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