NPS Newsletter - November 2015

www.nps.gov.wales

tel 0300 7900 170

nationalprocurementservice@wales.gsi.gov.uk

gcc nps news banner image

November 2015

NPS news title

Contents

1. Director’s foreword 

2. You said. We listened

3. Programme of work

4. News

5. Forward Look

6. Current and upcoming activity 

7. Savings

8. Focus on

2. You said. We listened

Please see below a selection of issues raised at July's regional events and how we are working to address these over the coming months:


Flip chart meeting
© Crown copyright (2014) Visit Wales

 


You said: "We don't always know when Category Forum Group (CFG) meetings are taking place and who the CFG members are. Decisions from CFGs are not explained. This information needs to be in one place and easily found"

Our response: "All CFG dates are publicised in the NPS Newsletter. In addition we have now implemented a system where CFG outcome reports are published on Sell2Wales summarising who attended and the key decisions made."

 

 

You said: "If a CFG request a delay, can the Pipeline move?"

Our response: "It has been agreed that a Pipeline can move if proposed by the CFG and sanctioned by the NPS Delivery Group. We believe this is working well, as a CFG recently proposed a delay and this was agreed by the NPS Delivery Group."

 

 

You said: "There is a lack of circulation of dates of planned events."

Our response: "We are using the NPS Newsletter to improve circulation of planned events. There is a new section called 'Forward Look' below to assist with this.


3. Programme of work

Please find a list of current NPS Frameworks available for use on the NPS website.

Since October, NPS has awarded the following contracts:


Programme of work November


The Business Travel and Accommodation Solutions Framework commenced on 12 October 2015. Customers can directly award to the Lot 1 Travel Management Company without the need to run any further competition. CTM Travel Ltd will provide an online and offline booking and research service for all UK and International business travel, and associated services.


All thirteen suppliers on Lot 2 Conference Facilities are Welsh small and medium enterprises.


NPS will be arranging customer launch events for stakeholders to meet CTM Travel Ltd. Please contact NPSPeopleServices&Utilities@wales.gsi.gov.uk for further information.


4. News


Agency Workers Supplier Event


Agency Workers supplier event

To ensure we engage with you, we regularly host buyer and/or supplier events across Wales.

 

The NPS People Services category team recently held a supplier event in mid Wales, to support the NPS Managed Service for the Provision of Agency Workers Framework which commenced on 8 April 2015. All seven framework providers were present, and SMEs from across Wales were encouraged to attend to understand the tier opportunities that are available to them. The event, held in conjunction with Business Wales, was attended by over 30 smaller providers of agency staff.

 

The NPS and their framework providers will rely heavily on the ability of these Welsh SMEs to support the framework via their provision of technical and regional expertise. The event was deemed a success by framework providers and SMEs alike, and the NPS will be keen to run further events to supplement regional customer awards over the coming months.


If you have any feedback or questions please contact us on NPSPeopleServices&Utilities@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Occupational Health and Associated Services Framework


The previous all Wales contract for the Employee Assistance Programme has now expired and the new provider through the NPS Occupational Health and Associated Services Framework is Care First. The first price break has already been hit with over 30,000 public sector employees now able to access the service, resulting in a further price reduction of 11% for all Welsh public sector organisations. There are 2 levels of service available on the framework; Core and Enhanced. Please find further details on the NPS website.


From Procurement Behaviours to Behavioural Procurement 


The CIPS Gloucester Branch invites you to attend a talk with Professor Mike Lewis, a Supply Strategy specialist at Bath University who is interested in the psychological aspects of procurement’s relationships. There will be also be an opportunity to network with P&SC peers upon arrival with Christmas nibbles and coffee/teas offered to start the seasonal event!


“For all our investments in technology and process, human beings remain central to the functioning of procurement, shaping the way systems work and how they perform. A great deal of thought and analysis has been invested in understanding the way that procurement leaders should behave but our understanding of why they behave in the way they do is less developed.


In recent years many other functional disciplines, including finance, marketing and operations, have begun to incorporate insights from the psychological and brain sciences and we will argue that it is time that procurement does the same. What might a “behavioural procurement” look like and what would be some of the key personal and organizational value-adds of such a perspective?”


Date:

Wednesday 02 December 2015, 18:30pm

Venue:

UCAS (next to racecourse), Cheltenham

Fee:

Members - £0.00 per person

Non-members - £0.00 per person


Register here


eTrading Wales - Procserve Webinars

 

Our eTrading Wales partners Procserve will be running the following Webinars for suppliers over the coming months. The service is free of charge to suppliers and will offer an overview of the system, advice and support, and present the benefits of eTrading.

 

Interested suppliers can register here for individual sessions.

 

25 November 2015

13:30 - 14:00 Bitesize Webcast - How to provide content on Procserve


9 December 2015

13:15 - 14:15 Welcome Webcast 

 


5. Forward Look

To ensure we give both buyers and suppliers as much advance notice of NPS events as possible, we have created the following Forward Look table. Please contact the relevant category mailbox for further information, and remember to keep an eye on the NPS Twitter and LinkedIn pages and Sell2Wales for event announcements.


Supplier Events

Forward Look suppliers


Register for the Food event on Wednesday 11 November here


Buyer Events

Forward Look Buyers

 


For further information on the above events, please contact the corresponding mailbox below:


Construction and Facilities Management

Corporate and Business Support Services

Fleet and Transport

Food

People Services and Utilities

Professional Services


6. Current and upcoming activity by category


There are a number of Prior Information Notices and Contract Notices listed below. All will be advertised through Sell2Wales, however please share this information with as many suppliers as possible if you think they would be interested.

If you would like further information, please contact the relevant team by e-mail.


Construction and Facilities Management 

Construction and Facilities Management


Prior Information Notices 


Contract Notices

 

Category Forum Groups (CFG):

  • 'Tools and Equipment', and 'Flooring, Fixtures and Fittings' - nominations have been received. If you work for a Welsh public sector organisation and are interested in participating, please contact the mailbox below.
  • Energy - The transfer of the Wales Purchasing Consortium team into NPS was completed on 1 October 2015. A CFG event is planned for 8 December and requests for participants will be made through NPS Delivery Group. This CFG will help shape the future Energy strategy and participants will complete a review of the current service offering.


Contact: NPSConstruction&FM@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Corporate and Business Support Services

Contract Notices


Contract Award Notices

  • All Wales Printing Services Framework - due to be awarded in November.


Contact: NPSCorporateServices@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Fleet and Transport

Fleet and Transport                              

Prior Information Notices 

 


Contract Award Notices

  • Supply of Tyres and Associated Services - due to be awarded in November. Tenders have been returned and are currently under evaluation. The framework will comprise of a tyre supply, fitment and repair service, together with all other related activities for Welsh public sector organisations. Further guidance will be issued on Sell2Wales.


Category Forum Groups (CFG)

  • Vehicle Spares CFG planned for November.


Call for Competition and Requirements

  • Vehicle Leasing - We are gathering requirements for an all Wales framework. If your organisation has a requirement for vehicle leasing in the next 12 months please contact the mailbox below to obtain a short questionnaire.

  • Vehicle Purchase - We are gathering requirements to aggregate spend and demand and run competition via auctions with Crown Commercial Services (CCS). If your organisation has a requirement for vehicle purchase in the next 12 months please contact the mailbox below for further information.

    These are the key dates for customers to note:

    Customer volume commitment - please let us know by Wednesday 20 January 2016.
    The Live eAuction event takes place on Thursday 25 February 2016. There is a 12 week lead time for delivery.

    We are working closely with CCS and there may be flexibility to schedule an additional event; this is dependent on your requirements and CCS availability. Please contact us.

  • Driver Licence Checking - Due to the change in licence legislation in April 2015 there is an immediate legislative requirement to undertake this for the Welsh Purchasing Consortium. If member organisations have a requirement to annually check drivers licences including Grey Fleet, please contact the mailbox below.

  • Vehicle Spares - We are currently gathering information for vehicle spares from member organisations including local authorities, if you have any requirements please contact the mailbox below.

Contact: NPSFleet@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Food


Category Forum Groups (CFG)

  • On 21 October 2015, the NPS Delivery Group considered options papers for 'Prepared Sandwiches, Sandwich Fillings and Buffet Provision' and 'Frozen Plated Meals'. The requirement will be taken forward and discussed at the Food Category Forum Group meeting in the Welsh Government Office, Bedwas, 11 November 2015. If you would like to be a Welsh public sector representative on this group, please contact the mailbox below.


Contact: NPSFood@wales.gsi.gov.uk

 

Food

Information and Communications Technology


Contract Award Notices

  • IT Products and Services - tenders have been returned and are currently under evaluation. Due to be awarded late November.


Category Forum Groups (CFG)

  • Structured Cabling Services - CFG Outcome Report is now available on Sell2Wales.
    Second CFG meeting arranged on Wednesday 11 November 2015 with a video link between Welsh Government Offices in Bedwas and Llandudno Junction.


Updates

  • Revised ICT category strategy has been shared with the NPS Delivery Group. Stakeholder engagement has commenced to inform and prioritise ICT pipeline delivery. Results will then be incorporated into the revised strategy and presented to the NPS Delivery Group.
  • IT Equipment and Associated Services - ITEAS (III) has been extended until 31 December 2015.
  • Digitisation, Storage and Disposal will be a reserved framework.

 

Contact: NPSICTCategoryTeam@wales.gsi.gov.uk


People Services

People Services and Utilities

 

Contract Award Notices 

  • Provision of Business Travel and Accommodation Solutions Framework - awarded 12 October 2015.
    Lot 1 provides a single Travel Management Company, enabling direct award and reducing timescales to engagement and implementation.
    Lot 2 provides a catalogue of Conference Facilities across geographical zones within Wales.
  • Managed Services for Employee Benefit Schemes - due to be awarded late November.


Category Forum Groups (CFG)

  • All Wales Learning and Development Corporate Training Framework - this Framework will deliver a range of suppliers responsible for all aspects of supporting and delivery of training. If you would like to be a Welsh public sector representative please contact the mailbox below.


Updates

  • All Wales Learning and Development Corporate Training Framework - we are currently progressing outstanding Scoping Questionnaire responses. Following our event on 20 October, specific events are being planned in North and South Wales over the coming months (see Forward Look section above).
  • Occupational Health and Associated Services - There is regular activity on mini-competitions for this framework. If you require any further assistance with specifications or running through eTenderWales, please contact the mailbox below.
  • Assistive Technologies and Services - the electronic catalogue is being developed with all nine suppliers for Lot 1 - Telecare & Technology Enabled Care Products and will be available on Sell2Wales and Procserve in due course.
    For Lots 2 - 4 there are two ways of making a call-off from the Framework, either by carrying out a further competition exercise or via a direct award. Direct awards may be made where it is possible to establish the most economically advantageous offer on the basis of the terms laid down in the Framework Agreement, and where ALL services required and proposed contract terms are included in the Framework Agreement and Specification. If you require any assistance with the further competitions, please contact the mailbox below.


Contact: NPSPeopleServices&utilities@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Professional Services

 

Updates

  • Construction Consultancy (Infrastructure) Phase 3 - with evaluation drawing to a close the final framework in our three phase offering of construction consultancy will be available from 1 December 2015. For information on the consultancy services available under phase 1 and phase 2 please visit Sell2Wales.
  • NPS Legal Services by Barristers Framework - work is ongoing to finalise the requirements.
  • Business Consultancy - three core areas of activity have been identified in the opening phase of this sub category; Alternative Delivery Model support, Education Consultancy and Efficiency Partner Framework. This will be presented to Delivery Group in November. If you work for a Welsh public sector organisation and are interested in participating on the Category Forum Group, please contact the mailbox below. 
  • Insurance Services - the options paper recommending the delivery of an insurance dynamic purchasing system and associated frameworks for brokerage and risk management, claims handling and insurance litigation support was approved at the Delivery Group meeting in October. Work is now ongoing with the Category Forum Group to develop the full suite of tendering documentation.


Contact: NPSProfessionalServices@wales.gsi.gov.uk


7. Savings


At present NPS is running at a 4.82% run rate on all savings against spend through Contracts and Framework Agreements under management, which includes additional contract savings negotiated and on-boarded agreements.

 

The overall total savings equate to £1,936,010, from 1st April 2015 – 31st August 2015.


If you require further clarification of these savings, please contact your NPS Sector Representative or your Head of Procurement.

 


8. Focus on

 

This month we focus on Red Dragon Flagmakers, a traditional sewn flag maker with a social conscience, operating workshops in Swansea and Somerset launched in January 2014.

Red Dragon Flagmakers logo

 

Borne out of a family company manufacturing traditional sewn flags for over 45 years, Red Dragon Flagmakers, the registered trademark of Red Dragon Manufacturing Ltd is the only flag maker in the UK incorporated and run as a social interest company. With no shareholders, all profits go back into the business towards the personal and professional development of the team of staff who are all trained in house.

 

Red Dragon Flagmakers actively support flexible working practices and recruits through strategic partners including Shaw Trust, Remploy and JCP with inclusivity and equal opportunities at the heart of their work. The company deliver skills training and opportunities to develop and succeed within the company, whatever people’s background, education or personal history. Sales enable profits which support the recruitment and rehabilitation of additional people within the local communities who are then trained for sustainable long term employment.

 

Making use of their skilled workforce and manufacturing facilities, Red Dragon Flagmakers cut, sew and finish their flags professionally, also offering textile goods manufacturing to other businesses, new product prototyping and use of supply chain and production facilities. The business also works closely with other SMEs to fulfil projects requiring the supply, maintenance and installation of flagpoles UK-wide.

 

Red Dragon Flagmakers were official suppliers to the NATO Summit in Wales 2014 for which they made all the ceremonial flags, and the business sells b2c online and to every sector of the market b2b seeking the very best in traditional sewn and quality printed flags. CEO Jo Ashburner Farr has recently been shortlisted for the Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year in this year’s Entrepreneur Wales Awards and the business also achieved Finalist of the Social Enterprise Wales 2015 awards.

 

Red Dragon Flagmakers are members of the WCVA, the Wales Co-operative Centre and Social Enterprise UK.

 

For further information please visit www.reddragonflagmakers.co.uk


Iaith Gymraeg

Os hoffech dderbyn y cylchlythwr hwn drwy'r Gymraeg, neu i ddad-danysgrifio, e-bostiwch: Bethan.Williams13@cymru.gsi.gov.uk

 

If you would like to receive this newsletter in Welsh, or to unsubscribe, please e-mail: Bethan.Williams13@wales.gsi.gov.uk