Press Releases

New Public Sector Collaborative Agreement Set To Deliver £50 Million Savings To Taxpayer

Ref: 04/04

The Office Of Government Commerce (OGC) and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) have today launched a new joint 'Framework Agreement', which will deliver an estimated £50 million savings to the public sector.

The joint framework agreement will be actively marketed and managed on behalf of both parties by OGC's trading arm, OGCbuying.solutions (OGCbs) and will focus on reducing the estimated £600 million a year spend by all government offices on print and photocopier services.

The new collaborative arrangement replaces two existing agreements and will enable Central Civil Government, NHS and wider public sector customers to access a broader range of innovative multi-functional products, print software and associated services.

Designed to deliver greater value for money (VFM) across Government, the agreement is set to generate the estimated £50 million savings on product and services over a 4-year period. The Framework will be actively marketed to departments and agencies to ensure maximum uptake, thereby delivering the best possible VFM to the taxpayer.

Hugh Barrett, Chief Executive of OGCbuying.solutions said:

"We are delighted to work in partnership with NHS PASA. In doing so we are able to offer an innovative national agreement for multi function products to Government Departments, whilst delivering value for money savings to the taxpayer. This is yet another good example of joined up government."

Duncan Eaton, Chief Executive of NHS PASA, commented on the new arrangement:

"This contract shows again the benefits that can be achieved through cross - government co-operation."

"The strategic deployment of networked multi - function products will deliver significant savings across the NHS."

NOTES TO EDITOR:

The full list of suppliers to the Framework is as follows:

• Canon (UK) Ltd
• The Danwood Group Ltd
• Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Ltd
• Imagistics International Ltd
• NRG Group (UK) Ltd
• Xerox (UK) Ltd

Established in April 2000, OGC (www.ogc.gov.uk) was set up as an Office of HM Treasury to act as a catalyst in procurement issues and to work with civil departments to achieve best value for money in their commercial activities. Responsible for civil central government procurement policy and Best Practice, including Construction, Property Management, IT, Supplier Relations (including opening government contracts to SMEs), e-Commerce, the Gateway Review Process, OGCbuying.solutions, including the Government Procurement Card and Government buying catalogues such as the Government's IT Hardware catalogue (G-Cat) and the Government's IT Solutions Catalogue (S-Cat) and developing strategic procurement partnerships with the private sector.

OGCbuying.solutions (www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk) will manage the Framework and will focus on supporting the management and reduction of page output costs across government organisations. Functions include scan to email and scan to file facilities.

NHS PASA (www.pasa.nhs.uk) is an executive agency of the Department of Health.

It aims to be the centre of expertise, knowledge and guidance on purchasing and supply matters for the health service. As well as advising on policy and the strategic direction of procurement, the Agency also contracts on a national basis for products and services that are strategically critical to the NHS.

The Agency works with around 400 NHS trusts and health authorities in England and manages 3000 national purchasing contracts, influencing nearly half of the £11 billion spent in the NHS on purchasing goods and services.

Press Enquiries:

OGCbuying.solutions

Martin Day - 020 7271 1318