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OGC announces 250th deal for the Contracts Database

Released on 13/02/2008

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has reached a significant milestone for its online Contracts Database system. Last week it listed its 250th deal - an electricity contract led by NHS PASA. The growing popularity of the database highlights its effectiveness in helping public sector organisations save time and costs associated with submitting tenders.

The database, developed by the OGC's Knowledge and Information Unit (KIU), allows users to find central and local government frameworks and contracts, and acts as a shop window for collaborative deals. It is free to view and was launched in the summer of 2006.

It is used by a full range of public sector organisations, including central government departments and agencies, local authorities, NHS Trusts, police forces, schools, colleges, and universities. Public sector purchasers can make significant cost and time savings, as the contracts on the database are aggregated and have, where appropiate, already been competitively tendered in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
 
Commenting on the Contracts Database milestone, OGC chief executive Nigel Smith said:

"Reaching the 250th deal for the Contracts Database shows what an important tool it is in helping public sector procurers reach a quick solution. The database is a key resource for the public sector's drive to achieve greater efficiency and better value for money."

Michael Acheson, deputy director of procurement for the Department for Transport (DfT) commented:

"The Contracts Database proves invaluable to us in two ways. Firstly, sharing our own open frameworks - such as our recycled paper framework - will help our contracts to grow and, as a result, increase the opportunities for aggregation and improve value for money. 

"Secondly, using the easy search capability, we've already started checking to see if anyone else has a contract for a commodity before we commence an expensive and potentially unnecessary procurement."

The 250th deal, led by NHS PASA is an electricity pan-government framework, which will initially be used by NHS bodies, the MoD and Berkshire Local Authorities but is open to other public sector organisations. Scottish and Southern Energy plc will supply the electricity.

Notes to Editors

The Contracts Database can be found at: http://www.ogc.gov.uk/contractsdatabase/

About OGC

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an office of HM Treasury, responsible for improving value for money by driving up standards and capability in procurement, from commodities buying to the delivery of major capital projects, maximising the effective use of 60% of Government spending and a £30 billion property estate.
 
A new Government strategy launched in January 2007, Transforming Government Procurement, highlighted the central importance of procurement in delivering high-quality public services and best value for money.  OGC is tasked with delivering this transformation, and with driving up standards and procurement capability across central Government.  The OGC will do this through:

  • Setting procurement standards and monitoring performance and capability; 
  • Developing a cadre of skilled procurement professionals across Government; 
  • Driving value for money through collaborative procurement; 
  • Playing a stronger role in the successful delivery of major projects; 
  • And improving management and use of the Government estate.

Media Contact:
Michael Dunning
T: 020 7271 1318
F: 020 7271 1345
E: press@ogc.gsi.gov.uk
 

Contact details:
OGC Service Desk
Tel: 0845 000 4999
E-mail: ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

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