1. News
 Congratulations to all GO Awards Wales winners!
Congratulations to all of the winners at the recent Go Awards
Wales.
The National Procurement Service and Welsh Government were
nominated for six GO Awards this year and were successful in winning one
category and being Highly Commended in two others.
We are very grateful for all the help we received from customers and stakeholders for these awards.
The NPS Utilities team won the GO Sustainable Procurement Award
for its work in bringing renewable energy to all its customers.
Congratulations to our colleagues in the Corporate Procurement
Services (CPS) team in the Welsh Government who were Highly Commended in
the Procurement Team of the Year category for improving commercial governance
and compliance within the Welsh Government.
Congratulations are also due to the Marine and Fisheries Division
within the Welsh Government who worked along side CPS and received a highly
commended in Procurement Innovation / Initiative for their procurement of
Replacement Fisheries Assets - a great showing!
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 We are pleased to announce that iCOM Works Ltd, the Cardiff based managed service provider appointed to the NPS Employee Benefits framework agreement were successful in winning the GO Best Business Award (Suppliers, service providers and contractors working with the Welsh public sector).
Dave Baker, Managing Director of iCOM Works Ltd said, “We would definitely recommend any business to apply for the GO Awards Wales. It feels great to be recognised for the great product that we know we have!”
Congratulations to colleagues across the Welsh public sector for their nominations and success at the awards.
A gallery of photographs from the event is available here: http://www.goawards.co.uk/wales/winners/gallery/
Planning for the 2018 awards will begin soon so start thinking about your entries now!
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Review of NPS and Value Wales
Mark Drakeford, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, is establishing an independent review of the National Procurement Service and Value Wales within the Welsh Government. This review will engage stakeholders in determining the shape of both organisations in future, funding model, and new governance arrangements for procurement at a national level. The review is expected to be completed within six months.
Marion Stapleton, Deputy Director of the Economy, Skills and Natural Resources Cross Cutting Strategy Team, will lead the review and consequently the future policy direction. Sue Moffatt will step back from the day to day management of NPS for the period of the review, and Jonathan Hopkins will have responsibility for NPS, Value Wales, Commercial Innovation and Commercial Policy and Delivery. Sue Moffatt remains as Commercial Director responsible for Commercial Governance and Assurance, Corporate Procurement Services, Communications, Commercial and Procurement (ICT), Business Intelligence and advising on the procurement aspects of Brexit.
If you have any questions, please email us at NPSCommunications@gov.wales
Wales Audit Office Report
Following the publication of the Wales Audit Office (WAO) Public Procurement in Wales Report, last month an additional report on the National Procurement Service has been published.
We are pleased that the Wales Audit Office recognises the importance of the role procurement in delivering public services for Wales.
We welcome the findings of the report and work is already underway to refocus the NPS and Value Wales within the Welsh Government. This includes re-evaluating how the NPS works with its customers,
agreeing a sustainable funding mechanism and revising the opt-out
procedure.
We
will consider all of the recommendations in the report and will take any
appropriate further actions in consultation with public sector stakeholders,
business and social partners.
The report is available here: http://www.audit.wales/publication/national-procurement-service
We welcome your feedback so if you have any thoughts or comments please email us at: NPSCommunications@gov.wales
 Procurement Capability
Mark Drakeford, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, used his speech at Procurex to announce work on developing procurement capability.
The Welsh Government will work with stakeholders, including the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), to build commercial capability across the public sector in Wales. This will encompass training programmes, promoting integrity and ethical standards and supporting professional development and qualifications.
The Welsh Government is joining CIPS in stating its support for a voluntary licence approach to be adopted across the procurement and supply profession. The licence will be designed to ensure procurement professionals possess the requisite skills and qualifications to properly manage their procurement and best use the resources of their organisation to support its performance.
The work on capability will form part of a five year programme for procurement which will also cover a number of projects to support delivery across a range of priorities, including the Well-being of Future Generations Act, decarbonisation and capability development.
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Procurex comes to Wales for the third year
Procurex, Wales’ biggest procurement conference came to Cardiff earlier this month.
The event was attended by over 1000 delegates from over 320 different organisations from the public sector, private sector and third sector. Delegates were able to visit 85 exhibition stands and had a choice of over 60 presentations and breakout sessions throughout the day.
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The sessions were on the four themes of the Welsh Government’s ‘Prosperity for All’ strategy: a Prosperous and Secure Wales, a Healthy and Active Wales, an Ambitious and Learning Wales, and a United and Connected Wales.
Next year’s Procurex Wales is expected to be held in the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff on 8 November 2018. More details will follow soon.
If you have any feedback on this year or would like to get involved next year please let us know by emailing: NPSCommunications@gov.wales
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Live Frameworks list
The list of NPS Frameworks as of November 14 2017 has been updated on our website: http://nps.gov.wales/categories/framework-agreements/?lang=en
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.
November Forward Look:
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
Contract Award Notices
Updates
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Conservation Works – we are looking at the possibility
of procuring a framework covering conservation works to listed buildings and
monuments of historic importance. The types of works covered will be specialist
conservation works but also some more generalist work such as commercial
building work, external/landscaping works etc where those works are within or
adjacent to historic buildings. If you
are a customer and feel you have properties that will require this type of
work, please contact us on the category mailbox below, directly
expressing your interest in the project.
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Mini-competitions – we will shortly be embarking on two
collaborative mini-competitions as follows:
- Commercial Lift Maintenance with Ceredigion County Council, National Library
of Wales, Aberystwyth University, Carmarthenshire Council and Pembrokeshire
Council
- Mechanical Servicing contract with Carmarthenshire County Council,
Pembrokeshire County Council, Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service
and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.
Both are exciting collaborative opportunities for all parties concerned. If
your organisation wishes to be part of either of the competitions or would be
interested in the NPS supporting a similar mini-competition in your region,
please contact us on the mailbox below.
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Cleaning and Janitorial Materials – we are in discussion with Arrow
County Supplies about possible price amendments to the core list items of the Cleaning
and Janitorial Materials Framework. Further details will be uploaded to
Sell2Wales in due course and by mid December 2017.
The annual price variation exercise has been completed for the following
frameworks and revised pricing schedules have been uploaded onto Sell2Wales:
- Electrical, Heating and Plumbing Materials
- Hand Tools and Small Electrical Equipment
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?Type=13045&Path=13045
Contact: NPSConstruction&FM@gov.wales
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Corporate and Business Support Services
Updates
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Supply
of High Visibility, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Uniforms,
Workwear and Leisurewear - two framework launch events are being held on December 5 and 13 in South and North Wales. The events will feature an informal marketplace,
giving buyers an opportunity to meet all framework suppliers face-to-face
to discuss requirements and future needs, and view the key products on
offer. Further information for buyers can be found here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKWALES_NPS/bulletins/1c53cf6
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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 evaluation is now being finalised.
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 - please be advised that
diaries are now out of stock. A Category Forum Group meeting is being
arranged for January 2018. If any customers are interested in attending, or providing feedback for us to use in the meeting, please 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
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Vehicle Spares – a revised basket of parts has now been agreed and is now live. These baskets have been uploaded onto
Sell2Wales: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=12743&Path=11759-12740-12743
The next review of the basket will be in March 2018.
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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.
Please note that contact details of suppliers have
recently been updated on the commercial documents stored on Sell2Wales. It is advised that
buyers regularly check documents published on Sell2Wales to ensure they are
utilising the most up to date information, when calling off the framework.
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Tyres
and Associated Services – the framework has been extended (subject to the agreement of any price
variations) for a period of 12 months to 15 November 2018.
Buckley Tyres have not agreed to the extension and will be removed from
the framework at their request.
Price reviews are being undertaken with all suppliers with the exception
of ATS (agreed a price increase effective 1 June 2017, for a 12 month
period).
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Liquid
Fuels – the
framework will be extended for the final period of 12 months with price
reviews being held early 2018. Further engagement with customers will take
place with regard to the re-tender for this provision in early 2018.
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Driver
Licence Checking
– a Category Forum Group (CFG) meeting with all organisations that have expressed an interest in this requirement, was held on 15 November to discuss future
provision. The outcomes report is available on Sell2Wales:
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Authority/Resources/Resources.aspx?ID=&Type=6508&Path=6260-6508
If your organisation would like to be part of this CFG, please contact the category mailbox below.
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Fleet Pipeline - we are working with the
All Wales Transport and Procurement Group 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
We believe there are significant benefits to
standardisation and have case studies to support this. We would be
grateful to hear from customers who would like to work together in this
area. 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.
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Supply and Distribution
of Packaged Food and Beverages – this framework is now live and available for use. We would like
to thank all participants from across the public sector for their help and
support during this procurement process.
Guidance
documentation will be uploaded to Sell2Wales very shortly.
We will work with customers, successful suppliers and Basware to develop
eTrading Wales marketplace information / catalogues upon request. Please contact us on the mailbox below if you
wish to discuss further.
Contact: NPSFood@gov.wales
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Information and Communications Technology
Updates
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Flexible Digital and ICT
Resources Framework - the options appraisal has
been developed following engagement with customers and suppliers over the past few months.
This will be presented to the NPS Delivery Group in December 2017.
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NPS IT Products and Services (ITPS)
Framework (NPS-ICT-0019-15) - we would like to remind customers that
the All Wales ITPS catalogue will be removed from eTradingWales from 1 December 2017. If this causes any issues for your organisation, please let us
know using the mailbox, prior to the 1st December. Customer organisation
specific catalogues will remain in place.
You will be
aware from previous communications that Misco UK Ltd (Lot 7 and Lot 10) is in
Administration. We received confirmation on 28 November that Millennium Business Systems (Lot 9) is in Administration. Further details will be available on Sell2Wales. Communications have been issued to Heads of Procurement. If customers have any queries, please contact us on the mailbox below.
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Structured
Cabling Services Framework
(NPS-ICT-0041-15) - this framework comprises of six geographical regions. There are ten suppliers on the framework, eight of which are SMEs and of those, four are based in
Wales.
In addition to structured cabling
services, there are a number of optional associated services and commodities
which can be procured through the framework, including but not limited to;
Backbone Cabling
Catenary, Cat 5e, Cat
6 & Cat 6A, Fibre Optic and Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cables
Trunks (dado trunking), Floor Boxes, Network Points, Fibre converters,
Patch Panels, Trays, and Cabinets
Armoured cabling for external work. The two year
initial period of the framework comes to an end on 31 July 2018. There is an
option to extend for further periods up to 2 years.
An appraisal of options is
underway, and an update will
be presented to the NPS Delivery Group in December. We will consult with
customers and framework suppliers over the next few weeks, and if you have any feedback, please contact us on the mailbox below.
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Well-Being of Future
Generations Act - Supplier Collaboration in Action - more than 20 suppliers
took part in interactive sessions at recent supplier workshops, 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 the ICT frameworks, to deliver tangible
benefits in Wales over the next six months. The suppliers who commit, will be participating in at least one action, which include:
- Working
with the Prince's Trust on their On-line Mentoring Scheme for 18-24 year
olds in Wales. We hope this exciting venture can be launched in December.
- 'Adopt / Sponsor a Community' where suppliers will work in partnership with Business in the Community
(BiTC), who engage with the third sector, business partners, local authorities and other community stakeholders to deliver a programme of activities.
- 'Community Projects' which are being discussed with BiTC to look at options for developing potential projects for suppliers to deliver sustainable outcomes in communities across Wales
We will consult with suppliers regarding
these opportunities, and in the meantime if you
would like to know more or become involved, please contact Dave Williams through
the mailbox below.
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.
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Managed Service for the provision
of Agency Workers - we have started to work through options
regarding the structure of the next generation of this framework including
alternative supply models and lots. A Category Forum Group (CFG) meeting to share our findings and to
seek agreement on how to proceed will be held in February 2018. Invites to
existing CFG members will be issued to attend but for any other customers
wishing to attend, please contact us on the mailbox below.
Category Forum Group
Outcome Reports
Contact: NPSPeopleServices&Utilities@gov.wales
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Professional Services
Category Events
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NPS VAT & Financial Services Consultancy Category Forum Group meeting – Wednesday, 6 December. Further information can be found here:
http://gov.wales/docs/nps/171129-forward-look-en.pdf
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Property
Consultancy – a supplier event was held in Bridgend on the 14 November to
gain feedback from the market on our proposal for the renewal of this
agreement. The event was very well
attended with over 80 representatives and some lively debate. A second event took place in Llandudno
Junction on the 23 of November. If you would like any further information, please contact the mailbox below.
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 in December 2017.
Prior Information Notices
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All-Wales Area Based Fuel Poverty
Scheme (Arbed) -
issued 22 September 2017: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP215951
The tender documentation is currently under development and the
Contract Notice is due to be published before the end of 2017.
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Property Consultancy framework - a speculative notice for the renewal of the Property Consultancy
framework was issued on the 2 November. The new agreement is now in development and we hope to publish the
Contract Notice in late January 2018.
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Welsh Translation and Interpretation Services framework - a speculative notice has also been issued for the renewal of The
Welsh Translation and Interpretation Services framework. Work is ongoing to develop the new agreement
and we would welcome enquiries from customers who may have an interest in these
services. Please contact us on the mailbox below.
Updates
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Legal Training - 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/171124-legal-services-training.docx
For
further information, please contact us on the mailbox below.
Contact: NPSProfessionalServices@gov.wales
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