WIREDGOV

Bloom Procurement Services Ltd today announced it has been successful in winning a new digital and information technology framework run by the National Procurement Service for Wales (NPS).

The company won the right to deliver the single supplier framework after submitting a competitive proposal in a national procurement process, in partnership with Atebion Solutions. The Agile Digital and ICT Resource Agreement is an all-Wales framework for the provision of resources and solutions on a Statement of Works (SoW) basis.

Known as ADIRA, the agreement was created to respond to needs across the whole of the Welsh public sector; providing a fast, compliant, cost-effective and simple method of finding the right organisation for the job.  This framework supports a key objective of the Welsh Government by encouraging smaller businesses to bid for opportunities; contributing to a Prosperous Wales.

The framework runs from October 2018 for a period of up to four years and is expected to be worth a maximum of £120m for all projects delivered. The framework is available across the Welsh public sector, with the Welsh Government expected to be a key user of the new approach.

The framework uses a catalogue of pre-defined SoW’s to help buyers benefit from best practice in previous procurements. Using the SoW, based on an output approach buyers can be confident that the resources procured for projects will be time-bound and discreet, simplifying regulatory compliance.

Delivered by Bloom, in partnership with Atebion Solutions Limited, ADIRA is an OJEU compliant framework designed to supplement customer organisations’ internal capacity and capabilities.  It provides access to a large, pre-accredited expert supply chain with the ability to on-board small and local Welsh providers who can provide digital and ICT resources to the Welsh public sector.

Atebion Solutions, a multi-award-winning local authority trading company wholly owned by Cardiff Council, will liaise directly with Welsh public sector buyers to understand their needs and to engage and recruit Welsh small businesses to the supply chain.

Acting as a neutral partner, Bloom provides the Welsh public sector access to a digital & ICT marketplace and provides full management of all contractual, commercial and delivery risk through a single customer contract. This approach benefits both the customer and the supplier and is delivered with a standard, transparent fee giving price confidence.  This is a key feature of this new framework.

David Shields, Bloom CEO, said “At Bloom, we are delighted to have won the right to deliver this innovative new approach to Digital and ICT procurement for Wales.  This contract builds upon our established expertise in providing Digital and ICT services across the UK Public Sector and now enables Bloom to introduce new and innovative suppliers to the Welsh Public Sector in support of Welsh Government strategy”.

Steve Robinson, Managing Director of Atebion Solutions highlighted the unique benefits of the framework for customers and suppliers; “smaller technology companies have historically found engaging with the public sector costly and time-consuming, often having to deliver services as a sub-contractor to larger companies. Likewise, public sector buyers can find their choice of supplier limited through traditional frameworks or requiring a lengthy and costly procurement exercise. Through this framework we intend to remove these barriers making it easier for public sector buyers to appoint providers from the resource pool”

Unique to the Welsh public sector, ADIRA is available for use across Wales by any public sector body, including Local Authorities, Welsh Government, Higher and Further Education Bodies, Schools, Police and Emergency Services and the NHS. Housing Associations and Third Sector bodies can also access the framework.

Notes to editors:

Bloom specialises in bringing together a community of customers and suppliers to help the public sector buy professional services better. Established in 2012, Bloom delivers professional services requirements using a Statement of Works approach through national public sector procurement frameworks run by NEPO, NPS Wales and CCS. Bloom is a trusted partner to around 200 public sector organisations and thousands of suppliers across the UK.

Atebion Solutions Limited is a Cardiff Council wholly owned local authority trading company established to deliver procurement and commercial services to the public sector.  Atebion people are multi award winning and have transformed procurement in Cardiff Council through the successful implementation of category management and utilisation of technology to deliver savings of £40m over the last five years. Atebion has a wealth of category specific knowledge including Social Care, Construction and Environmental Services, Corporate, Transport and Facilities Management.

For further information, please contact sarah.willis@bloom.services or on 07825 997 605.

www.bloom.services