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The new framework agreement, which was set up with the help of a number of Welsh public sector organisations, was announced today (Thurs 19th June) by the First Minister Rhodri Morgan. It will mean public sector organisations across Wales joining forces to buy common items such as Stationery, Business Machines and Copier Paper.
The First Minister said:
This agreement is going to make a real difference to organisations across Wales ranging from the largest Local Authorities, through to the smallest primary school.
The new framework agreement will result in average savings of 55% on stationery and 28% on paper, equating to nearly £2 million per year, the equivalent of an extra 80 teachers or nurses for Wales. It will provide real value for money for the people of Wales and enable savings to be targeted at front line services.
Suppliers bid fiercely for most of the day at an exciting and competitive e-auction event to be part of the new framework where price was not the only factor taken into consideration. The rankings at e-auction reflected not only the suppliers’ prices but also their quality scores from the tender.
The award criteria on which suppliers were scored included product quality and service alongside issues such as sustainable procurement, e-procurement capabilities, recycled paper and environmentally-friendly stationery products and the ethical aspects of supply chains. In addition, it was a minimum requirement that paper supplied must come from a legal and sustainable source and all business machines be ‘Energy Star’ compliant.
As a result of splitting the tender into regional lots to make the tender more accessible to SMEs, a Welsh business was successful in being awarded onto the framework which will bring benefits to the local economy and support jobs in Wales.
The First Minister added:
Collaborative procurement in Wales is providing a real solution to managing the public purse. Public sector organisations in Wales are joining together to buy common items and gaining massive savings as a result at the same time reducing duplication and delivering better economic, environmental and social outcomes. Not only does this mean cash savings on public procurement but a Welsh business has benefited from getting on to the procurement framework. This has been a remarkably successful ‘Made In Wales’ initiative!
Value Wales is running a programme of collaborative procurement, with various partners. The all-Wales Sourcing Strategy was signed up to in November 2007 and lays out a clear plan for future developments.
Thursday 19th June
