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Government Procurement Service in partnership with the Department for Education has yesterday launched a new framework for the provision of Information Management and Learning Services for Schools, Local Authorities and a broad range of educational stakeholders.

The framework was developed after consultation with schools and local authorities and addresses many of the concerns and considerations organisations have when planning and conducting the procurement of a Management Information System or Learning Platform solution. 

Within the new framework,  suppliers have agreed to more flexible licensing terms, including the ability for customers to purchase licenses without mandatory support and the ability to transfer licenses to a successor body (e.g. when a school becomes an Academy) without any penalties being imposed. 

The framework offers real transparency on costs, pricing for individual solution components where possible, indicative pricing for support requirements and training needs which will allow organisations to benchmark and be more informed purchasers.  It is anticipated that the framework will generate savings of over £1m per year.

In a challenging economic environment, the framework provides an opportunity to procure (or re-procure) solutions in a quick, cost-effective and legally compliant way.  We are happy to offer customers one to one support with their procurement and anyone wishing to receive assistance should contact softwareapplications@gps.gsi.gov.uk. The Department for Education will be providing more specialised educational advice. Customers requiring this should email Department for Education at schools.ictsupport@education.gsi.gov.uk 

Marie-Helene Durif, Head of ICT Sourcing & Category Management at Government Procurement Service commented “The Information Management and Learning Services framework is an important offering to our education customers which will deliver significant savings.  We will continue to work in partnership with the Department for Education, which will provide customers with access to both technical and procurement support to meet their specific local needs.” 

Further information on the framework is available here