Fixed Telephony Services
Procurement Scotland is currently working towards putting a national arrangement in place for fixed telephony services, including call minutes, line rental, and some associated services. This project was identified through extensive stakeholder engagement in 2008 and 2009, and there has been a very positive response to date, with over 40 organisations expressing an interest in participating. Through collaboration across the Scottish public sector, there is an opportunity for substantial cost savings through tariff reduction and standardisation.
This requirement will be addressed by establishing a multi-supplier framework agreement through the OJEU restricted procedure. We are keen to encourage competition in this area, and will be holding a supplier event in order to raise awareness of this opportunity. Further details on the supplier event can be found here.
In addition to driving value for money for the Scottish public sector, this project will demonstrate the potential for collaboration in the telecoms category, and act as a starting point for future collaborative projects.
Scope
The scope of the framework includes:
Voice minutes
Line rentals
Additional related services such as DDI provision, integrated fixed-mobile telephony services, non-geographic numbers, 118 enquiries, billing services and cost management facilities
For the avoidance of doubt, the following products/services are not in scope and cannot be offered under this framework agreement
Key objectives
- To eliminate significant tariff disparities across the Scottish public sector, achieving the best possible rates available - for example, a sample of current call tariffs from Scottish public bodies shows a range from around 0.8 pence/min to over 1.5 pence/min for peak local calls.
To achieve lower prices, utilising the combined volume of participating public bodies.
To streamline and standardise account and service management.
To obtain better management information in order to increase efficiencies in usage and management of telecoms resources.
To maximise collaboration with Scottish public sector organisations, with a view to determining potential future opportunities in the telecoms category.
Achievements to date
Next steps
A supplier event to raise awareness of the project was held in mid July.
PQQ has been complete and evaluated. ITT scheduled for release w/c 26/10/09.
Based on current project plan, we envisage the framework being operational during Q1 2010.
- A supplier event to raise awareness of the project will be was held in mid July.
- PQQ has been complete and evaluated. ITT scheduled for release w/c 26/10/09. Based on current project plan, we envisage the framework being operational during Q1 2010. Procurement Scotland and their partner organisations have concluded the Pre-qualification assessment for Fixed Telephony Services. The following nine suppliers are being taken through to the ITT stage -
Affiniti
Azzurri Communications Ltd
BT plc
Cable & Wireless
Opal Telecoms
Telefónica 02
Telewest Ltd
Uniworld Communications
Vodafone Group
Further information can be obtained from Gordon Whittaker email Gordon.Whittaker@scotland.gsi.gov.uk ; tel 0131 244 0453
Future projects
The fixed telephony services project is designed to offer a benefit to as many organisations as possible, in an area where requirements are relatively generic. Moving forward, the long term aim is help all Scottish public sector organisations make progress towards a more integrated, efficient ICT environment. Telecoms and networks projects will play a significant part in this. Indeed, many organisations have already expressed a strong interest in this area.
More information can be found here.