Data and Application Solutions (DAS) contracts have been successfully awarded and the Framework will go live for customers on Friday 22nd February
The agreement will help public sector organisations buy, implement, test and deliver a broad range of software solutions, as well as necessary hardware and professional services, in one procurement.
This is the first CCS framework to give customers the choice to buy cloud and on-premise software or a combination of both under one agreement.
DAS is split into five groups to make it easier to search, with 14 lots covering the following areas:
- Enterprise applications
- Local government
- Health and social care
- Police and emergency services
- Education
Here are some common questions about the DAS Framework:
Does the contract length of 7 years include implementation or does it follow implementation?
It is a maximum of seven years from the date both parties (you and the supplier) sign the call off order form.
Did the Cabinet allow SMEs to bid or were they put off by the 7 year contracts?
They have worked closely with suppliers via the pre-market engagement and ITT process to ensure that opportunity to bid was given to all.
If a company currently uses a cloud supplier and wishes to continue with the same offering through another reseller, is that possible through this Framework?
The previouis procurement method used to obtain your current service offering has no impact on your ability to use the Framework to extend your use of the product.
Please could you indicate the length of the award process? From point of issue to award?
Length of any competition will have a number of organisation specific factors. I would suggest that the minimum time any competition is with suppliers is 2/3 weeks and the maximum 8/10 weeks.
What does DAS offer?
As well as offering cloud and on-premises software or a combination of both, DAS also allows customers the choice of further competition or direct award depending on the nature of the requirement.
For example, a customer could run a further competition for HR and Finance modules as well as a compatible ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) application. In addition to software licenses, the customer can also include the installation and implementation to integrate into their environment as well as ongoing support and maintenance of the software.
Or, using direct award the customer could buy a support renewal for a software product that can only be placed directly with the publisher (i.e. where no alternative support routes exist or are commercially viable). This can be accessed through the catalogue hosted on our Government eMarketplace platform.
DAS is available to all central government departments, their arm’s length bodies, devolved administrations, the wider public sector and third sector organisations.
