copernicus g cloud framework intro for sme's 2013 v2
TRANSCRIPT
G-CloudIntroduction for SME’s
Copernicus International Consulting
Public Procurement Team
The G-Cloud framework is an innovative procurement route to allow public sector customers to procure Cloud-based ICT Services
The simplified procurement process of this framework has allowed 462 suppliers to provide a catalogue of their offering accessible through a single Portal by all public sector bodies in 2013
350 (75%) of the 462 suppliers on the G-Cloud framework are SMEs
GCloud – SME benefits/opportunities
At Tender Stage:
• No pre-qualification stage used for G-Cloud• Award to all qualifying suppliers – not just a top-sliced pre-set
number.• Not the typical host of ‘qualitative’ questions requiring essay answers at tender stage. Most questions require a Yes/No type answer. • Previous artificial barriers such as high financial standing and
evidence of past experience were all removed.• T&C’s much reduced with almost everything stripped out reducing the complexity for suppliers and making easier to understand.• Suppliers are able to use own terms as part of call-off, not forced to take on onerous government terms.• Opportunity to participate in G-Cloud heavily publicised: Apply camps held to encourage and show suppliers how to participate, use of social media to further communicate.
Why is G-Cloud so different from traditional frameworks?
During Operational Phase:
• Suppliers are in control of their catalogue entries at all times
• Suppliers do not need to respond to lengthy tenders at call-off as customers can procure straight from the G-Cloud catalogue
• Existing information such service descriptions can re-used in next iterations of G-Cloud frameworks
• Rollover option for next procurement – no need to fill out documentation again if services remain unchanged
Why is G-Cloud so different from traditional frameworks?
New suppliers not on G-Cloud• Get DUNS number (needed for steps below)
• Register with GPS eSourcing suite (via GPS website) needed to take part in Tender
• Register with GEM Dynamic marketplace – needed for catalogue maintenance
• Think about pricing and product positioning – view Cloudstore to see what other suppliers have done.
Existing suppliers• View your cloud catalogue entry and supporting documentation with
a critical eye from a customer perspective, does it make sense, is it easy to read and understand, are the key elements of pricing, price bands, service levels etc easy to find ?
• Consider use of tables and diagrams to convey above information.
• Ensure everything is transparent, in particular pricing and service elements. E.g. do not quote 1 price and expect a customer to pay more for critical components of the service you haven’t mentioned.
How SME’s can make the most out of Cloudstore
Dealing with customers
• Guidance is available on the gcloud.civilservice website. G-Cloud iterations are OJEU compliant frameworks and are legal
• There is no upper spend limit on G-Cloud other than the estimated capacity set at OJEU time of £100m. • All public sector bodies can use the framework; quick rule of
thumb is if the customer is public funded or (for charities) provides citizen services then can probably use G-Cloud.
Dealing with GPS• Management Information returns are vitally important for GPS to track progress of implementation of Cloud-based services within Government (returns due monthly on the 7th of each month).• GPS are always keen to hear about success stories, particularly those involving a customer saving money, and would like to develop new case studies
Advice for SME’s
