to gain invaluable experience within a leading multinational tech company. It has also enabled Xerox to fast-track the establishment of a new digital sales team by retaining rising talent from the programme and offering several individuals full-time positions.

The aim of the team is to support small to medium sized public bodies and make sure they get maximum benefit from the services available to them through the CCS framework.

Maryan, a digital sales executive who joined Xerox through Kickstart in November 2021, said:

The Xerox Kickstart team provided incredible support and guidance which I have massively benefited from. I joined the programme straight out of university and spent 6 months working as a sales enabler, which built a strong foundation and helped me learn a lot about the business. After completing the programme, I was glad to receive an offer for a full-time position as a digital sales executive. I am excited to continue furthering my professional development and supporting public sector organisations.

Zoe works for YPO who partnered with CCS to develop this agreement. She saw an immediate impact from having the Xerox team support public sector customers, and commented:

I have received calls from customers who have been contacted by the Xerox team wanting to discuss the framework. It is great to see that the team is supporting our customers so proactively.

You have the power to boost social value

To learn more about the services available through the agreement and how it can help your organisation achieve its social value objectives:

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 brochure.

Our new first of its kind agreement, specifically for big data and analytics services and software, goes live

 

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has launched a new agreement for big data and analytics services and software, which aims to support the public sector to improve data use, drive efficiency and improve services.

Big data and data-driven capabilities, such as artificial intelligence, is an evolving field which has come into sharp focus across the public sector following the pandemic. 

The new Big Data and Analytics [RM6195] agreement is the first CCS agreement to be solely dedicated to the procurement of data and analytics services and software. It will offer all public sector customers a central route to market, across a range of specialist suppliers. It has been developed in accordance with the National Data Strategy.

The framework’s scope will support a variety of customer needs – from niche reporting and analytics projects to complete data service transformations – to enable them to use data more efficiently. It’s just one of a number of agreements from CCS designed to help public sector customers tackle the issues and challenges involved in procuring technology solutions. 

50 suppliers have been awarded a place on the framework, 46% of which are SMEs. Big Data and Analytics will run for 2 years with the possibility of extending by a further 2 years. Call-off contract durations can be up to 5 years. 

Philip Orumwense, Commercial Director and Chief Technology Procurement Officer, Crown Commercial Service says: 

Data has the potential to transform our public services through enhanced productivity, helping to grow the economy.

This new framework will support the requirements of the government and the wider public sector as they continue to use data to innovate. It is yet another example of how CCS is helping the public sector to continue on its digital transformation journey.

Innovations

  • a simple 2 lot structure, encompassing a wide range of data and analytics capabilities in a single, consolidated framework
  • an evaluated pool of suppliers allowing customers to drive cost reductions and increase value for money through healthy competition
  • an optional capability ‘down-select’ mechanism to enable mini-further competitions under Lot 1, assisting with agile call-offs 
  • the new agreement aims to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to become suppliers, by enabling tier 1 suppliers to sub-contract, and therefore include SMEs in their supply chain
  • specific provisions to enable supplier knowledge transfer and help grow customers’ in-house capabilities 
  • public sector contracting terms and conditions create an easier, more flexible route to market, tailorable to customers’ specific operational needs

Lotting structure

The lots will comprise: 

Lot 1 – ‘Design, build and run’ professional services:

  • advanced analytics and cognitive
  • data management & acquisition 
  • data risking 
  • platforms services
  • reporting and dashboards 
  • search and discovery services

Lot 2 – Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software:

  • big data management
  • machine learning & artificial intelligence
  • reporting & analytics
  • data mining, risking & science
  • search and data discovery

Find out more

To find out more about Big Data & Analytics visit the agreement webpage or contact the CCS Service Desk at info@crowncommercial.gov.uk or 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 August

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 August  

Agreements extended in August

Agreements that expired in August

  • No agreements expired in August

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.

New carbon monoxide legislation

New legislation is coming into force on 1 October 2022. 

  • both social and private landlords will be required to provide carbon monoxide alarms in any room of their properties used wholly or partly as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is present (excluding gas cookers)
  • there will be a new obligation on all landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of a tenancy
  • landlords will be required to repair or replace alarms as soon as reasonably practicable
  • any landlord found to be in breach of these regulations could be fined up to £5,000 for each breach

How we can help

Our Building Materials and Equipment framework (RM6157) contains 6 of the UK’s leading electrical distributors including City Electrical Factors, Edmundson Electrical, Huws Gray, Rexel, RS Components and Yesss Electrical.

The framework uses a priced core list, meaning you can buy monoxide and smoke alarms at prices that will be held until July 2023.

You can direct award based on the most commercially advantageous solution or, depending on your requirement, you may prefer to run a further competition. We can assist with either through an Expression of Interest (EOI) or a Request for Quotation (RFQ) on your behalf. 

A further competition for larger quantities is always recommended as you will benefit from discounts based on region and volumes that are generally not contained within pricing lists for single items.

Find out more

Visit the agreement page or ask a question through our online form.

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.

Period of National Mourning: a message for CCS customers and suppliers

It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

Crown Commercial Service is currently following the mourning guidance and the responsibilities of government departments. 

From today, Friday 9 September, until the day after the funeral, we will be in a period of National Mourning. During this time there will be some important changes to our commercial activity within CCS. 

Firstly, all public-facing activities such as customer and supplier events will be postponed until after the period of National Mourning ends. 

Our Customer Service Centre will remain open to support customers and suppliers. We have also paused all communications on commercial activity (for example, framework awards, publication of PINs) except that which is most urgent, for the period of National Mourning. Business-as-usual contact with CCS which does not take place in a public forum will continue.

If you have any other concerns or queries that you would like guidance on, please contact the customer service centre on 0345 410 2222 or email info@crowncommercial.gov.uk  

 

Simon Tse

Chief Executive Officer, Crown Commercial Service

 

Tips for smoother travel during disruption

Travel was one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic with widespread job losses.  Booking suppliers are now facing recruitment challenges and as a result, many suppliers have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Many customers have reported facing difficulty when trying to contact their booking supplier by telephone and waiting considerable lengths of time to get through to speak to someone. We want to make you aware of some of the challenges and pressures that the industry is facing and share our top tips to make your travel plans easier during this time.

Cancellations and staff shortages

Prior to the pandemic, many customers were using self-booking tools for the majority of their booking activity. Currently, customers are nowhere near those levels. The increase in telephone bookings and enquiries adds to the difficulty of speaking to booking suppliers.

In recent weeks, large-scale disruptions caused by airline flight cancellations, staff shortages at airports and strikes on the UK rail network have placed considerable strain on travel booking suppliers.

Hotel payments

There have also been occasional reports of challenges around payment for hotel stays where customers use Billback, or prepayment set up by the booking supplier. There are cases of hoteliers facing recruitment challenges following the pandemic and there are many new staff in place. Despite the conscientious efforts of booking suppliers to ensure that Billback and prepayment have been set up, there are still too many travellers arriving at properties only to be told they have to pay. This can be very distressing for those involved, but in many cases, it is not the fault of the booking supplier. CCS is continuing to work with travel suppliers to resolve these glitches in the process.

Top tips to follow

Where travel is essential, to help you and your fellow travellers have the smoothest possible booking experience please note the following top tips: 

  • Where possible, do not use the telephone to make new bookings. Instead, use the online booking tool provided. Only the most complicated multi- air routings and rail itineraries should need to be booked over the phone
  • If you are unsure of how to use the online tool, take advantage of any training provided by the booking supplier. If there are no current sessions available, each supplier provides intuitive guides to using the online tools that are easy to follow.   
  • If your flight is not imminent (i.e.within the next 4 weeks) please do not contact your agent to check if your flight has been cancelled. Situations are changing frequently and your agent will proactively contact you if there is any change to your booking
  • If you are booked on a train in the future when no strike date has been announced, please do not call your agent to ask if the train is running. Until a strike date is announced and the train operating company publishes whatever timetable may be operating, the booking supplier will not know
  • If you have booked accommodation using either prepayment or Billback, ensure you have all proof of payment documentation with you. If your booking supplier recommends using a Mobile APP for payment confirmation such as Conferma, ensure you have it downloaded to either your work or personal mobile, as this will enable you to present proof of payment

If you should experience any issues with your booking service that are beyond reasonable in the context of the information given above, it is vital that these are addressed with your travel booking supplier.  This can be done directly or via the relevant contract manager in your department or organisation.   

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 commercial agreements brochure.