4.5 million chances to benefit – make your purchasing pay dividends this winter

The usual winter pressures, combined with the coronavirus pandemic, means the pressure on our health sector is growing day by day. More than ever before, using finite resources as efficiently and effectively as possible is an absolute necessity. 

At CCS, we’re here to help you do this. 

This winter there is a clear and urgent need for solutions that can rapidly provide impactful and tangible results. Solutions that, almost overnight, can save you time and money.

For this reason, we encourage all of our health customers to consider how to extract the maximum possible benefit from every purchase they make by paying through procurement card via our Payment Solutions agreement. 

Why not benefit when you buy? 

The Institute for Government recently reported that in 2018/19, the Department for Health and Social Care spent around £70 billion on procurement in England alone. The vast majority of this was NHS spending, with nearly £6 billion spent on consumables such as gloves and syringes. 

The frequent purchasing of quality goods and services, at the best possible price, is clearly fundamental to delivering a world-class health service. Indeed, NHS Supply Chain manages over 4.5 million orders each year.

With the widespread use of our Payment Solutions agreement, that’s 4.5 million opportunities to save time and money, strengthen your supply chain and enjoy enhanced financial control. 

Procurement cards – the power is in your hands

Whatever you’re buying – from consumables and cleaning products to print and PPE – can be purchased through a procurement card. This unlimited scope means you can enjoy the following benefits every time you buy: 

  • save time and money – purchasing with a procurement card means your finance team doesn’t need to raise POs or process invoices, freeing up valuable resources, while using a card typically saves around £5 per transaction compared with traditional methods.
  • strengthen your supply chain – suppliers get paid within 4 days by the card provider meaning your supply chain and business resilience are strengthened. Something that’s especially important during COVID-19. Furthermore, the faster payment isn’t at your expense – the cards work on a buy now, pay later basis.
  • actively generate funds – prompt payment generates impressive discounts from suppliers who, on average, are willing to offer a 3% discount for being paid just 15 days earlier. You receive an annual rebate from your card provider and the more you spend, the more you recoup.
  • enjoy more control – you can easily set or update transaction limits for both staff and suppliers, while a bespoke reporting suite allows you to monitor purchasing in real-time. Meaning you can track every penny that’s being spent.

Start benefiting today 

Anything can be bought on a card, meaning you have unlimited chances to benefit, while the benefits increase exponentially the more purchases you make. 

Whether you’re already using procurement cards but want to further harness their power, or if you want to introduce them into your organisation, you can quickly and easily start seeing the benefits. 

Already using procurement cards?

If, like most, your organisation already uses procurement cards, our category experts recommend that you conduct a review of all current and future purchases to see where there’s opportunity to spend more on cards.

Despite their unlimited scope, many organisations use cards for a narrow set of purchases – every purchase not made by card is potentially losing you time, money and control while weakening your supply chain.

We also recommend that you work with your Finance department and card provider to integrate payments into your existing procurement card programme and talk to all of your suppliers. If they don’t accept card payment, highlight that they will be paid earlier and ask them to speak to their bank to enable card payments. 

You may also find our Payment Solutions webpage useful. It’s packed with detail – including an interactive infographic – on how to get the most from procurement cards. 

New to procurement cards?

If your organisation is not currently using procurement cards, or are interested in switching providers, contact our team today. You can also find out more about the agreement on our Payment Solutions webpage.

It’s quick and easy to integrate procurement cards into your organisation. You can start saving time and money, strengthening your supply chain, generating additional funds, and enjoying increased financial control within weeks. 

How the CCS travel category is supporting the response to COVID-19

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the CCS travel team, supported by our framework suppliers, has supported a variety of customers with their complex, unique and often urgent requirements. 

In the early days of the pandemic, our category experts played a vital role in the repatriation of British nationals and their families from overseas. We also played a critical role securing emergency accommodation for rough sleepers and victims of domestic abuse. 

We have continued to support the response throughout the pandemic, with our travel team helping to facilitate:

  • the booking of over 620,000 room nights for key workers, vulnerable people and the asylum community. This involved booking venues for exclusive use along with individual rooms.
  • the return of 40,000 people to the UK on repatriation flights – either on commercial flights or on the 184 charters arranged by our framework suppliers CTM
  • coaches to transport those returning to the UK from the airport to isolation facilities – along with providing specialised vehicles, when needed
  • our suppliers provided other services such as support for managing loans, to allow passengers to pay for repatriation flights and sourcing essential products such as microwaves and clothing for people required to go into quarantine immediately after arriving in the UK. 

Some of highlights of the work we’ve done to support our customers throughout the pandemic:

Let us take the strain

From helping repatriate Britons to securing temporary accommodation, assisted by our suppliers, we have responded at pace to our customers’ unique and varied requirements. But, with COVID-19 still placing restrictions on our daily lives, we know the job is far from over.

The travel team at CCS stand ready to assist with all your travel needs. For example, we are currently supporting several universities with their end-to-end transportation requirements and providing accommodation for the vulnerable.

Whatever your needs, our experts will have the solution.

  • to learn more about our travel category, visit our webpage
  • contact us to speak with an expert

London Fire Brigade simplify their facilities management procurement with CCS

The requirement

The London Fire Brigade wanted to simplify their facilities management procurement, by combining its cleaning, security, pest control and horticultural services contracts. They wanted to appoint a single supplier for a minimum of a 3-year period to deliver all four services for more than 100 operational fire states and 2 office buildings.

The solution

LFB initially reached out to CCS whilst assessing the current facilities management (FM) market conditions and procurement options as part of a wider strategy. LFB worked with the CCS to understand their FM offering, to help them decide if it was suitable for their needs as a route to market. CCS supported LFB throughout the process, helping them to develop their bid including the KPI model, payment mechanism, pricing models and evaluation criteria.

The result

By using the FM Marketplace framework, LFB successfully achieved its desired outcome of combining services into a single supplier contract to provide a simplified procurement route. They were impressed by the level of support provided by CCS throughout the entire process, in particular with the management of clarifications, assistance on all procurement related queries, support on process and contractual matters and thorough cost model organisation and analysis.

The entirety of the procurement process was run during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing all members into unfamiliar working arrangements on both sides. Despite this added challenge, CCS were able to maintain consistent and regular communication and ensured that all target dates initially agreed upon were met. As a result of this, the procurement process was seamless and efficient, from the formalisation of the bid pack documentation to contract award.

Simplify your procurement today

At CCS, our aim is to help you make smarter buying decisions to help you add power to your procurement. Get in touch to find out how we can help you streamline your procurement.

Permanent Recruitment framework helps Maritime and Coastguard Agency get fit for the 21st century

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), based in Southampton, was seeking an Executive Director of Technology to lead their digital transformation strategy. This was a new position that would play a pivotal role in the creation of the ‘Future Coastguard’ programme to ensure a coastguard fit for the 21st century.

Attracting the right talent

Recognising that the right calibre of candidate would be challenging to find, not least because of the location outside of London, MCA turned to the CCS Permanent Recruitment framework to find a specialist digital transformation recruiter. Following a further competition, they appointed Global Resourcing to manage this critical appointment.

Global Resourcing worked with MCA to create an eye-catching and vibrant campaign that would appeal to the tech community. They undertook all project planning, from timelines to document creation and advertising, working to the highest standards, as a valued and expert partner.

Global Resourcing accessed their extensive network of digital leadership professionals, conducting market mapping to develop a targeted approach. This included their national Women-In-Tech network and a proactive approach to encouraging applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and other under-represented groups to ensure diversity within the candidate pool.

A successful campaign

Despite the role being based on the South Coast, the campaign generated 444 initial expressions of interest from a diverse cross section of industry professionals. This resulted in 122 full applications, of which 12 were taken through to the first interview stage. 

These interviews were conducted by Global Resourcing on-site at MCA, and 6 candidates with a 50/50 gender split were then invited to a panel interview. Individual leadership assessments were conducted to ensure that MCA could be confident in their final decision. 

The successful candidate was appointed from the private sector and has taken up their new position with MCA. Another candidate who applied under the Disability Confidence Scheme was offered an alternative role.

The campaign was completed in 9 weeks, which is a very swift turnaround for a crucial and dynamic leadership role within an exciting and innovative organisation.

The success and speed of this appointment has led MCA to use the framework again to fill a band 6 post.

Matthew Briggs, Director of Human Resources, Estates and Health and Safety at MCA said:

We have worked very closely with Global Resourcing over the last year to identify, attract and ultimately recruit a number of important senior and specialist roles. Their flexibility, positive attitude and efforts to understand our business and specific requirements have resulted in some great staff being recruited, and a much better marketplace brand for MCA.

You have the power to make better recruitment decisions

To find out how the CCS Permanent Recruitment Solutions framework can help you with your vacancies visit the framework web page.

For further advice and guidance please complete this short online form, email us or call us on 0345 410 2222.

Update to our online catalogue for technology products

An updated Technology Products online catalogue is now available on the Purchasing Platform. 

The catalogue gives you access to a range of IT hardware and software products through the new Technology Online Purchasing Content framework. This will replace the Technology Products 2 framework lot 6 catalogue when it expires on 31 October 2021. Until then, products will be available from suppliers on both frameworks. 

It has been designed to make it easy for you to make smaller or one-off purchases, and complements Technology Products and Associated Services. This means that whether you simply need to buy a memory stick or the components of an entire corporate ICT infrastructure, the catalogue is the ideal route to market. Products bought through the catalogue are off-the-shelf and come with a minimum warranty of 90 days. 

If you would like to see how the catalogue works, you can watch our short video on how to use the Purchasing Platform. 

If you are already registered on the platform, simply login to view the latest products available through the catalogue. 

If you do not have login details already, you will need to register as a buyer, which is a simple and quick process.For more information or to speak to a member of our team, please complete our form.

Local authorities, collate your IT requirements and save

In 2016, we ran a national further competition for IT hardware (EA16) using our Technology Products framework. The authorities that took part saved up to 44%. The savings were measured against a combination of current prices and independent third party benchmarks. 

Technology Products has now expired and been replaced by Technology Products and Associated Services (RM6068). Contracts put in place under the aggregation are also  due to expire very soon. 

The 34 authorities that took part in 2016 have decided to collate their requirements once again, and open the opportunity up to other local authorities so they too can benefit.

If you have current IT hardware requirements  why not let the team at CCS  take care of the process and find you the best possible deal?

Our approach

The aggregation will take an eAuction* approach, using web-based software so that potential suppliers can compete online, in real time, to provide the best possible prices for the goods/services under auction. 

To take part you will need to agree to purchase the same minimum technical specification of goods as all the other authorities taking part. Additional services including imaging, asset tagging, delivery and warranty options, as well as new services that are needed to cover the new homeworking requirements will also be available. 

Variances to technical specifications which cannot be included in the core specification can be addressed by the inclusion of optional upgrades and downgrades to meet your specific needs. 

The aggregation will use lot 1 of our Technology Products and Associated Services (RM6068) framework, and only suppliers that can fully meet the stringent qualitative requirements will take part in the eAuction. 

You will be able to place orders under the contract with the successful supplier over a 2 year period.

Get involved

Customer requirements will need to be submitted by January 2021. The procurement will be run in February/March 2021 with the eAuction  taking place in May 2021. Finally, customers should expect the final award to take place in June/July 2021.

To find out more about getting involved, please contact us by completing our form and quoting ‘EA21 IT hardware aggregation’’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

How aggregations work

National aggregated further competitions are a tried and tested approach which have achieved significant savings for our customers.

As a fully managed service funded by CCS, we will draft all documentation, build the specification and run the procurement for you. 

You just need to complete a form to express your interest, provide the final volume of services you need before we go to market and sign a contract with the successful supplier.

To find out about all our current and future opportunities, please visit the aggregation page on our website. 

*An electronic auction (eAuction) is a procurement tool that uses web-based software to allow potential suppliers to compete online, in real time, to provide prices for the goods/services under auction.

New streamlined service for the recruitment of clinical and healthcare staff

The new Clinical and Healthcare Staffing framework from NHS Workforce Alliance offers trusts support in the recruitment of temporary clinical and healthcare staffing services through a single framework.

Designed to limit confusion in the market and create a streamlined process, it is an expansion of the Collaborative Procurement Partnership (CPP) National Clinical Staffing and Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Multidisciplinary Temporary Healthcare Personnel frameworks. Both these frameworks are due to expire in February 2021.

Andrew Mumby, Workforce Director for NHS London Procurement Partnership, which led on the framework launch on behalf of the NHS Workforce Alliance, said:

This is a succinct framework offering which is endorsed by NHS England and NHS Improvement. All medical and healthcare services are in one place, meaning we can offer one set of rate cards and terms and conditions – and also ensure that workers are provided to trusts having completed all the appropriate checks.

Categories available through the framework include emergency services, social healthcare and community, medical and dental, allied health professions and health science workers.

If your trust is currently using the CPP or CCS framework, you can ask to move to the new framework by completing an access agreement. A series of webinars for trusts and suppliers will also be announced before the end of 2020.

Full framework information, including lot details and awarded suppliers, is available on the NHS Workforce Alliance website.

Contact CCS or your relevant regional procurement hub for more information:

Support with COVID-19 post event assurance planning

What are post event assurance plans?

To support the public sector the Government has published COVID-19 post event assurance guidance that sets out the principles for effective fraud and error control, along with recovery of any irregular payments. The guidance suggests that public bodies can reduce the threat of widespread fraud by integrating low-friction controls into payments where possible, and carrying out post event assurance work.

Fraud and error can be identified by using analytics to compare consumer details with data assets provided by credit reference agencies and other data providers. This process involves the analysis and enrichment of financial, residency, contact and socio-demographic data. It can be used to highlight where there are indicators of fraud or error based on the criteria set by the grant administering body. These, and similar data sources can also be used to maximise recoveries by segmenting customers with debts and offering bespoke contact strategies to maximise returns. As part of the segmentation process collectability, affordability and vulnerability is assessed before placing the portfolio with debt collection agencies (DCAs).

How can we help you?

We have a number of agreements that can assist you with your PEA planning, including Debt Management Services (RM6208) and Spend Analysis and Recovery Services 2 (RM3820). These agreements are available to be awarded directly, at pace, whilst ensuring a high quality solution for departments, such as:

  • fraud and error solutions
  • data and analytics solutions
  • audit and recovery of departmental spend
  • debt recovery, including standard debt collection, litigation and enforcement solutions

For more information on how these solutions could support you, please contact  info@crowncommercial.gov.uk, or call 0345 410 2222.

Supporting the NHS COVID-19 response with temporary accommodation and other travel services

Crown Commercial Service travel agreements are available to support the NHS response to COVID-19 for NHS staff, key workers and other impacted communities to access secure accommodation at hotels and other accommodation venues, together with any additional travel service.

Agreements available: 

RM6016 – Public Sector Travel and Venues Solutions: lot 4 and lot 5, more information available in this link. 

RM6164 – Public Sector Global Travel and Venue Solutions: lot B, more information available in this link.

If previously you have used the process delivered by NHS England, NHS Improvement and Crown commercial Service, supported by Calder Conferences and Corporate Travel Management Limited (CTM), and would like to retain continuity of the services provided by these suppliers. Please contact the suppliers directly to enable your own contract and ensure service provision during any COVID-19 response requirement. 

We inform you that the process previously provided, available in this link, will remain in place for urgent requests and its recommended to the NHS Trust to enable your own contact with a supplier so that the service can be customised to your needs.

CCS NHS Office Solutions becomes the first Tower to be awarded a 4th year-long extension by NHS Supply chain

In October 2017, Crown Commercial Service was awarded the contract to manage Tower 9 as part of the Department of Health Procurement Transformation Programme. 

The original contract was for 3 years with the option to apply for a first extension period of 12 months.

Following a recent extension application, Supply Chain Coordination Ltd (SCCL) confirmed that Crown Commercial Service has been awarded a 4th year-long extension, running until October 2021. 

We are delighted to be given the opportunity to realise the benefits of the work that has been undertaken during the last 3 years, while striving to achieve more in the future.

The five areas within the category will remain as:

  • Office Supplies
  • Office Furniture
  • Batteries and Torches
  • Patient ID wristbands
  • NHS Printed Stationery 

There are currently over 13,000 products available within the category, which are under constant review. 

CCS is happy to continue to support NHS Supply Chain to deliver solutions and savings to the NHS for another year.  We aim to provide further choice, sustainable and value for money options within the Office Solutions category.

Richard Denney – Corporate Pillar Director, Crown Commercial Service

While remaining focused on delivery, during the coming year the Tower 9 team will turn their attention towards planning and innovating 2 key areas that are due for renewal – Office Supplies and Office Furniture.  

Both of these areas have been impacted by coronavirus and will evolve accordingly.  Analysis is underway to determine if this impact will be long-term, but antimicrobial furniture and screens are currently trending, along with technology products to support those staff continuing to work at home and are therefore consuming less traditional stationery products. 

The intent for the new product areas is to increase choice and value while remaining compliant and sustainable. 

Shape the future

Now is a critical time for customers to engage with the category’s market analysis to influence and co-design each scope to drive growth and savings opportunities while ensuring customer requirements are met.  Sustainable options will be prioritised in all of the product areas.

Additional new areas of innovation under consideration to enhance the category offering include:

  • Managed Print Services
  • Hybrid Mail
  • Document Storage
  • Children’s/outdoor furniture

The new Batteries and Torches framework is also due to go live in April 2021.  This framework has recently expanded to include associated facilities management consumables, such as light bulbs, tools and additional medical batteries.

Please contact us if you would be willing to contribute to the above procurement strategies or require any further information.