NPS Newsletter - June 2017

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nationalprocurementservice@wales.gsi.gov.uk

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June 2017

NPS news title

Contents

1. News

2. Current and upcoming activity by category

1. News


Chair of NPS Board to retire

Steven Morgan, is to retire as the Chair of the NPS Board. Steven Morgan has chaired the NPS Board, since he was appointed in February 2014 through the public appointments process.

The NPS Board was established to provide strategic direction and support to the Director of the NPS and to ensure that the NPS is an effective vehicle to deliver collaborative procurement arrangements that provide value for money to the Welsh public sector - meeting customer needs and embracing Ministerial procurement policy; and to take responsibility for the successful partnership working between the NPS and each public sector in Wales.

 

Steven will be to retiring from his post as Commercial Director, Ministry of Defence in July and this coincides with the end of his tenure as Chair of NPS Board.

 

The current vice Chair, Neil Frow, will take the responsibility of the Chair of the Board.


Have you seen our 2015/16 Annual Report?

The NPS 2015/16 Annual report is available on our website. If you would like to see it, please visit: http://gov.wales/docs/nps/170510-annual-report-en.pdf


phone

New telephone numbers for NPS

Don’t forget that earlier this year, NPS staff transferred to new 03000 telephone numbers. We have updated the electronic NPS Contacts Directory to reflect this.
 
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
 
Alternatively, please contact NPSCommunications@wales.gsi.gov.uk to request a copy.


List of Live Frameworks

The list of NPS Frameworks available for use has been updated to reflect recently awarded frameworks. It can be found on our website.

 


Procurex 2017


We have already started planning Procurex 2017 which will take place in the Motor Point Arena on 9 November.

With much more to be confirmed, the day will be structured around the four cross cutting strategies  in the Welsh Government’s Taking Wales Forward commitments. These are, Prosperous and Secure, Healthy and Active, Ambitious and Learning and, United and Connected.

You can find out more about Procurex Wales here and you can view last year’s Procurex Wales event here.



2. 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 and Facilities Management

Construction, Facilities Management and Utilities

Frameworks due to be awarded

NPS Provision of Maintenance and Installation of Passenger, Goods and Domestic Stair Lifts, is due for award on 1 August 2017.  Framework Guidance will be available on Sell2Wales after the go live date.

Working to get the best prices for customers

In the January 2017 NPS Newsletter we advised you that the NPS were in receipt of price variation requests for the General Building Materials framework for the 6 February 2017 second anniversary of the framework.

The negotiations on your behalf have been completed. Amidst challenging times due to currency fluctuations, we have successfully agreed to delays to implementation of price increases and also reductions to the original price increases requested.

Revised framework catalogues with details of the revised pricing and implementation dates are now available on the Sell2Wales website here:

Updates

  • The NPS Provision of Highway Lighting Materials tender closed on 16 June.
  • Accommodation Furniture Solutions Ltd on the NPS Provision of Furniture Solutions framework (NPS-CFM-0006-14) has ceased trading.  An amended supplier list and guidance has been uploaded to Sell2Wales for customer organisations. 
  • We are sorry to announce the removal of Boiler Plant Maintenance (Glamorgan) from their Facilities Management Phase 2 - Mechanical Maintenance Framework (NPS-CFM-0042-16).  The Managing Director and owner of the business retired and the business subsequently closed.  An amended supplier list and guidance has been uploaded to Sell2Wales for Customer organisations.


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

 


Corporate and Business Support Services

Updates

Whilst we finalise the evaluation of the new Media Framework, to ensure we have continued service we have extended the Media Agency Framework until the 31 July 2017. This has been formally agreed with 8 of the 9 Suppliers on the current arrangement. Due the volume of response received, we have also moved the Go-live date of the Framework to the 17 July 2017.

Contact: NPSCorporateServices@wales.gsi.gov.uk


Fleet and Transport


Vehicle Hire II – was awarded on 31 May 2017. The initial term of the contract will be for 2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years in multiples not exceeding 12 months. More details will be available on Sell2Wales.

Updates

  • Price Increases have been proposed by ATS on the Tyres framework following increases from their manufacturers.  We have worked hard with the supplier to reduce the impact of this on our customers and have negotiated lower % increases. Full details will be placed on Sell2Wales and circulated to Fleet Managers. NPS continue to work closely with the ATS to identify equivalent brands of the same standard and quality in order to further mitigate the price increase. ATS Dedicated Account Manager will also work closely with individual customers to ensure the best commercial outcome possible.  Prices increased from 1 June 2017.
  • NPS Fleet are seeking feedback via a survey on how Welsh Public Sector Organisations have, or are looking to adopt, low carbon or alternative fuels to their fleet vehicles.  To complete  the survey please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J23Y9KL
  • We are working with Fleet Managers to develop the future framework procurement pipeline.  We are currently setting up working groups to look at the standardisation of vehicle specifications and whole life costing models. Any Customer who would like to get involved should contact the NPS fleet mailbox:


Contact: NPSFleet@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Food

Contract award notices

The NPS tender for Fresh Food and Beverages (including Frozen Meat) is now live and can be accessed through the eTender Wales system. The contract notice that describes the requirement has been published on sell2wales. Bidders must submit their tenders through eTender Wales and if not already done so will need to register at: https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml 

Supporting Suppliers to Tender

To raise bidders awareness of the expectations of the tendering process the,  NPS Food team have recently run four Bidder Information Events across Wales. These aimed to support bidders understanding of How To Tender.  The event materials materials will be available shortly to all bidders through eTender Wales.

Outcome Reports Published

The Outcome Reports for the March and April Food Category Forum Groups have been published on Sell2Wales 

Contact: NPSFood@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Food NPS

Information and Communications Technology

 

New Frameworks coming soon:

 

1) Digital Services Framework

We are currently scoping an all-Wales Digital Services Framework, covering a broad spectrum of digital services and tools, together with providing a route to market for innovative and bespoke solutions.  We have held the initial Category Forum to discuss the scope of the Agreement, however we are eager to obtain further in-put, to ensure that Customer requirements are considered in the scoping of the Agreement. Therefore we would be grateful if you could spare the time to complete the attached brief survey.

 

The survey should only take 2 – 3 minutes to complete and will help us form an agreement that will meet the needs of the Welsh Public Sector: Welsh Version; English Version

 

2) PSBA Additional Services

 

This is looking at flexible working solutions; telephony services; and connectivity to compliment the current PSBA offerings.

 

3) Technology Consulting

 

Providing access to buy all of your technical consultancy support.

 

We are looking to engage with customers across Wales and discuss all 3 pipeline areas with you – we want to understand your priorities in these areas so that we can consider them when designing our strategies. Please email us if you would like to input: NPSICTCategoryTeam@wales.gsi.gov.uk  

 

Existing NPS Digital and ICT Frameworks

  • Information Technology Products and Services (ITPS) – 12 lots covering hardware, software and integrated solutions.
  • Structured Cabling – please don’t forget this when commissioning new buildings, refurbishments and kit refreshers (details are also available on the construction and facilities management NPS category area)
  • Information Assurance Services (IAS)
  • Multi Functional Devices and Print
  • Digitisation, Storage and Disposal (DS&D)

More detailed guidance about each framework can be found on Sell2wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/ContractsAndResources/Info.aspx

 

Events

 

We will be at Digital Wales 2017 in September and we are working closely with the organising team to ensure we make the most of the event for both our suppliers and customers.

 

Computacenter will present its "Digital Me Strategy - The Digital Workplace Revolution in Public Sector" on 5 July at the Liberty Stadium. Presentations from Citrix, Veritas and Microsoft
will give attendees a practical view of the typical challenges; solutions to overcome these; and benefits of digitising your workforce. For more information or to register visit their website:

http://www.computacenter.com/uk/events/digital-workplace-in-the-public-sector-forum

 

Save the date "This is Digital" - A festival for the innovators, the industry, the investors, takes place on the 18-19 September at the Tramshed Tech in Cardiff. To register to attend, please visit http://digital-festival.co.uk/

 

Contact: NPSICTCategoryTeam@wales.gsi.gov.uk


People Services

People Services

Frameworks due to be awarded

1) The Supply Of High Visibility, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Uniforms, Workwear and Leisurewear is expected to be awarded during the week of 3 July

2) Media Buying, Integrated Marketing Campaigns and Public Relations Framework is expected to be awarded during the week of 17 July.


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

     


    Professional Services

    New Frameworks

    The Legal Services by Barristers Panel Agreement is now available for the Welsh public sector to use.  The Agreement offers access to pre-approved Barristers across twenty-four disciplines similar to those of the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF) classifications.  The full list of Barristers; contact details; and the disciplines covered is available within the Funnelling Tool accessible on sell2wales

     

    This is an open-ended Panel Agreement and will remain open to allow for new entrants throughout its lifecycle.  If you or your legal teams require any assistance in using this agreement or wish to arrange a demonstration of the funnelling tool, please email us.

     

    Updates

    1) We were delighted to speak at the Association of Local Authority Risk Managers (ALARM) Wales seminar in Llandrindod Wells in April. At the event we were able to share how the Insurance Dynamic Purchasing System operated and how organisations could draw support from the associated Insurance Support Services framework.

     

    A vibrant Q and A session followed where it was clear that a number of organisations need to renew premiums from April 2018. We would be happy to support organisations in undertaking procurement activity through the framework and requested that organisations contact them as soon as possible with their planned requirements.

     

    2) Suppliers on the NPS Legal Services by Solicitors framework are offering a wide range of legal  training and briefing events. NPS will shortly be updating the list of upcoming events but in the meantime the current schedule can be found online here:


    Contact: NPSProfessionalServices@wales.gsi.gov.uk



    Iaith Gymraeg

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

     

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