This website is being reviewed and updated. Some content may no longer reflect Government policy. All content has been archived and access to key documents will continue to be possible via the archived website; meanwhile a new version of the website will be launched later in the year. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100503135839/http://www.ogc.gov.uk/index.asp
24th March 2010
As announced in the March 2010 Budget, from 25th March 2010, it will be mandatory for all Government departments, agencies, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) (and the bodies over which they have direct control) to include a contract condition requiring their contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days. This action note provides guidance and an appropriate model clause to help the government implement the new requirement. The scope of this requirement covers new contracts for goods and services only.
24th March 2010
A map of the PPM, assurance and procurement landscape has been published. This map aims to bring together in an easy to navigate diagram the different stages of a programme or project and aims to portray the interdependencies between PPM and the procurement lifecycle, assurance activity (such as OGC Gateway reviews) along with risk management. The tool also highlights the need to consider Early Market Engagement activity as part of the strategic process from high level policy to a delivery programme. We have also published updated Policy to Delivery guidance.
24th March 2010
OGC has published a guide entitled Implementing e-Tendering. This document sets out some of the benefits which can be achieved for both contracting authorities and suppliers from the effective use of electronic tendering (e-tendering) in public procurement. It also offers guidance on implementing e-tendering solutions.
24th March 2010
Transformation of public procurement will be key to securing economic growth and recovery in a tighter fiscal environment. To that end, OGC has published a set of 10 Procurement for Growth principles for Departments to use in their non-collaborative procurement activities.
15th March 2010
Guidance on the mandatory exclusion of economic operators (PDF)
8th March 2010
This Action Note relates to new Government policy emerging from a recommendation of the Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) for new contract conditions to help facilitate the collation of Supplier Management Information.
5th March 2010
This Action Note requires Contracting Authorities to ensure that when specifying for internet related services they include a requirement to block access to web pages depicting child sexual abuse.
26th February 2010
This Information Note advises Contracting Authorities on the publication of contract award notices and changes made to the supply2.gov.uk website.
25th February 2010
This Action Note advises Contracting Authorities of the Implications of ECJ case C-406/08 Uniplex v NHS Business Services Authority in regards to time limits for challenges under Public Procurement Regulations.
5th February 2010
This Information Note gives details of proportionate quality based contract award criteria which can be used for the procurement of pig meat products. This PPN will be of particular interest to those involved in food procurement
18th January 2010
This Information Note gives details of a new Buying Solutions framework agreement for products and services from supported factories and businesses.
14th January 2010
This contains information on Scoring Methodology.
11th January 2010
In 2008/09 the public sector spent around £220 billion on the procurement of goods and services. There is an increasing desire to see public sector spend being used to deliver wider policy objectives to achieve "Policy through Procurement" or PtP. There are a number of agendas that public procurement is expected to deliver, including environmental issues, removing barriers to SME participation in public procurement, fostering innovation and promoting equality of opportunity.
This Action Plan can be found on OGC's website.
18th December 2009
OGC has now published comprehensive guidance on the Public Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and Utilities Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2009, which implement the new Remedies Directive. These rules include several important procedural changes to the standstill period, and new penalties for certain serious procurement rule breaches. The rule change affects all new public procurements starting on or after 20 December 2009.
The guidance can be found on the OGC's Policy and Standards Framework.
18th December 2009
OGC's enhanced Contract Management in Complex Projects guide follows on from the NAO Good Practice in Contract Management framework. Further information on government's policy on Contract Management can be found here. Also see OGC's How to Buy Guide covering Complex Procurement.
14th December 2009
This information note provides information and further guidance on embedding skills training and apprenticeships through public procurement.
10th December 2009
The amending Utilities Contracts Regulations take effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 20 December 2009. Separate Scottish Regulations are being prepared by the Scottish Government.
The Regulations and Explanatory Memorandum are available here. Guidance on the new Regulations will follow shortly.
In the interim, any questions should be directed to OGC Service Desk - Tel: 0845 000 4999. Email: servicedesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk
1st December 2009
OGC's latest Procurement Policy Note (13/09) gives the revised threshold values for contracts caught by the procurement Regulations, which come into force from 1st January 2010. Please click here for information.
17th November 2009
The amending Public Contracts Regulations take effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 20 December 2009. A similar set of amendments to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2006 will follow later in November. Separate Scottish Regulations are being prepared by the Scottish Government. The Regulations, Explanatory Memorandum, accompanying Transposition Note and Impact Assessment are available here. Guidance on the new Regulations will follow shortly. In the interim, any questions should be directed to OGC Service Desk 0845 000 4999 servicedesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk.
29th October 2009
OGC has added a useful Contract Management Checklist (PDF 72KB) . This provides a summary of the key points of the NAO/OGC Good practice contract management framework.
27th October 2009
OGC has added new guidance providing an Introdution to Risk Management.
16th October 2009
OGC's Latest procurement Policy Note (11/09) addresses the extent to which the public contracts regulations apply to development agreements.
Please click here for more information.
14th October 2009
The event, which was held at Olswang's Offices in Holborn, central London on 1st October, was attended by more than sixty invited representatives from the public sector, ICT suppliers and professional advisors.
As well as being given the opportunity to hear about the new version of the Model Agreement, attendees also learnt plans for the contract's future development. Also previewed was a new guide which is being jointly drafted by OGC/PUK and Intellect to help in the negotiation of the known "problem" clauses. For more information and access to all slides click here. For access to all OGC's key tools, templates and guidance for major ICT enabled complex projects, click here.
24th August 2009
The Access for All programme has published a number of draft documents for comment and feedback amongst stakeholders. These documents are working towards a number of the recommendations from Accelerating the SME Economic Engine (PDF, 1.96MB). The deadlines for responses run throughout August and September.
OGC has published two procurement policy notes (PPNs) on accreditation (PDF, 25KB) and standards (PDF, 42KB). These address recommendation seven from Accelerating the SME Economic Engine (PDF, 1.96MB)
11th August 2009
OGC has published an updated policy note on timber procurement. The Centre for Expertise in Sustainable Procurement has also created a new area within the Policy and Standards Framework, bringing together both OGC guidance on sustainable procurement and operations and links to useful websites on the subject. This should make it easier for our stakeholders to find the guidance and information they need. Over the coming months you will see these pages develop further to include more guidance and case studies from across government.
24th July 2009
Introduced in 2006, Competitive Dialogue (CD) is still a relatively new procedure. It may take some time for procurers and suppliers to become highly experienced in its use and address the issues which arise. We have consolidated resources on the Competitive Dialogue procedure and added a new case study, the BBC"s Digital Switchover Help Scheme - a £600m project awarded in 2008 to provide help to around 7 million people in making the transition to digital TV. The new section is available in the Policy and Standards Framework on the OGC website.
24th July 2009
We have updated guidance on the completion of OJEU notices to take account of recent developments in case law. This follows an earlier Procurement Policy Note that was issued in April 2009. The new guidance can be found in the Policy and Standards Framework on the OGC website.
15 July 2009
Supplier Feedback Service: (PDF 1.9MB). This document aims to provide suppliers with real examples of how the Supplier Feedback Service can help. It sets out a number of actual scenarios where we have worked with suppliers to address their concerns, though these examples have been anonymised to ensure confidentiality. The examples may also be useful for contracting authorities, to illustrate how their practices can impact on suppliers.
14th July 2009
As part of the work in delivering Recommendation 5 on standardising pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) , we are updating our below threshold PQQ. We are inviting feedback on the current drafts. These are available via the OGC website. Deadline for responses is Wednesday 26th August
9th July 2009
The innovation pamphlet provides guidance to those working in government on how they can utilise its £175bn of purchasing power to drive both buyer and supplier innovation in the procurement process.
A full press release, along with the pamphlet is available on the OGC website
2nd July 2009
The Centre for Expertise in Sustainable Procurement (CESP) has created a new area within the Policy and Standards Framework, bringing together both OGC guidance on sustainable procurement and operations and links to useful websites on the subject. We hope this will make it easier for our stakeholders to find the guidance and information they need. Over the coming months these pages will be developed further to include more guidance and case studies from across government.
1st July 2009
OGC has published updated guidance on the roles of the Business Change Manager and Senior Responsible Owner. This reflects a greater emphasis on the importance of contract management.
30th June 2009
OGC's Major Projects team is producing a series of bulletins focusing on different topics, based on learning from Gateway™ Reviews, the Major Projects Review Group and other assurance methodologies across Government. The first series is available on the OGC website
25th June 2009
OGC has updated its policy statements relating to Social Issues and Equalities. Both policies are available on the Policy and Standards Framework .
OGC has also published a policy statement on Prompt Payment
1st June 2009
OGC have published a policy statement on Prompt Payment. The policy statement can be accessed via the OGC website.
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Page last updated: 2010-03-31
