How to buy from a trusted supplier on the Digital Specialists and Programmes framework

Digital Specialists and Programmes (DSP) is one of Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) frameworks that let public sector organisations access trusted technology suppliers who can help them gain maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services.

The DSP framework offers:

• End-to-end digital transformation programmes (Lot 1– Digital Programmes)
• Digital, Data and Technology roles (Lot 2 – Digital Specialists)

Tecknuovo is a listed supplier on both Lot 1 and Lot 2. On Lot 1 and Lot 2, you can buy from us using a single or two-stage competition. Lot 2 also offers a simpler way to procure from us through direct award. This is a great way to save a substantial chunk of time in the procurement process, and can help you get the work up and running and serving your objectives much faster.

You can find out more about our appointment to the framework in our press release.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the seven steps you’ll need to take if you want to engage with us on the DSP framework.

Step 1: Identify your needs

You’ll start off by developing a Statement of Requirements that sets out the deliverables you’ll need for the duration of the contract. You can find the template in the documents list at the bottom of this page.

Step 2: Finalise your needs

Be as precise as possible about your requirements in your call-off procedure documents. The more clearly you define them, the better equipped we’ll be to give you a comprehensive, value-for-money bid without excessive provision for risk or contingency in the pricing.

Step 3: Decide what type of call-off you want to use

If you are using Lot 1 (Digital Programmes), you should decide if you are doing a one-stage or a two-stage further competition.

If you are using Lot 2 (Digital Specialists), you should decide if you are doing a one-stage or a two-stage further competition or a direct award.

One stage further competition

This option means you’ll need to invite all the suppliers on the framework to bid for your opportunity. It also means you’ll need to assess all the bids you receive.

Two stage further competition

This option lets you shortlist the suppliers you find to be most suitable for your procurement by using a capability assessment tool. Only the suppliers you select will be invited to bid for your opportunity.

Direct award

If you’ve completed a capability assessment and have decided that you want to buy from us directly, you can choose the direct award option. As a reminder, this is only available on Lot 2.

Step 4: Complete the call-off documents

When you’re ready to send your requirements to the market and after reading the Public Sector Contract schedules, you’ll need to complete the call-off documents (also known as a bid pack). These are made up of:

• About the procurement
• How to bid
• Statement of requirements

You’ll find all the above at the bottom of this page.

Step 5: Issue the call-off documents

For a one-stage further competition

You can invite all suppliers in the lot you are using to a one-stage further competition.

For a two-stage further competition

In the second stage of a two-stage further competition, you can invite the suppliers you shortlisted at the first qualifying stage.

For direct awards

If you’re giving a direct award under lot 2, you can use the CAM tool and the pricing tool to figure out which determine which supplier can provide you with the most economically advantageous solution. You can do this by using the “quality” part of the CAM tool’s direct award criteria, and the “price” part of the pricing tool’s direct award criteria.

You can get the CAM tool and pricing tool by contacting CCS by email. You can use the free CCS eSourcing portal or your own procurement platform to start and complete a further competition or direct award.

Step 6: Evaluation

You have to treat all suppliers equally and fairly during your bid evaluation, using the most economically advantageous tender criteria that you set out in your further competition documents.

You also have to evaluate the bid according to how you described it in the call-off documents, and you must keep a clear audit trail of the process from beginning to end.

Step 7: Award

Once you’ve identified your preferred tender, CCS recommends that you apply a standstill period of a minimum of 10 calendar days before awarding the contract. You should inform all the suppliers of the outcome of the further competition by email or letter.

After the standstill is complete, you can place your order with the successful supplier by finalising and placing the completed order form (Framework Schedule 6).

You should provide written feedback to unsuccessful suppliers, setting out the relative strengths and weaknesses of their bid.

Conclusion:

If you still have questions about how you can buy from us on the DSP framework, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in person. Please contact Kieran Blackstone on (kieran.blackstone@tecknuovo.com).

This guide is based on information from Crown Commercial Service: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6263