Published date: 6 April 2018

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 20 April 2018

Contract summary

Industry

  • IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 72000000

  • Supply services of personnel including temporary staff - 79620000

Location of contract

London

Value of contract

£102,750

Procurement reference

CCCB18A01 Provision of Press Office Services

Published date

6 April 2018

Closing date

20 April 2018

Contract start date

1 May 2018

Contract end date

2 November 2020

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

It is necessary to retain press support that is independent of government and our sponsoring department (Cabinet Office) as the three bodies supported either regulate or interpret government policy. At times it is necessary to publically voice concerns about those policies or to disagree with the government and/or civil service.

There is an on-going need for press office support to either one or more of the bodies, however time demand varies week to week including out of hours cover. Specialist media handling skills are crucial and this service has historically been provided under Contract. It is not feasible to employ a senior part-time press officer on the basis of 24/7 cover where hours worked in any period are not regular or consistent. Similarly the provision of holiday/absence cover would require a second suitably qualified member of staff, which would be unaffordable.

The inability to respond effectively to media requests or emerging stories would risk damage to the reputation of the relevant body and lay the government open to criticism on some key proprietary and standards safeguards.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

How to apply Instructions to Potential Providers:
Potential Providers must first be registered on the Crown Commercial Service e-Sourcing Suite in order to respond to the Procurement. If you have not yet registered on the e-Sourcing Suite, this can be done online at https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link 'Register for CCS e-Sourcing'.
Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so at the Invitation to Tender stage.
Potential Providers should note that it could take up to 10 working days to obtain a DUNS number.
Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at:
http://gps.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/i-am-supplier/respond-tender
Once you have registered on the e-Sourcing Suite, you will need to express your interest by emailing ExpressionOfInterest@Crowncommercial.gov.uk.
The dead line for expressing an interest in the Request for Information event
is Friday 13th April 2018 at 11:00
Your email must clearly state:
 the name/reference of this procurement
 the name of the registered supplier; and
 the name and contact details
Crown Commercial Service will then process your registration and assign your organisation to the opportunity. The registered user will receive a notification email to alert them once this has been done.
It is advised however that Potential Providers register as soon as practically possible in order to receive the Invitation to Tender and have a sufficient amount of time to respond. Crown Commercial Service is not able to offer any extensions to the advertised procurement timetable.
For technical assistance on use of the e-Sourcing Suite please contact the Helpdesk:
Freephone: 0345 010 3503
Email: supplier@Crowncommercial.gov.uk

About the buyer

Address

9th Floor, The Capital Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L39PP
England

Email

info@crowncommercial.gov.uk