Getting on to CCS frameworks (eg TS4)
CCS frameworks provide significant opportunity for companies wanting to secure public sector contracts. Getting on them is not always that easy.
This is a collection of links and resources based on FAQ and where we have been supporting clients. It’s not intended to be a fully detailed ‘how to’ guide – see other articles for detail in the areas you’re interested in. Or get in touch – we like to share.
We use Technology Services 4 (TS4) as an example to illustrate. This one should be released in “Autumn 2024”, but the current bets are for Feb 2025 because of the delay in the Procurement Regulations changes to Feb (if you want to know about that, just drop us a line or book a call).
Learn about CCS
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is the biggest public procurement org in the UK. CCS supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. Think of them as a hugely experienced factory for frameworks amongst other things. For anyone trying to get onto a framework they are a good place to start, with lots of published information and guidance.
They publish their upcoming pipeline so you can see what’s coming.
Like all large opportunities, any CCS have will be published on Find a Tender.
As an example, let’s look at Technology Services 4. A large amount of government business goes through the predecessors (TS3 etc.)
Preparing to bid
When you have some time before the tender is due, you should spend it preparing so the response period itself is less stressful.
Do things like:
Qualify – which frameworks are the right fit for the type of work you want to do and the customers you want? Which ones can you get on, can you beat the competition in any subsequent call-off bids, and are you sure you can deliver good business under them? Look at where your competitors are playing. Systematically qualify any opportunity.
Watch and attend market engagement sessions where CCS explain what’s coming and answer questions. The events will be listed on the framework pages. You can also join trade associations like techUK that hold many joint engagement events and have relevant public sector speakers so you can understand what they are trying to achieve.
Register on the eSourcing portal, which is where you’ll formally register interest for CCS opportunities and get access to all the documents when the tender is published. Other public sector organisations may use other portals, so investigate what the customers you want to work with use.
Review the standard contract and make sure you’re happy to sign up to it – NB Expect changes under the new Procurement Regulations.
Check table stakes – do you have a carbon reduction plan; can you get the right level of financial score (eg Gold or Silver depending on the Lots) on FVRA; do you have the right ISO and similar (look at market engagement advice or old versions of the framework if you’re not sure what will be needed); do you know GDS or the Service Manual if you’re bidding for digital/services; do you know how government thinks about security; do you understand SFIA mapping for the rates?
Know about Social Value because it will be at least 10% of the evaluated marks. CCS guidance is here.
Read old documents for what you are likely to be asked and how you may be evaluated – here are the TS3 documents (for other contracts search in Contracts Finder for the award).
Tender released – focus on the scores
The ITT will ask for all sorts of information (eg the FVRA mentioned above, annual accounts etc. – look at old versions to see the kind of thing). The important bit that you must focus on once you’re happy you meet the table stakes is the evaluated elements – the technical/quality responses where you need to talk about what you will deliver and how.
We should plan to write the response so it scores well, draft it in a way that helps the evaluator give good scores, and review it as an evaluator would.
Answer planning – break down the question into all its parts, and plan how you will answer it. Use something like the template below.
Knowing how to score well – break down the evaluation criteria into the elements you will be assessed against and make sure you write to include them and review to check the scores.
Remember the 7 Cs of good bid writing as a checklist.
Review and review again – get someone independent (another team, an external) to review as if they were the evaluator. They should tell you how to improve your scores.
Remember to farm
Remember, getting on the framework is one thing, now you need to farm the opportunities that come up.
Talk to prospective/current customers about what they will come to market with as a call-off under the framework.
Look for department pipelines where the government publishes what is coming. This is the Home Office Pipeline, so look for your customer/target customer one.
Set up alerts on Find a Tender.
There are also companies with software that aggregates contract information from places like Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, and other government data sources. Some of them also analyse who has what contract and spend data where it’s available. This can make life a little easier if you’re happy to pay for the service. Here are some examples:
Get in contact if you want us to explain any of this. Good luck. You’ll be fine.
And if you’re going to bid, bid like you mean it!