Our frameworks

Framework dates: 09/11/2022 – 08/11/2023

Description: This framework replaces G-Cloud 12 and enables public sector customers to procure a large variety of cloud-based computing services such as hosting, software, and cloud support.

Lots: Lot 3: Cloud Support - To help set up and maintain cloud software or hosting services.

Benefits:

• Access to over 40,000 services and over 5,000 suppliers 
• Scalable services: pay for what you use, and increase or reduce what you need easily
• Quick and easy route to market
• Reduced costs and reduced total cost of ownership compared to running your own service in house 
• Access to the latest technology and innovation with every refresh of the G-Cloud agreement
• Change service provider easily

How you can buy: You can direct award on G-Cloud 13 after completing the buying process. Further information can be found on the CCS website. 

Framework dates: 29/11/2022 – 28/11/2023

Description: This is a new lot under G-Cloud 13. Lot 4 enables Public sector customers to access cloud support requirements through further competition from one or multiple categories. It includes services such as set up and migration, security services and performance testing.

Benefits:

• Provides a route to market through further competition
• Allows call-off contracts up to 3 years with an optional one 12 month extension period
• Features 41 suppliers across the agreement including SME’s
• Allows customers to apply qualitative evaluation including social value
• Uses the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Public Sector Contract
• Suppliers are certified as Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO27001

How you can buy: You can select a supplier on G-Cloud 13 Lot 4 through further competition. Further information can be found on the CCS website. 

Framework dates: 28/06/2022 – 27/06/2024

Description: A route to market to access agile development and user-centred design services to accelerate innovation within the public sector. This new agreement will run alongside RM6263 Digital Specialists and Programmes. Together they will replace RM1043.7 Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5.

Lots: Lot 1: Digital Outcomes - Access teams of one or more digital specialists who will provide outcome-based services under clearly defined pieces of work.

Benefits:

• Offers bespoke services through suppliers with the right capabilities to meet your needs
• No restriction on the value of an individual call-off contract (the agreement has an overall Find a Tender Service (FTS) value of £813 million)
• Further competition process allows you to get the best supplier to meet your users needs
• The agreement terms and conditions follow the Public Sector Contract format, and you have scope to make changes to your call-off contract (depending on the complexity of your needs)
• You own the intellectual property rights and source code for the bespoke development, so you can share and re-use these with other public sector buyers
• Suppliers are mostly small and medium sized businesses that use an agile approach when designing your digital products or services.

How you can buy: This is a further competition only agreement. There is no option to direct award. Each procurement can only be awarded to a single supplier. Further information can be found on the CCS website. 

Description: This framework is National Highways’ principal route to market for its corporate IT requirements.

Framework dates: 25/04/2023 – 24/04/2027

Description: All public and third sector organisations can hire a range of quality non-clinical workers through a range of engagement types including fixed-term, temporary positions, and contractors. 

Lots:

• Lot 2: Corporate Functions
• Lot 3: IT Professionals

Benefits:

• NHS England approved route to market for non-clinical temporary staffing
• Maximum agreement rates are fixed and are also limited in line with the NHS England agency price caps
• Achieve larger savings using the built in discounts (you can access discounts for length of placement, by nominating a worker, or by hiring large volumes of workers at the same time)
• Transparent rates and costs for both PAYE and limited company temporary workers, including fixed term appointments
• Quality assurance audits are carried out to make sure worker pre employment checks for NHS roles follow the NHS Employers Check Standards and Skills for Health
• Non-NHS contracting authorities can specify what pre-employment checks they need: for example, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
• Direct award is available and supported by the NHS Workforce Alliance to enable quick access to workers when needed
• Access a range of tools to help you select suppliers including rate card, award support tool and region/skills matrix
• Free to use: you don’t need a membership and framework fees are collected from suppliers.

How you can buy: Option to buy using direct award or further competition. Further information can be found on the CCS website. 

Framework dates: 29/03/2022 – 28/03/2024

Description: All public sector organisations can access recruitment services to hire permanent, fixed term and internal secondment roles through recruitment agencies.

Lots: Lot 2: Non Clinical General Recruitment

Benefits:

• Hiring managers and departments can choose who they engage with from the supplier list and how
• Access capable suppliers, which will lead to increased fill rates and will avoid repeated campaign costs
• Ability to direct award which can save you time and money
• Capped maximum costs which will protect contracting authorities from market price increases
• No hidden costs: methods of attracting candidates, such as social media, digital campaigns and job boards are included in the cost of the service
• Suppliers must work towards civil service diversity and inclusion (D&I) requirements and should help contracting authorities to achieve their own D&I ambitions
• Suppliers must develop employer value proposition (EVP) to ensure candidates want to work for the contracting authorities organisation
• EVP includes any benefits that the worker will receive in return for their work such as pay, learning and development opportunities and the culture of the organisation
• Discounts are available when hiring more than one candidate 
• Support is available from customer and agreement management teams

How you can buy: Option to buy using direct award or further competition. You can also use an Expression of Interest. This will allow your organisation to go to suppliers with your needs and measure their interest. Further information can be found on the CCS website. 

Framework dates: 30/07/2019 – 25/07/2023

Description: All public sector and third sector organisations can access recruitment services to hire temporary and fixed-term roles.

Lots: Lot 3: IT Professionals

Benefits:

• Free of charge: you don’t need a membership and there are no hidden or additional charges
• A wide range of suppliers available including SME’s, specialist niche suppliers and managed solution options
• Quick on-boarding process and direct contact with suppliers to build good working relationships
• Framework rates are set to a maximum; they cannot be increased but may be negotiated to a lower rate between both parties
• The Workforce Alliance conduct inspections to ensure compliance in accordance with NHS Employers Check Standards and Skills for Health
• All public sector organisations can use lots 1 – 6 of this agreement
• Free transfer to permanent (‘temp-to-perm’) after 12 weeks in post, subject to 4 weeks’ notice
• A range of tools available to help with selection such as our skills matrix, award support tool and region and skills matrix
• Transparent rates and costs show charges for both PAYE and limited company temporary workers, including fixed term appointments
• NHS and wider public sector pricing tools
• Ability to direct award – giving choice and flexibility to hiring managers and reducing time to hire by avoiding competing for all requirements
• Management information is available for all customers to detail reported spend and market analysis
• Additional savings: through a range of discounts including nominated worker, volume-based level, prompt payment and length of placement discounts

How you can buy: Option to buy using direct award or further competition. Further information can be found on the CCS website.