MASS are now an approved supplier on the Government Digital Marketplace, G-Cloud 13 framework!
What does this mean for buyers?
As a public sector purchaser, you can run a procurement through the G-Cloud framework all the way through to award. MASS offer Cloud Software and associated services for Facilities Management. We are now easy to find and procure from, via the framework. This makes your purchasing route easier and quicker, via a mechanism of assessing services rather than running a tender process.
It is estimated that the framework has had a massive impact on public sector procurement. For every £1 spent on the framework, £1 is saved.
G-Cloud has provided a standard basis for IT procurement, for example in contractual terms and conditions and by increasing transparency.
You can find MASS on the supplier list here:
Suppliers starting with M – Cloud hosting, software and support – Digital Marketplace
Buying services through the G-Cloud framework
You can use the Digital Marketplace to buy cloud services through the G-Cloud framework.
A framework is an agreement between government and suppliers. Buying services through frameworks is faster and cheaper than entering into individual procurement contracts.
All public sector organisations, including agencies and arm’s length bodies, can use the Digital Marketplace. Check the customer unique reference number (URN) list to see if you’re eligible.
What you can buy
There are around 31,000 cloud services on the G-Cloud framework, divided into the following categories (lots):
- cloud hosting – platform or infrastructure services for processing and storing data, running software or networking. For example, content delivery networks or load balancing services
- cloud software – applications that are accessed over the internet and hosted in the cloud. For example, accounting tools or customer service management software
- cloud support – services to help you set up and maintain your cloud software or hosting services. For example, migration services or ongoing support
Before you start
Before you start your search for cloud services on the Digital Marketplace you should:
- write a list of requirements
- check if you need approval to spend money on a service
- start an audit trail
Write a list of your requirements
Work with someone who will use the service, buying specialists and technical experts to prepare a list of ‘must-haves’ and ‘wants’. These requirements will help you decide which search category, keywords and filters to use.
When writing your requirements, you should consider the:
- funds you have available to buy the service
- technical and procurement requirements of the project
- criteria on which your choice will be based
Read the government service manual guidance on choosing technology.
How to buy: a step-by-step guide
When you have written your requirements, use the Digital Marketplace to search for cloud services, save details of your search and download a copy of your search results.
After you have assessed the services you found, use the Digital Marketplace to declare the outcome of your search.
- Save a search
- Export your results
- Start assessing services
- Award a contract
- Submit a customer benefit record
Evaluation and award
There are two ways buyers can evaluate and award a contract on G-Cloud.
Firstly, if after a compliant search the buyer ends up with only one supplier on G-Cloud that meets their needs, they can award directly.
When buyers are faced with multiple suppliers that meet their requirements, they can make the final decision in two ways:
- choose the supplier that meets the needs and that has the lowest price
- Use the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) process. The buyer will evaluate multiple suppliers against a set of predetermined criteria.
Guidance shows the following criteria to be applied if using the MEAT process:
- Whole-life cost, cost-effectiveness, price and running costs.
- Technical merit and functional fit.
- After-sales and service management.
- Non-functional characteristics
The final selection should be based on best fit.
