WIREDGOV

A new procurement framework that provides the entire public sector with a simple and legally-compliant means of purchasing cloud solutions has been launched by NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS).

The innovative Cloud Solutions Framework helps the NHS, local authorities, police, educational establishments, and any other public sector organisation, to access the highest-quality cloud services at best value-for-money from 24 carefully selected suppliers.

The streamlined and OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) compliant route to market enables any public body to simplify and quicken the procurement process via four different Lots, covering a wide range of cloud support that includes both bespoke and off-the-shelf solutions:

• Lot 1, 'Solution Design and Consultancy', focuses on the initial support ahead of cloud implementation, including an analysis of an organisation's 'as is' position, cloud readiness assessments, architecture design and migration planning. This is particularly useful for any organisation considering migration from outdated legacy infrastructure to public or private cloud, or where the first steps have already been taken and enhanced support is needed to move to the next stage of adoption.  
• Lot 2, 'Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS) and Software as a service (SaaS)', covers public cloud and/or private and hybrid cloud hosting, processing, storage, networks and applications. The services here are for organisations looking to source thecore infrastructure for cloud computing with a range of connectivity options.
• Lot 3, 'Cloud Support Services', includes real time support, access to professional expertise, plus a wide range of ongoing or ad-hoc specialist support services. Organisations can access services that include everything from on-site management to light touch remote support, which enables the retention of in-house management.
• Lot 4, 'End-to-end Cloud Solution', helps an organisation find a trusted partner that can offer complete start-to-finish support for its cloud journey.

The framework runs until September 2021 (with an option to extend for a further two years) and enables public sector users to make direct awards or run mini competitions to best suit their individual needs.

To reflect the fast-evolving nature of the sector, the framework also encourages suppliers to bring forward innovative new products and solutions throughout the life of the agreement to benefit the public sector.

Phil Davies, Procurement Director at NHS SBS, said:

"In what is an incredibly crowded and complex market our aim was to significantly simplify the procurement process for the NHS and wider public sector.

"To ensure framework users have access to the very best cloud services at the most competitive price, we carried out a rigorous tender process and limited the number of suppliers on the framework to the 10 or 20 most outstanding in each Lot. The result is a specialist pool of 24 leading suppliers, which provide the greatest expertise and value-for-money to the public sector.

"The framework is structured in a way that includes a full range of cloud support services. It means that regardless of where a public body is on its journey into the cloud, or how straightforward or complex its requirements, purchasing the right support is simple, cost-effective and OJEU-compliant."

A full list of suppliers on the new NHS SBS Cloud Solutions Framework is available here.

For further information contact the NHS SBS team at NSBS.contractenquiries@nhs.net or 0161 212 3940.