Tender for Digital Services Dynamic Purchasing System splits into lots for projects, resources and cyber security
Scottish Procurement is setting up a new purchasing framework for digital services for the country’s public sector.
The procurement directorate for the Scottish Government has published a tender for the Digital Services Dynamic Purchasing System, with plans for three lots labelled Digital Projects, Digital Resources and Cyber Security Services.
It said the move is in line with the national digital and cyber security strategies, and aimed at giving organisations access to a wider range of suppliers and supporting agile working.
The Digital Projects lot is focused on initiatives that often need external expertise and involve known outcomes, deliverables and milestones. Scottish Procurement said they are too diverse for all types to be listed, but cited examples such as online services, software and infrastructure engineering, service design and data analytics.
Digital Resources covers specific skills such as project and programme management, user research, data architecture and systems development.
Cyber Security Services covered in the framework include penetration testing, training and assessment, risk assessment and incident management and response.
Each of the lots is expected to include at least five suppliers.
Flexibility factor
The choice of a dynamic purchasing system increases the flexibility of the framework, as it provides scope for some suppliers to join after the initial launch. It is the first of its type to be used for digital services in Scotland and the directorate is planning to review progress after 12 months.
It has estimated the overall value at £10-20 million over two years, depending on the number and outcomes of call-off competitions staged. There is an option for the arrangement to be extended by a year.
The new contract covers some of the ground of the existing Digital and Technology Services Framework, which was launched in May 2015 and is due to expire in May of next year. The current list of suppliers is dominated by big names such as Atos, Capgemini, Northgate, SCC and Sopra Steria.
Frameworks are also in place for ICT Products and Networks.
Image by flickrtickr2009 from Wikimedia, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
