What's New

February 2010

Government Procurement Graduate Scheme 2010 launch

The Government Procurement Graduate Scheme 2010 has been launched this month. The rigorous recruitment process ensures only the highest calibre graduates make it through to become a Government procurement professional - a great reason to consider hosting a GPS graduate in your Department

GPS - supporting your career development

Building a career within procurement is not always straight forward. It takes time, personal commitment and organisational opportunities to make it successful. That is why GPS have been working with departments to develop a series of career management tools

Collaborative Procurement brand launched

The public sector's procurement efficiency drive has been given an extra lift with the introduction of an identification mark to signpost the public sector to collaborative frameworks, best practice advice and guidance for specific collaborative procurement initiatives

Contracts database - helping you find contracts from across Government

The Contracts database is an easy-to-use-online tool helping you find existing and upcoming contracts from across central and local Government, most of which you should be able to join right away. It also offers support and guidance on procurement

January 2010

New below threshold pre-qualification questionnaire to help SMEs

A new below-OJEU threshold pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) is now available for download from OGC. The PQQ will ensure information requested as part of a tender is relevant and proportionate to the size of the procurement, and minimise unnecessary administration for both procurers and potential suppliers during the tender process

Policy through Procurement helps Government deliver wider policy objectives

The Policy through Procurement action plan aims to help the public sector deliver economic growth with the £220bn it spends on procurement, by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises; encouraging apprenticeships, training and youth employment; and reducing carbon emissions

December 2009

An Interview with William Jordan

Procurement has a large and complex agenda, and in this article sustainability, collaboration and the government estate are explained by the man responsible, OGC's Chief Sustainability and Operating Officer, William Jordan.

November 2009

Collaborative Procurement 09 hailed a great success!

There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the 300 Central Government and wider public sector delegates who attended the OGC GPS-supported Collaborative Procurement 09 conference on 2 November. After inspiring keynote addresses from OGC's own David Shields, PricewaterhouseCoopers UK and the Audit Commission, the most popular breakout session was about delivering 'more with less' through collaborative procurement.

Contracts Database integration - complete access with just one click

On 11 November OGC launched a new stage in the life of its Contracts Database. The Database is now integrated with the Regional Contract Databases hosted by each of the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs). This means that visitors to our site can now access information about national and regional deals at the click of a button.

OGC to set up first pan-Government eAuction centre

OGC has announced it will create the first pan-Government eAuction Centre of Excellence to increase the impact of eAuctions in the public sector, aiming to influence public sector spend of £820 million and help achieve savings of over £250 million by the end of 2010/11. The centre will provide co-ordination and support for eAuctions across the wider public sector, particularly where there is scope for increased collaboration.

October 2009

GPS Online continues to grow

Membership of the OGC Government Procurement Service Online (GPS Online) community continues to grow. More than 270 central Government procurement professionals have joined and are actively using the site since its official launch earlier in the summer. The site is interactive, allowing members to post their own news, views and discussion forums. Sub-communities have been created to allow the exchange of ideas between practitioners on particular topics. Read more here.

PCR enters a new phase - Wave 2

It's been two years since OGC launched its Procurement Capability Review (PCR) Programme. During this time we have reviewed and scored 16 of the bigger spending Government Departments, working with them to make improvements in their procurement systems and processes. As a result of this joint work, procurement now has a higher profile within Government and some of the resulting changes in departments are starting to deliver real benefits. As we approach the next wave of PCRs (Wave 2) we are publishing our overview of this first wave. The new self-assessment approach uses a combination of qualitative assessments, key performance metrics and hard evidence to inform Departmental performance assessment against the same original criteria of the PCR Assessment Model. You can view the report here.

September 2009

Thank you for completing the GPS Survey 2009!

Many thanks from the Government Procurement Service to those who took the time to participate in the 2nd annual GPS survey. The survey was undertaken to gain the opinions of procurement and contract management professionals in Central Government and will be used to inform the implementation of the GPS strategy 'Building the Procurement Profession in Government' which was launched in August 2009. A full review of lessons learned, which will inform the approach to next year's survey, will take place when the results have been fully analysed. We will continue to keep you up to date as we analyse the responses.

Government Procurement Graduate Scheme 2009

Recruitment for the GPGS 2009 has been a great success. Not only did the scheme win an award for the attraction campaign, but we also logged an incredible 267% increase in applications compared to the 2008 scheme! We attracted over 500 diverse and high quality applicants and invited over 80 candidates to an assessment centre. We have now offered positions to more than 20 applicants in 12 different Departments. We are looking forward to welcoming them all into the GPS community officially at the GPGS induction event on 12 November 2009. More details of the event, including news and photos will follow in later editions of the OGC Digest. Read more here.

August 2009

Building the Procurement Profession in Government - GPS launch Strategy for central Government procurement

The Government Procurement Service (GPS) are publishing "Building the Procurement Profession in Government" this month. The strategy sets out a programme of work to raise capability, increase capacity, and raise the profile of the procurement profession across central Government. The strategy is supported by all Departments, who are currently developing implementation plans to deliver the recommendations by March 2010. To see a copy of the strategy and to get more background information please read more here

Look out for the 2009 Survey this month

Invitations to participate in the 2009 survey will be with you soon. Like last year, the survey will give insight into the current issues faced by procurement professionals and inform future work to raise the profile of the profession across Government. Details of the 2009 survey are here

Government publishes suite of best practice case studies in sustainable procurement and operations

Case studies, some of which were presented in the recently released State of the Estate Report, have been collected from a range of departments and agencies to highlight some of the many positive actions that can contribute towards delivering sustainable procurement and operations. They have been selected on the basis of whether they are innovative and making a difference and whether they could be easily replicated more widely in central Government.

July 2009

Innovation Procurement Plans

With innovation essential to the UK's future prosperity and ability to tackle major challenges the public sector is being called upon to lead the way in creating demand for new innovative products and services. Innovation Procurement Plans (IPPs) set out how Government Departments will embed innovation in procurement practices. Find out more

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary - a case study

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary has gone through major changes to ensure it continues to provide supplies and support at sea to the Royal Navy and other defence forces. Find out how it has adapted since its establishment in 1905. Find out more  

Better Designed - Better Procured. Record shortlist for this year's Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award

The Award is sponsored jointly by the Office of Government Commerce, CABE and for the first time this year, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. It is unique in requiring efficient procurement, excellent design and sustainability. The OGC's Construction Category Team advises the Award's judging panel. The team leads best practice collaborative procurement initiatives across the public sector, including Achieving Excellence in Construction and Fair Payment in Construction - initiatives that are expected to feature in the shortlisted projects. Read more here

June 2009

Central Government's management of service contracts - Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report published

Following the National Audit Office report Central Government's management of service contracts in December 2008, the OGC welcomes the recent PAC report which makes a range of recommendations to help Central Government improve contract management. This provides additional impetus to OGC's work achieving value for money on behalf of taxpayers and to support this goal the OGC has updated existing guidance and developed new tools. More here.

GPS Online - be a part of something new

The Government Procurement Service has created an online community to help procurement professionals across the country to interact, share knowledge and debate procurement matters. The site also offers a one-stop-shop for all procurement vacancies in Central Government, as well as signposting learning and development resources. More information here.

Award for Government Procurement Graduate Scheme (GPGS)

A ground-breaking project to encourage talented graduates to build a career in procurement has won a prestigious award. The honour, for the Government Procurement Graduate Scheme (GPGS), recognises the work being done to attract top-level candidates from university and raise standards in the profession. Find out more.

Taking control of your own career

How often do we hear the words, "I just fell into this work, it wasn't something I planned"? For procurement professionals in Central Government this is very common, which is why GPS has been working with departments to develop the GPS Career Management Programme. Find out more.

May 2009

Is Procurement increasingly being viewed as a rewarding career choice?

This year's Government Procurement Graduate Scheme (GPGS) saw a 267% increase in applications since 2008, with over 500 applications from a talented pool of individuals keen to join the profession this year.  Perhaps this steep rise in interest is evidence that Government procurement is increasingly being recognised as offering an exciting and rewarding career path that people actively chose rather than "fall into", a sentiment which was reflected in the strap line for the GPGS recruitment campaign: "No one does procurement on quite the same scale". Find out how your team can tap into this new talent.

Raising the profile of procurement with future senior civil servants

The growing popularity of procurement as a profession is evident within Government as well as from external applications to GPS entry schemes. There has been a significant rise in interest from the Fast Stream community in undertaking commercial placements, particularly through the GPS Fast Stream Procurement Placement Option. Katie Brooks, Entry Schemes Manager, comments on why the procurement profession is being seen in a more positive light by aspiring Senior Civil Servants and explains what the Fast Stream Procurement Option offers.

HMPS procure a 'Zero Waste Mattress and Pillow Solution', and save nearly £5 million

In March this year HM Prison Service (HMPS) signed a contract for a Zero Waste Mattress and Pillow Solution. Exceeding all expectations, this brings to a successful conclusion the first pioneering Forward Commitment Procurement demonstration project which began in 2006 and was undertaken in partnership with OGC and the BIS/DEFRA Environmental Innovations Advisory Group (EIAG). Read more information.

April 2009

OGC publishes Procurement Capability Reviews tranches four and five

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has published tranches 4 and 5 of the Procurement Capability Reviews for the Ministry of Defence, Department of Culture Media and Sport, the Foreign and the Commonwealth Office (tranche four) the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office (tranche 5).

Angela Eagle praises the success of latest OGC eAuction as it delivers £10.5 million savings

An OGC eAuction for ICT hardware has led to total savings of £10.5 million for participating public sector organisations. Collaborative online auctions, in which organisations pool their requirements and invite suppliers to bid down the price, are a major component of the pan government ICT category strategy. They provide an excellent value for money solution for public sector spend.

GPS Fast Stream

The Fast Stream Procurement Placement Option enables existing fast streamers to access placements to build commercial experience. The GPS team have produced a Fast stream procurement placement brochure to help start a career in procurement.

Government lays down the environmental gauntlet

Sustainable procurement is now firmly in the sights of the UK government. For GPS members this is your opportunity to see how you as a procurement professional can help set the agenda and contribute to making a real difference to our environment.

Updated specifications - Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Procurement professionals will be pleased to read about the sustainable procurement criteria which are already available for a range of products purchased by Central Government departments and executive agencies.

Supplier engagement - Defra's Story

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is the government's champion for sustainable development and has publicly committed to lead by example in sustainable procurement.

March 2009

OGC's Policy and Standards Division Launches PPN Quarterly Updates.

Topics and issues regularly arise on public procurement rules and policy that are of interest to OGC stakeholders. As such, we have launched a new quarterly PPN to keep you updated.

Government Procurement Graduate Scheme Update

Applications for our 2009 Government Procurement Graduate Scheme are drawing to a close. Don't miss your chance to participate, contact Alex Holden on 01603 704 553. To find out what other participating organisations have to say go to hosting a graduate for more information.

Consultancy Value Programme

The 2007/8 spend by the 16 largest spending departments has been published on the OGC website

A Formula for Success - OGC launches new guide

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) launched a new guide - A Formula for Success: Procurement effectiveness in major project delivery - which is the latest in a raft of measures driven by the OGC to help in the delivery of complex projects to time, quality and cost.    

The Building Schools for the Future Programme: renewing the secondary school estate

The National Audit Office have published a report on "The Building Schools for the Future Programme: renewing the secondary school estate". The Building Schools for the Future programme aims to rebuild, refurbish and provide new Information Technology for all 3,500 secondary schools in England by 2020.

February 2009

Angela Eagle hails the age of the modernised procurement professional

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Angela Eagle MP, called upon public procurement professionals to buy smarter in the current economic climate in the delivery of value for money solutions on the purchase of goods and services.

Changes to Government Procurement Service Membership Criteria

The Government Procurement Service (GPS) membership criteria are being refreshed to ensure that all procurement practitioners across government can engage with GPS initiatives. The attached letter outlines the changes that will be made over the next few months.

Civil Service Live 2009

This year's Civil Service Live events will take place on 9 March in Gateshead and from 7-9 July at London Olympia.  The event is open to all UK civil servants. Click on the link to the Civil Service Live for more information.

Government Procurement Graduate Scheme

Applications are now open for this year's Government Procurement Graduate Scheme.

A Talent Management Project for the GPS community across central government

The GPS Talent Management project will focus on assessing, developing and retaining those identified with potential for progression and promotion across the government procurement profession. The Building Schools for the Future Programme: renewing the secondary school estate