WIREDGOV

Wakefield based buying organisation YPO is helping the public sector save over £20m on its water bill over the next four years after joining forces with the government’s procurement agency, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS).

From 1 April 2017, most business and public sector organisations will be able to choose which company supplies their water and associated services like automated meter reading, leak detection and customer service. YPO, the UK’s largest public sector buying organisation, together with The Energy Consortium, ESPO procurement services, NEPO (North East Procurement Organisation), West Mercia Energy, the MoD, and the government’s procurement agency, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) will bring the largest public sector water framework agreement to the UK market.

Central government as well as schools, colleges, universities, museums, housing associations, councils, the blue light services and NHS Trusts are all among those eligible to access the framework.

YPO’s managing director, Simon Hill said, “Following the opening up of the water market, this is the first agreement of its kind in the UK. It offers public sector organisations a fully compliant route to securing the best value supplier to deliver essential water services. All suppliers on the framework have been robustly assessed on their capability to deliver to a high standard.  By using the framework, public organisations benefit from a shorter procurement process, reduced operational costs and increased efficiency.

“The water industry is also highly legislated and regulated. Using a framework to procure services will save public sector organisations time and money.” 

The multi-supplier framework will be live and available for the opening of the market in April, running for three years with the option to extend by a further 12 months.

Through CCS’s web platform, the first e-auction on behalf of interested customers will take place in May 2017 with further procurement opportunities to follow.