1. News
Last chance to register for Procurex
It’s less than two weeks until Wales’ Festival of Procurement, featuring Procurex Wales at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, followed by the GO Awards Wales on 9 November
. We will be on hand all day at the Welsh Government Pavilion at the heart of the exhibition floor, so please call in to meet our team who will be happy to discuss any queries you may have. This is a fantastic opportunity for buyers to understand what frameworks are available to use, and for suppliers to learn more about preparing tender submissions, and upcoming opportunities to become a supplier to the Welsh public sector.
Speakers on the day include Mark Drakeford AM, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government who will provide an overview of Welsh Government’s Programme for Procurement. This will address the need to work differently if we are collectively to achieve greater cash savings, support a more prosperous and secure economy and help our customers comply with Welsh policy and legislation.
Registration is open, and Procurex Wales is free to attend for public and third sector personnel. Don’t miss out on Wales’ premier day of procurement education and networking – register today: http://www.procurexlive.co.uk/wales/en/book-now/
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Putting the Code into Practice
The Welsh Government will be running sessions at the Procurex Wales Live event on 9 November, covering the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains.
The Code is designed to ensure that workers in public sector supply chains are employed legally and fairly, and that slavery and unethical employment practices are not tolerated.
The session will include a brief background to the Code, with the bulk of the session covering the detail of how to put its 12 commitments into practice, including some case studies. There will also be a demonstration of TISC Report https://wales.tiscreport.org/ the online tool for reporting and tracking the commitments through supply chains.
The 40-45 minute session will take place twice on the day, at 1pm and 2pm, in the Networking Zone near the Keynote Arena.
Further information on the Code of Practice can be found here: http://gov.wales/topics/improvingservices/bettervfm/code-of-practice/?lang=en
If you have any queries, please contact: Sue.Hurrell@gov.wales
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GO Awards Wales
The Welsh Government and National Procurement Service have received six nominations in the GO Awards Wales this year! The NPS People Services team, NPS Fleet team, Welsh
Government Road Safety Policy team and Welsh Government Marine Policy Team all
compete for the Go Procurement Initiative – Local Government, Welsh Government
and Housing Award. NPS Utilities is up
for the GO
Sustainable Procurement Award and Welsh Government Corporate Procurement Services are shortlisted for the GO Procurement Team of the Year Award.
A number of the NPS nominations are as a result of hard work from customers, stakeholders and Category Forum Group members. We are very grateful for all their input and support in making these procurement processes such a success.
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Live Frameworks list
The list of NPS Frameworks available for use has been updated to reflect recently awarded frameworks. It can be found on our website: http://nps.gov.wales/categories/framework-agreements/?lang=en
eSourcing/eTrading events
The eSourcing/NPS and eTrading/NPS user groups are aimed at key individuals managing eSourcing or eTrading within their organisations. They offer a forum to share knowledge and best practice, and provide feedback on the eProcurement tools used to access NPS frameworks. The first user groups took place in September and were well received. The next eSourcing event will be held on Wednesday 6 December, NHS 1 Charnwood Court, Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QZ, and will be hosted by the new Chairperson, Christine Thorne NHS NWSSP. For more information, or to join either of these groups, please contact Helen Oliver, Senior Stakeholder Manager: Helen.Oliver@gov.wales
Who's Who at NPS
The 'Who's Who at NPS' (previously Contacts Directory) has recently been updated and is now available on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=13360&Path=1745-13360
Our stakeholder engagement team are now contactable via the following mailbox: NPSEngage@gov.wales
Job Opportunities
Ceredigion County Council are advertising the following post:
Job title: Corporate Category Manager Job reference: REQ100807 Application closing date: 13/11/2017 Location: Canolfan Rheidiol, Aberystwyth Salary: £33,437 - £35,444 Contract: Permanent Hours: 37 hours per week Description: To lead, direct and coordinate sourcing activity and ensuring effective contract and supplier relationship management to maximise value for money and deliver targeted savings within the assigned category / sub-categories. Responsible for a small team, the post is key in ensuring the delivery of an effective and efficient procurement service for the Council.
Applications should be made online at the following address: https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/English/Resident/Jobs-Careers/Pages/default.aspx
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.
October Forward Look:
http://gov.wales/docs/nps/171027-forward-look-en.pdf
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
Upcoming Contract Award Notices
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Provision of Highway Lighting Materials - this framework is currently under evaluation and is due to be awarded by the end of October. Framework guidance documentation will be available on Sell2Wales following award.
Updates
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Revisions to framework guidance - a number of amendments have been made to framework information on Sell2Wales recently, including amended supplier contact lists and pricing schedules for the following frameworks:
- Cleaning Services - Cleaning and Janitorial Materials - Facilities Management Phase 1 - Managed Services - Facilities Management Phase 2 - Security Services - Facilities Management Phase 2 - Mechanical Services - Facilities Management Phase 3 - Maintenance and Installation of Passenger & Goods & Domestic Stair-lifts - Furniture Solutions.
We kindly ask customers to ensure that they have the most up to date guidance, available on Sell2Wales, before proceeding with their procurement process: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=13045&Path=13045 If customers have any queries, please contact us on the mailbox below.
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Rock Salt - please note that we have agreed a price variation with Compass Minerals as per the framework agreement. The Compass Minerals catalogues and pricing schedules on Sell2Wales have been updated:
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=7540&Path=13045-7540
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Furniture Solutions - we have received feedback from suppliers on the Furniture Solutions framework that some furniture deliveries can be difficult due to insufficient information included on purchase orders. Therefore, we kindly request that all customers include the following information on purchase orders, if available:
- the specific delivery address - any specific delivery instructions (i.e. opening and closing times for buildings) - point of contact with telephone number for the delivery location. This information should ensure that all deliveries are planned accordingly.
Contact: NPSConstruction&FM@gov.wales
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Corporate and Business Support Services
Contract Award Notices
Updates
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Media Buying, Integrated Marketing Campaigns & Public Relations framework - submissions for lot 1, Media Buying were received on the 18 October and are now under evaluation. The Media Buying lot on the existing All Wales Media Agency Services framework has been extended to cover customer requirements in the interim. Please contact us on the mailbox below if you have any queries.
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Stationery and Copier Paper - the framework core list with amended paper prices is now available on Sell2Wales and has been updated in Basware. The non-core list has been archived and replaced with sector specific 'additionally discounted items':
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=13081&Path=11755-13081 Please be advised that diaries are now out of stock. A Category Forum Group meeting is being arranged for January 2018. Any customers interested in attending, should contact us on the mailbox below.
Contact: NPSCorporateServices@gov.wales
Fleet and Transport
Updates
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Framework for the Provision of Vehicle Telematics - a Prior Information Notice has been issued on Sell2Wales:
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT218771 The Options Appraisal has been drafted and will be circulated to Category Forum Group (CFG) members for approval imminently. Following approval from the CFG and Senior Management, work will commence on the tender preparation.
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Vehicle Spares - contract review meetings with suppliers have been held. Work is ongoing in relation to the review of the core basket of spares. Details of the suggested core baskets will be sent to customer organisations for approval prior to going live early November 2017. We are happy to report, in terms of community benefits, the Vehicle Spares framework has delivered a number of cash donations to projects across Wales as well as the creation of eight full time and two part time jobs based in Wales.
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Vehicle Hire II - mini-competition exercises are being undertaken by our team on behalf of several customers. If any customer needs help to identify the most cost effective supply method (direct award or further competition), please contact us on the mailbox below.
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Tyres and Associated Services - this framework is due to expire on 15 November 2017. The framework has a provision to extend for a further period of up to two years in multiples not exceeding 12 months. We wish to extend this provision for 12 months subject to customers' consent. If any customer is not content to extend, please contact the Fleet mailbox below as soon as possible.
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Liquid Fuels - we have recently requested feedback from stakeholders in respect of exercising the option for the final extension of the Liquid Fuels framework. No objections have been received in respect of taking out the final extension for an additional 12 month period, with effect from 9 April 2018. Therefore, it is now our intention to commence the extension process. Further engagement with customers will take place with regard to the re-tender for this provision in early 2018.
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Fleet Pipeline - we are working with the AWTPG members to develop the future procurement pipeline for Fleet. We are setting up working groups to consider the following areas of work to drive best practice and economies of scale:
- Standardisation of vehicle specifications - Whole life costing models - Driver licence checks
We would be grateful if customers could confirm whether there is a need for us to proceed with these areas of work. If so, we would welcome nominations from customers for Category Forum Group members. For further information, please contact us on the mailbox below.
Contact: NPSFleet@gov.wales
Food
Contract Award Notices
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Supply and Distribution of Fresh Food and Beverages (including Frozen Meat) - this framework is now live and available for use, with 80% of the suppliers based in Wales.
Guidance documentation can be found on Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=14580&Path=6480-14580 We are keen to assist customers with individual or collaborative engagement under this framework. Please contact us on the mailbox below to discuss. We will work with customers, successful suppliers and Basware to develop eTrading Wales marketplace information / catalogues on request.
Upcoming Contract Award Notices
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Supply and Distribution of Packaged Food and Beverages - the deadline for tender submissions was 14 September 2017. Evaluations are underway and the framework agreement is scheduled to commence 27 November 2017.
Contact: NPSFood@gov.wales
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Information and Communications Technology
Updates
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NPS IT Products and Services (ITPS) Framework - the initial term of the ITPS framework is for a period of two years, with an option to extend up to a maximum of two years. Following a review of how the framework has performed since its commencement date, a decision has been made to extend the framework for a further 12 months. This will extend the framework until 3 January 2019. We have retained the option to extend for a further final 12 months, subject to another review.
We have received good news from the WEFO audit team regarding the framework. Lots 1, 2, 6 and 8 have been audited and are compliant with WEFO rules to allow organisations to recover matched funding through the ITPS framework. Remaining lots on the framework are to be reviewed in due course.
We have received feedback regarding issues with the usability of the ITPS catalogues and we propose to suspend the all Wales ITPS catalogues including the core product lists, from 1 December 2017. Individual organisation specific catalogues will remain in place. If the proposal to suspend the all Wales catalogues causes any issues for your organisation, please let us know using the mailbox below.
We have prepared a value add case study and supporting tender documentation which will enable organisations to put in place organisational specific catalogues through a further competition. This has been demonstrated to provide a better value for money solution over the existing catalogue approach. If customers are interested in taking advantage of this, please contact us on the mailbox below.
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NPS IT Products and Services update for customers - Misco UK (NPS-ICT-0019-15 – Lot 7 and Lot 10) have gone into administration. Geoffrey Rowley, Thomas MacLennan and John Lowe of FRP Advisory LLP have been appointed as Joint Administrators. The Administrators will take over the day to day control and management of the company and will assess whether there is the support to continue to trade. We will provide an update to customers as soon as we have further information. If customers have any queries, please contact the mailbox below.
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Digital Resources and Digital Services Framework - following engagement with customers and supplier events throughout September and October, we have produced a shortlist of areas of work to take forward in the next phase:
1. Digital Flexible Resources - a flexible mechanism where buyers can source skills for delivering digital based projects 2. Digital Services - a mechanism for buyers to source their digital needs over the next few years helping towards enabling them to achieve their digital strategies; and 3. A Dynamic Purchasing System for Welsh public sector compliant software which would include provision for compliance across the Welsh Language Standards; cyber security; accessibility; and potentially PSBA complimentary services.
If you have any feedback/additional ideas, or would like to know more, please contact the mailbox below. We intend to progress this shortlist through the NPS Governance process before Christmas.
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NPS ICT Supplier Workshop - existing NPS ICT framework suppliers were invited to attend a recent workshop on 12 October 2017 in the Waterton Centre, Bridgend, to better understand the Well-being of Future Generations Act and how their organisations could help improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. More than 20 suppliers took part in interactive sessions to generate ideas which could contribute towards the shared national goals. Suppliers voted to identify three actions which they have agreed to work together on, across ICT frameworks, to deliver tangible benefits over the next six months. We will now work with suppliers to help facilitate the delivery of these actions, and will provide an update in due course.
Contact: NPSICTCategoryTeam@gov.wales
People Services
Updates
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Assistive Technologies and Services - a request has been sent to the all Wales LIN group with options for the future of the framework which is due to expire 30 September 2018. If customers wish to discuss further, please contact the mailbox below.
Category Forum Group Outcome Reports
Contact: NPSPeopleServices&Utilities@gov.wales
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Professional Services
Upcoming Contract Award Notices
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Home Energy Efficiency Improvements and Advice: Warm Wales Programme - the Service Provider to Manage and Deliver an all-Wales Demand Led Fuel Poverty Scheme (Nest) is currently in the evaluation stage and is due to be awarded early December 2017.
Prior Information Notices
Updates
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Construction Consultancy (Property) - the Category Forum Group met on 23 October to discuss the renewal of the Construction Consultancy (Property) framework ahead of the final extension option at the end of 2017. Work is ongoing to develop a new model for the agreement and we welcome customers' input. Please contact us on the mailbox below.
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Legal training available - suppliers on the NPS Legal Services by Solicitors framework are offering a wide range of free and paid for legal training and briefing events. The schedule is available here: http://gov.wales/docs/nps/170711-nps-events.docx
For further information, please contact us on the mailbox below.
Contact: NPSProfessionalServices@gov.wales
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