Clarity Secures Government Procurement Service Framework Agreement

July 2011

Clarity has secured a framework agreement through a Government Procurement Service (formerly Buying Solutions) tender process for local government software application solutions; encompassing highways and transport solutions that are used to support the administration, management and enforcement of road safety, rights of way, traffic, fares, highway equipment and works management (see http://www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/catalogue/suppliers.html?contract_id=1230&from=contracts).

Consequently, both of Clarity's FastForm products (Online Bookings and Ticketing Management) can now be purchased directly through Government Procurement Service.

Government Procurement Service has already completed a competitive tendering exercise in order to establish the framework and purchases can now be made through this procurement route that are fully in compliance with European tendering rules. This approach has been implemented by the UK government in order to help UK public sector organisations improve efficiency and complete procurements in a short timescale, saving the time and costs involved in undertaking a full OJEU tendering exercise.

Government Procurement Service provides the following benefits:

• Best Practice Procurement - Each of the suppliers on the framework has been subject to a rigorous procurement process, ensuring they offer the scope and quality of services required by customers in the public sector. Pre-agreed terms and conditions offer customers sound contractual safe guards, whilst saving customers the cost and effort involved in drafting their own contract terms.
• Value for Money - Competitive rates have been secured and are fixed for 2 years. Transparent pricing structures and the facility to conduct further competition helps customers to ensure that value for money is consistently achieved.
• Legally Compliant - The framework is compliant with the new EU procurement directives as well as UK procurement regulations.
• Collaboration and Partnership - Government Procurement Service has consulted with colleagues from across the public sector to deliver a procurement solution which meets the needs of its customers.
• Efficiency - Frameworks enable customers to complete procurements in a short timescale, saving the time and costs involved in undertaking a full OJEU tendering exercise. Straightforward ordering processes and the GPS website competitive tendering facility makes the framework extremely simple to access and use.

The Local Government Software Application Solutions framework agreement was designed in consultation with Local Government stakeholders for the provision of Software Application Solutions that support the various functions of Local Governments e.g. Planning, Social Care. Government Procurement Service (formerly Buying Solutions) is working in partnership with Pro5 to deliver efficient procurement solutions for local government and to bring greater savings through collaboration across the UK public sector.