1. News
Have your say on our
newsletter!
We
are keen to hear your views on the National
Procurement Service newsletter and Value Wales bulletin.
Your
feedback is valued and vitally important in developing and improving our future
communications.
In
order to gather your opinions, we have created the following short, anonymous
survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VJ635JS
Please
take a few moments to complete the survey on the link above, by Friday 24 February. We thank you in advance for your feedback.
New telephone numbers for NPS
We wish to inform you that a number of NPS staff have recently transferred to new 03000 telephone numbers. We have updated the electronic NPS Contacts Directory to reflect this and
copies are now available on request.
The Directory provides a breakdown of NPS staff working across the seven
categories, along with details of their specific areas of work. It has been designed
to assist customers in contacting NPS with enquiries.
The Contacts Directory is available for customers on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=13360&Path=1745-13360
Alternatively, please contact NPSCommunications@wales.gsi.gov.uk to
request a copy.
IR35
Intermediaries Legislation
The
2016 Autumn Statement confirmed the UK Governments plans to reform
Intermediaries Legislation (IR35) in April 2017. There are new measures being
introduced to ensure those in direct receipt of public funds pay the correct
level of tax and NIC’s, and this will have an impact on the hire of workers who
operate through an intermediary, such as their own limited company (i.e. a
Personal Service Company). This will place less responsibility on the worker to
pay the correct levels of tax, and more responsibility on the engaging body
(hiring agency and public sector employer).
An
online tool is under development to help employers establish whether or not the
intermediaries rules need to be applied to individual temporary contracts. The
NPS are also working with suppliers on the Agency Workers framework to ensure
customers remain compliant with this legislation.
Value
Wales will issue a Procurement Advice Note (PAN) with further guidance over the
coming months. In the interim, for those customers using the NPS Managed
Service for the Provision of Agency Workers framework, your supplier will be
able to provide you with further information and advice on these changes.
Alternatively, please contact the team to discuss: NPSPeopleServices&Utilities@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Enquiries
specific to the legislation changes can be directed to ir35@hmrc.gov.uk
or contact the HMRC helpline on phone 0300 123 2326 for further information.
Meet the Buyer events
The NPS will be attending the upcoming Rhondda Cynon Taf Meet the Buyer event at Llantrisant Leisure Centre, on Friday 3 March 2017 between 10am - 3pm.
The event, in its ninth year, is organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf
Council’s Procurement Service. The event brings together key businesses, public
sector buying organisations and industry experts to offer advice, support and a
valuable networking opportunity.
This year, RCT Council are also organising two outreach events in the Cynon and Rhondda regions of RCT as follows:
- Cynon event - Thursday 9 March 2017 at the Valleys Innovation Centre between 2.30pm - 6.30pm
- Rhondda event - Tuesday 14 March 2017 at Ystrad Sports Centre between 2.30pm - 6.30pm
Businesses looking to network and explore the potential to secure new contracts can sign-up to attend the events, by contacting Annaleise Eaves at RCT Council on: Annaleise.Eaves@rctcbc.gov.uk
2. Forward Look
To ensure we give 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.
Forward Look at events:
3. Current and upcoming activity by category
There are a number of 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, Facilities Management and Utilities
Prior Information Notices
Upcoming Contract Notices
- Provision of Highway Lighting Materials - due to be issued late February.
Updates
- Rock Salt (NPS-CFM-0018-15) and Cleaning & Janitorial Materials (NPS-CFM-0026-15) - applications for price amendments on these frameworks have been received and now accepted. All price amendments have now been included within the Basware catalogues and updated pricing schedules are available on Sell2Wales. Any updates issued to individual customer catalogues will be implemented by the supplier. Please contact the mailbox below for further information.
- General Building Materials (NPS-CFM-0005-14) and Electrical Heating and Plumbing Materials (NPS-CFM-0005-14) - price amendments are being considered for these frameworks. Customers will be advised of any amendments once finalised.
Contact: NPSConstruction&FM@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Corporate and Business Support Services
Contract Award Notices
- All Wales Framework for Stationery and Copier Paper - this framework has been awarded and is now available for use. Customer guidance and pricing information is available on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=13084&Path=11755-13081-13084
Launch events have been arranged in February and March in South Wales (16 February 2017) and North Wales (10 March 2017), to enable customers to meet with the successful provider and find out what's on offer. If you are interested in attending one of these events, please contact the mailbox below for further information.
Category Forum Group Outcome Reports
Updates
- Supply of Office Copier, Digital Printing and Offset Paper (Lot 2) - with the initial two year term of this arrangement ending on 18 January 2017, the NPS have invoked the first of two twelve month extension periods. This period will run from 19 January 2017 to 18 January 2018.
Sell2Wales and Basware are being updated with pricing and guidance, and specific communication relating to this extension has been issued to customers. If you have any queries or require further information, please contact the mailbox below.
Contact: NPSCorporateServices@wales.gsi.gov.uk
 Fleet and Transport
Contract Award Notices
Upcoming Contract Notices
- Vehicle Hire II (scope of which includes Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles (below 3.5T GVW) & Specialist Vehicles (above 3.5T GVW) - due to be issued early February. The Options Appraisal has been approved by Delivery Group out of committee and the Category Forum Group (CFG) has met to agree the tender documentation. The re-drafted tender documentation will be issued to CFG members for final approval.
Updates
- Vehicle Spares - a framework launch event was held in Builth Wells on 18 January 2017. This provided an opportunity for customers to meet with suppliers to get an understanding of how the framework will operate. The event was well attended with representation from across the Welsh public sector. For further information on how to engage with this framework please contact the mailbox below.
- Liquid Fuels - price review meetings with incumbent suppliers are scheduled for late February, in advance of the first anniversary of the agreement. Revised pricing is due to come into effect in April 2017.
- Supply of Tyres and Associated Services - mini-competitions have been successfully completed for Powys County Council and Gwynedd County Council. Commercial responses are now being benchmarked to establish savings.
- Fuel Cards - please note there has been a change in personnel at UK Fuels and there is now a new account manager for the Welsh public sector. The customer guidance has been updated with new contact details on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=10401&Path=11759-10401
- 'Trackers' and 'Telematics' - there is scope for negotiation on prices for licences airtime and maintenance if stakeholders provide the information. If any customer has interest in pursuing this collectively please contact the mailbox below.
- NPS Fleet Annual Survey - in order to reach the widest possible customer base, we have re-opened the Fleet Annual Survey. Any customer that has not previously responded, please contact the team on the mailbox below to obtain a copy. This will help forecast the future NPS pipeline of work and identify priority areas for the Welsh public sector.
Contact: NPSFleet@wales.gsi.gov.uk
|
Food
Upcoming Contract Notices
Updates
- Launch events - successful launch events for customers have taken place following the award of the framework agreements for 'Supply and Distribution of Prepared Sandwiches and Sandwich Fillings' and 'Supply and Distribution of Frozen Plated Meals, Frozen Texture Modified Meals and Frozen Soup'. Customer guidance can be found on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=6480&Path=6480
Please contact the Food mailbox below if you require assistance on how to use the framework.
- The NPS Food category team have recently engaged with the Local Authority and NHS Catering Forums, to discuss the content of the forthcoming tenders and to plan decision making workshops that will inform the forthcoming tenders. The team also met with the Higher Education Catering Group on 24 January to provide information and to receive feedback on the tenders.
- Market engagement events - following the publication of Prior Information Notices in November, and discussions with Category Forum Group members, the NPS Food category team has contacted and invited circa 600 potential providers for upcoming frameworks to our market engagement events.
 |
Food market engagement event in Cardiff
Future market engagement events will be held on:
- 31 January in Llandrindod Wells
- 7 February in Carmarthen
Please contact the Food mailbox below for further information.
Contact: NPSFood@wales.gsi.gov.uk
 Information and Communications Technology
Prior Information Notices
Contract Award Notices
- Supply of Multifunctional Devices and Associated Goods and Services - this framework is now live and available for use. Customer guidance will be uploaded to Sell2Wales shortly.
- Digitisation, Storage and Disposal - this framework is now live and available for use. Customer guidance will be uploaded to Sell2Wales shortly.
Updates
- IT Products and Services (ITPS) Framework - the ICT category team are about to review the ITPS framework, which has just had its one year anniversary. We would welcome your views and experiences to date. Following the review, we will consider whether to extend the framework beyond its initial two year period. To provide feedback on the framework. please contact the ICT mailbox below.
- Meet the Buyer/Supplier events - We are actively planning the second set of these events for North and South Wales, following our initial events in April 2016. These are currently planned, subject to venue availability, for mid 2017. Over the coming months we will be asking for any suggestions or ideas that you may have to help make this year's events a success.
- IT Products and Services (ITPS)
- We have been working closely with ITPS framework suppliers, to ensure supplier catalogues are available and up to date. ITPS double punch-out catalogues are now available via Basware. Customers requiring access to the e-catalogues will need to add individual supplier catalogues in the 'View' section of Basware's Product Manager.
- Structured Cabling Services - this framework offers a compliant route to market for a range of network, telecom backbone and fibre optic cabling goods and services. Please remember to consider use of this framework when planning any construction or refurbishment projects. Customer guidance is available on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=10720&Path=11764-10720
- All Wales Telephony Framework (fixed line, VoIP, Mobile and Unified Comms) - scoping has commenced. If you wish to be involved in the process or would like further information, please contact the ICT mailbox below.
Contact: NPSICTCategoryTeam@wales.gsi.gov.uk
|
People Services
Contract Award Notices
- Clinical Waste and Hospital Refuse Bags - this framework has been awarded and is due to go live in late February. Customer guidance, commcercial schedules and catalogues are currently being produced in readiness for the go-live date. A single supplier has been appointed having passed all product testing and technical evaluation, with savings of 18% being achieved against existing pricing. If you require any further information at this stage, please contact the People Services mailbox below.
Updates
- Waste Disposal Bags - a number of customers have now undertaken mini-competitions and direct awards under the framework, and are accessing the quality assured products and financial savings available under this arrangement. If you require any information or support in utilising this framework, please contact the People Services mailbox below.
- Corporate Training, Learning & Development Services - the NPS wishes to inform customers that WEA YMCA Cymru has announced a new trading name: Addysg Oedolion Cymru / Adult Learning Wales. The organisation is looking forward to a formal launch in 2017, details of which will be announced by the organisation nearer the date.
-
Human Resources Event - the People Services team recently held a HR event in Waterton Centre, Bridgend. This event specifically focued on the following NPS frameworks, all aimed at HR and Finance professionals:
- Agency Staff
- Occupational Health
- Business Travel and Accommodation
- Employee Benefits
 |
NPS Human Resources event - Waterton Centre
The event gave customers an opportunity to meet with a range of framework suppliers. Both customers and suppliers have provided positive feedback, and we are currently arranging a similar event to be held in North Wales. Details will follow shortly, and if you require further information, please contact the mailbox below.
Contact: NPSPeopleServices&Utilities@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Professional Services
Contract Notices
Upcoming Contract Notices
- Home Energy Efficiency Improvements and Advice, Warm Wales Programme - the Contract Notice for Phase 1, the Area based scheme manager frameworks, is due to be issued during February 2017. This will be followed by the Contract Notice for Phase 2, the demand led scheme manager.
Updates
- Legal Services by Barristers - there has been a tremendous respose from the market with over 400 submissions received. With such a high response, the assessment of applications is taking a little longer than scheduled, but the framework is due to go live in February.
- Construction Consultancy (Property Framework) - this framework has been extended for a further 12 months to December 2017. Updated pricing information and customer guidance is available on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=8020&Path=11752-7400-8020
- Construction Consultancy Frameworks - the second meeting of the Management Panel for these frameworks is scheduled for 1 February in Newtown, Powys. The group is formed of key customers with a remit to review performance of the agreements, share best practice and consider future arrangements. The group remains open to new members with an interest in these frameworks. If you would like to participate, please contact the Professional Services mailbox below.
- Legal Training - suppliers on our Legal Services by Solicitors framework are offering a wide range of training and briefing events. NPS will be updating the list of upcoming events and schedules, as and when received from legal service providers. The current schedule can be found online here.
Contact: NPSProfessionalServices@wales.gsi.gov.uk
4. Savings
NPS is reporting a 3.50% savings rate this financial year against total spend through Contracts and Framework Agreements under management. This includes on-boarded agreements.
The overall total savings equate to £3,066,973 from 1 April 2016 – 30 November 2016.
If you require further clarification of these savings, please contact your NPS Sector Representative or your Head of Procurement.
5. NPS staff changes
NPS has recently appointed Jessica Bearman as the new Head of Food category.
Paul Griffiths has been appointed as interim Head of Category Management.
|
