Planned new framework to provide wide range of services for all public sector organisations
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has begun the procurement process for a range of network services, indicating that it could lead to spending of up to £5 billion by public sector organisation.
The organisation has published a prior information notice for a Network Services 2 framework, to be available to all of the public sector. It will include services that could be used with the HCSN and the existing Public Services Network (PSN), although the latter can only be procured alongside HCSN connectivity.
CCS has not yet drawn up a collection of lots for which services will be offered, saying that this will be decided after the initial discussion with potential suppliers and customers. But it has pointed to a range of relevant telecommunications services.
These include data access, mobile, email, internet service provision, content filtering, intruder detection, video and audio conferencing, unified communications and call centre services. There are also likely to be supporting services including security, information assurance, acquisition, technology audit and site surveys.
The agreement will cover services that are compliant with the PSN and some at lower security levels.
This story was amended on 12 April following further clarification from CCS.
Image by Rozszerzonej Gwiazdy, public domain
