Framework Agreements

Pre-established contractual arrangements
Helping public & third sector organisations to streamline procurement

OUR KEY APPROVALS

Procurement frameworks, or ‘framework agreements, provide pre-established contractual arrangements with approved suppliers. Suppliers are vetted to ensure that they meet the appropriate standards and compliance requirements. The agreement sets the terms, conditions, and pricing for specific products and services, to streamline and simplify procurement. Frameworks often categorise offerings into ‘lots’ to align relevant supplier expertise to customer requirements.  ​

To assist its Higher Education and public sector clients OCF has invested in gaining places on several key procurement frameworks.

Frameworks at a glance

Awarding organisation Framework Focus
Crown Commercial Service Artificial Intelligence DPS AI adoption services
Crown Commercial Service Automation Marketplace DPS Intelligent automation services and solutions
Crown Commercial Service Cloud Compute 2 Core cloud computing services
Crown Commercial Service Cyber Security Services 3 DPS Cyber security solutions
Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 14 Cloud computing services
Hellios Information Limited JOSCAR Across the board//Unrestricted
SUPC Servers, Storage and Solutions National Agreement Servers, storage and related solutions
Crown Commercial Service Spark DPS Emerging technologies
Crown Commercial Service Digital Outcomes & Specialists 7 Application development &
user-centered design services
Frameworks via partners
NHS SBS Digital Workplace Solutions 2 More info >
Crown Commercial Service Technology Products & Assoc. Services More info >
Health Trust Europe ICT Solutions 3 More info >
Constellia Neutral Vendor Solution More info >

 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System)


Crown Commercial Service’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) DPS (framework RM6200) enables organisations to scope a requirement and define an AI-based solution. It encompasses discovery and consultancy services, implementation and support, end-to-end partnerships, and technologies focused on the use of AI.

This enables OCF to provide the following services via bid or tender

  • Strategy and business transformation
  • Problem-solving with tech solutions
  • Resources and training
  • Software licences.
AUTOMATION MARKETPLACE DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System)


Operated by Crown Commercial Service the Automation Marketplace DPS (framework RM 6173) focuses on intelligent automation. It encompasses consultancy, services and licences to streamline processes and systems.

The agreement enables OCF to provide the following services via bid or tender:

  • Strategy and business transformation
  • Problem-solving with tech solutions
  • Resources and training
  • Software licences.
CLOUD COMPUTE 2


Cloud Compute 2 (framework RM 6292) covers all core cloud computing services: Platform-as-a-service (PaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), including compute, storage, and networking, and microservices relating to the usage, security, governance, optimisation, and/or management of a customer’s core services.

It enables direct purchases from technology and resale partners like OCF, as well as cloud service suppliers.

The agreement enables OCF to provide:

  • Value-Added Ancillary Services (Lot 2), which help you optimise your self-sufficiency, security and economic management, as well as resale of core cloud services (ie PaaS, IaaS, cloud native microservices (eg virtualisation tools), and hybrid and 'edge' computing services.
  • Professional cloud services (Lot 3), including cloud consultancy, adoption planning/support, user training, target operating model and cloud strategy development support services, auditing, and the cloud partners' customer and enterprise support.
G-CLOUD 14


G-Cloud 14 (framework RM1557.14) is an online catalogue facilitating the purchase of cloud-based computing services. These include hosting, software, cloud support, as well as many off-the-shelf, pay-as-you-go cloud solutions.

OCF are a Crown Commercial Service supplier under lots 1, 2 and 3, for the provision of the following cloud services:

  • Cloud Hosting (Lot 1), covers infrastructure and platform services for processing and storing data, and/or running software and networking. These services provide the capability to deploy, manage and run software, providing the necessary processing, storage or network resources.
  • Cloud Software (Lot 2), covers applications that are usually accessed over the internet or private network and hosted in the cloud.
  • Cloud Support (Lot 3) refers to support and management services for setting up and maintaining cloud software or hosting services.
CYBER SECURITY SERVICES 3


Cyber Security Services 3 DPS (framework RM3764.3) is available to all UK central government departments, agencies and public bodies, wider public sector organisations and charities. Call-off from this Framework Agreement is by means of further competition only. 

The agreement enables OCF to provide:

  • Security consultancy and advice
  • Penetration testing including the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) assured service CHECK and IT health check
  • Incident management including cyber incident response, disaster recovery, threat intelligence and business continuity disaster recovery (BCDR)
  • Data destruction and IT sanitisation, the process of removing data so it cannot be accessed
  • Managed security services, including crest accredited Security Operations Centre (SOC) and managed detection and response.
JOSCAR (Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register)


JOSCAR is primarily used in the aerospace, defence, and security industries, including the UK Ministry of Defence, NATS, and BAE Systems. The platform provides pre-qualification information about suppliers’ capabilities, accreditations, security protocols, and other relevant details. which can then be accessed by participating buyers.

OCF is a JOSCAR registered supplier, enabling direct award procurement of products and services for:

  • High performance computing
  • Storage
  • Cloud
  • AI and deep learning.
SPARK DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System)


Crown Commercial Service’s Spark DPS (framework RM 6094173) facilitates procuring a wide range of new and emerging technologies.

The agreement enables OCF to offer the following via bid or tender:

  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation
  • Simulated and enhanced environments
  • Engineering/materials science
  • Data
  • Wearables
  • Transport
  • Security.

End Date: 15/12/2029

SERVERS, STORAGE & SOLUTIONS NATIONAL AGREEMENT (SSSNA)


Operated by the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC) the agreement is open to SUPC members as well as the APUC, HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC, and NWUPC consortia. It enables direct procurement of servers, storage and solutions, including converged infrastructure and end-to-end solutions.

OCF is an approved supplier under Lot 5 for the purchase (including leasing) of:

  • Servers and high-performance computing
  • Storage and backup solutions
  • Converged infrastructure solutions
  • End-to-end solutions
  • Including delivery, implementation, and support services.

Please Note: OCF may also be invited to partner with Dell, Lenovo, and Supermicro via the standalone High-Performance Computing Framework, which is equivalent to and replaces Lot 4.

Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7


Crown Commercial Service’s Digital Outcomes & Specialists 7 (framework RM 1043.9) supports delivery across all service manual agile life cycle phases (discovery, alpha, beta, live and retirement) to deliver application development and usercentred design services to build great digital products and services that meet public sector needs.

The agreement is available to all UK central government departments, agencies and public bodies, wider public sector organisations, and charities

Lot 1 - Digital Outcomes: allows buyers to procure suppliers to deliver specific, outcome-based digital projects in line with agile methodologies and government digital standards.

Lot 3 Digital Specialists: allows buyers to procure individual digital specialists with expertise in specific digital roles. These specialists support defined projects, services and transformation initiatives by bringing targeted skills into existing teams.

Call-Off from this framework is by means of direct award or further competition.

End Date: 29.1.2032