Crown Commercial Service
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Innovative pan-public sector air programme will streamline supply chain

Innovative pan-public sector air programme will streamline supply chain

OGCBUYING.SOLUTIONS News Release (BSAP22/10) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 28 October 2008

OGCbuying.solutions has today announced plans to deliver a pan-public sector air programme that will streamline the supply chain and improve efficiency in air travel procurement.

By contracting directly with the airline industry, this new approach will strip out additional supply chain costs and create more transparent supplier relationships. The programme will deliver the best possible air travel offering to the public sector and, through this closer relationship with the industry, identify further opportunities for improved services, working practices and cost savings going forward.

The initiative will build on the success of the existing Government Travel Group (GTG) air deal that is owned by Buying Solutions in partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, which is due to expire in 2009. This innovative development will give the public sector much greater autonomy in its air travel arrangements.

In an example of successful collaborative working, several public sector departments with significant air travel requirements have committed to supporting the project. Led by Buying Solutions, this stakeholder group is currently engaging the airline industry and the receptive response indicates that this will be a highly successful and beneficial venture for all involved.

A competitive tendering process will be undertaken later this year and the programme is expected to go live in the middle of next year.

Derek Rothwell, Buying Solutions' Director Business Services Procurement, said today:

"This project represents innovation and new ways of working in the way the pubic sector buys air travel and I am very positive about the benefits the air programme will deliver. I am happy to be working alongside our collaborative partners in central civil government and the wider public sector whose commitment, knowledge and experience adds a great deal to the project".

Notes to Editors

For more details about Buying Solutions Travel procurement services, visit the website at http://www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk or telephone the Customer Service Desk on 0845 410 2222 and ask to speak to a member of the Travel Services team.

OGCbuying.solutions is the trading arm of the Office of Government Commerce, which is itself an office of HM Treasury.

It provides public sector procurement professionals with a route to the products and services they need to maximise procurement efficiency and value for money. Its contracts and framework agreements offer substantial savings through significant buying power, economies of scale and strategic partnerships.

Rigorous tendering and evaluation processes ensure that products and services are checked for quality, price competitiveness, fitness for purpose and compliance with statutory requirements. These products and services are available through OGCbuying.solutions' framework agreements, managed services and other procurement arrangements.

More details are available on the website: http://www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk

The Office of Government Commerce is an independent office of HM Treasury, established to help Government deliver best value from its spending. The OGC works with central Government departments and other public sector organisations to provide policy standards and guidance on best practice in procurement, projects and estate management, and monitors and challenges Departments' performance against these standards, grounded in an evidence base of information and assurance.

It promotes and fosters collaborative procurement across the public sector to deliver better value for money and better public services; and it provides innovative ways to develop Government's commercial and procurement capability, including leadership of the Government Procurement Service.

More details are available on the website: http://www.ogc.gov.uk

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