What's New in the Policy and Standards Framework

10 December 2008

OGC has published a new practical guide -  'Make Equality Count', which clarifies what the existing public sector equality duties mean for public procurement, and how equality related issues can be addressed at each stage of the procurement process in a way that is consistent with EU procurement rules.  The guide can be found in the Policy and Standards Framework.

4th December 2008

Commercial Strategy Template&Innovation Procurement Plan Guidance

A new template in which departments communicate how their commercial activity supports the delivery of overall departmental objectives.  The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has published guidance to departments on the structure and content of departmental IPPs.

Commercial Strategy Template (MS Word, 99KB)  Innovation Procurement Plan Guidance

26th November 2008

Further information about the processes and contractual provisions that are necessary for robust and appropriate data handling processes.

PPN Data Handling Review - Further Information (PDF, 200KB)

24th November 2008

As part of the 2008 Budget, Government asked Anne Glover to lead a committee to examine what the Government could do to make it easier for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to supply the public sector. The Government has welcomed the recommendations within the Glover Committee's report "Accelerating the SME Economic Engine: through transparent, simple and strategic procurement". To access the report, please click on the link below.

Accelerating the SME Economic Engine

11th November 2008

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Public Procurement Policy Statement and Guidance Note

We have published a policy statement and supplementary guidance note on the ownership of Intellectual Property Rights in public procurement.

IPR Policy Statement and Guidance Note

21st October

We have published refreshed and updated model terms and conditions for goods and services, and guidance, following an open consultation process with stakeholders in Government and the Private Sector. These models embody good procurement practice and are designed for low to medium risk procurements, with values above the OJEU thresholds.

Model Terms and Conditions of Contract

1st October 2008

'How to Buy' Journey for Construction published

23rd September 2008

Guidance on the use of Framework agreements

Updated guidance on the use of Framework agreements in the procurement Regulations has been published on the Policy and Standards Framework. This is one of a series of guidance notes published when the 2006 Regulations came into force, all are being refreshed and updated

15th September

The Public Contracts and Utilities Contracts (CPV Code Amendments) Regulations 2008

The Public Contracts and Utilities Contracts (CPV Code Amendments) Regulations 2008 (PDF)

7th August 2008

12/08 informing of draft amendments to the 2006 Public Contracts and Utilities Contracts Regulations. These amendments will give effect to the requirement for postal services to be covered by the Utilities Directive before 1 January 2009. This note also informs about the revised Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) codes, which will come into effect on 15 September 2008.

Consultation on the Postal Services (PDF, 134KB) and regulations (PDF, 125KB)

21st July 2008

PPN Joint Statement on Access to Skills

10/08 announcing a Joint Statement on Access to Skills, Trade Unions and Advice in Government Contracting. Contracting authorities to which the Joint Statement applies should implement the commitments detailed in the Joint Statement and its supporting guidance where appropriate, depending on the individual procurement.

Joint Statement on Access to Skills, Trade Unions and Advice in Government Contracting (PDF, 962KB)

PPN Use of the Open Procedure - publication of the date and time of tender opening (PDF, 124KB)

9th July 2008

The new pamphlet entitled is the second in a series of guidance aimed at highlighting how public sector procurement can contribute to key Government goals, and follows guidance launched last month on how procurement can support social issues. The new guide shows how every spending decision made can have consequences for the environment, and is intended as an introduction to the subject for anyone involved in public sector procurement, from internal clients to suppliers and procurers themselves.

Buy Green and Make a Difference (PDF, 291KB)

1 July 2008

This PPN provides guidance on the new Cabinet Office mandatory requirements for the adoption of OGC model contract clauses and provisions relating to security and information assurance in contracts. This follows the publication of the Data Handling Procedures in Government Report, June 2008.  The requirements take effect for all new contracts signed from 1 July, 2008.

Data Handling Review - Mandatory application of security provisions in contracts (PDF, 199KB)

11 June 2008

Social Issues in Public Procurement

This practical guide draws on real-life examples to show public procurers how they can help address social concerns both in what they buy and in the way they should expect suppliers to cater for social needs.  This may include:

Promoting healthier eating in schools;

• involving community groups to actively engage with businesses to increase employment opportunities to diverse groups;
• encouraging the buy-in of the voluntary and community sectors in regeneration projects; 
• promoting contract opportunities to a broader business community to encourage wider take-up by community groups;
• local authorities contracting out for the workforce of a helpdesk in an ethnically diverse area to seek staff fluent in languages used locally to increase awareness and take-up of public services.  

Social Issues in Public Procurement (PDF, 1013KB)

30 May 2008

New Version of OGC's ICT Model Contract and Guidance, supports better ICT outcomes