Aggregation

Tap into our national buying power

We recognise that with budgets and resources more squeezed than ever, public procurement is no easy task. At CCS, we offer a complimentary aggregation service, also known as collective buying , to help take some of the pressure off. By combining the similar needs of customers from across the public sector, we can increase our national buying power to achieve savings that would not be possible by individual purchasing.

Our team of experts deliver social and economic value on a day-to-day basis, so are able to take care of the process for you to get the best possible deal, which releases your internal resources to focus on other areas of your business or on more complex procurements.

Find out how we can help you make smarter buying decisions.

Get in touch

Find out how aggregation works

Current opportunities

Take a look at our current opportunities. We update this list regularly, but if you would like to join our mailing list to find out about aggregation opportunities you can send us your details.

IT hardware

With more public sector organisations operating from home due to COVID-19, there is greater demand for additional IT hardware to enable organisations to function outside of their office environments.

To support this, we’re running a national further competition to help with the purchase of IT hardware under our Technology Products and Associated Services (RM6068) framework, to help organisations get the best possible deal. 

This competition covers products and services including (but not limited to):

  • laptops, hybrid devices, 2 in 1 devices
  • desktops, thin clients
  • tablet devices (including iPads and Microsoft Surface devices)
  • monitors, AV kit
  • peripherals (such as keyboards, mice, cables, adapters, sleeves, cases, bags)
  • mobile phone handsets (note: you may not procure the sim card and contract via this aggregation)
  • services (such as asset tagging, extended warranty, imaging, storage)

Why get involved?

In our latest aggregation for IT hardware, we helped 8 customers save over £810,000 on equipment such as laptops, desktops and tablets, which was an average saving of 21%.

Read our latest case study to find out more. 

Who can join?

The opportunity is available to all public and third sector organisations.

Existing consortiums, customer user groups / forums are welcome to join this procurement – where more appropriate, we can work with such groups to deliver an individual procurement that aggregates only across their membership.

Programme of Events

  • spring 2021 – customer requirements need to be submitted by 29 January 2021. The procurement will be run in February 2021 and the award date will be 3 March 2021. Customers should expect to receive their kit between 5 March 2021 – 5 March 2022
  • summer 2021 – customer requirements need to be submitted by 31 May 2021. The procurement will be run in June 2021 and the award date will be 2 July 2021. Customers should expect to receive their kit between 7 July 2021 – 7 July 2022
  • autumn 2020 – customer requirements need to be submitted by 30 September 2021. The procurement will be run in October 2021 and the award date will be 3 November 2021. Customers should expect to receive their kit between 8 November 2021 – 8 November 2022

Join the opportunity

Download our customer webinar to lean more about our latest opportunity.

If you would like to learn more or request a copy of the customer requirement template, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘IT hardware aggregation’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

IT hardware for local authorities (EA21)

In 2016, we ran a national further competition for IT hardware using our Technology Products framework, which has since expired and has been replaced by Technology Products and Associated Services (RM6068).

A total of 34 local authorities took part in the opportunity, saving between 2 – 44.37% on IT hardware and associated services, which was measured against a combination of current prices and independent third party benchmarks. 

The IT Contract Board, who represented the 34 participants, have once again decided to aggregate their requirements along with other local authorities, so that they can purchase similar requirements for IT hardware including laptops, desktops, monitors and tablets over a 2 year period. 

Who can join?

Local government bodies with a requirement for IT hardware. 

Project timeline

Please note the below timeline is provisional and may be subject to change.

Customer requirements will need to be submitted by January 2021. The procurement will be run in February/March 2021 with the eAuction*  taking place in May 2021. Finally, customers should expect the final award to take place in June/July 2021.

*An electronic auction (eAuction) is a procurement tool that uses web-based software to allow potential suppliers to compete online, in real time, to provide prices for the goods/services under auction. 

Join the opportunity

If you’re a local authority and would like to find out more or get involved in our latest opportunity, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘EA21 IT hardware aggregation’’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

Read our latest article to find out more.

Microsoft licenses

From time to time we run procurements to aggregate demand for products and services and would like to run a similar process for organisations that might benefit from this. 

We are therefore looking to run a competition to choose a Licensing Solution Partner (LSP) that would then provide a single procurement mechanism for Microsoft Enterprise Agreements for subscription licenses, for the likes of Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Azure Services for any customer whose current agreements expire in 2021. 

Join the opportunity

If you would like to find out more or are interested in joining our latest opportunity, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘Microsoft LSP aggregation’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

Mobile voice and data services

For many public sector organisations, the routine purchase of mobile voice and data services can lead to varying contract end dates. This makes it difficult to switch suppliers to gain better value, as savings may be reduced due to early termination charges. 

To support customers with their mobile voice and data requirements, we’re running a national further competition under lot 6 of our Network Services 2 (RM3038) framework, to help organisations achieve savings which would not be reduced by early termination of existing contracts. 

The benefits of joining this opportunity are:

  • phased migration across a 12 month period – the requirement is for 80% of nominated connections to transition to the winning bidder within the first year of the contract award. This provides flexibility when existing contracts are yet to terminate and helps to avoid early termination charges
  • co-terminus contract term – all connections will cease on a common end date, helping to prevent inconsistent contract end dates to simplify future procurement
  • ‘build your own’ tariff approach – the aggregated procurement allows for a base connection with no line rental charge, negating zero-use costs

Why get involved?

In our latest aggregation for mobile voice and data services in February 2020, we helped customers from the health and education sectors save on average 72% compared to current customer spend, which is the equivalent saving of £1.1 million for those who took part. 

Read our latest case study to find out more. 

Who can join?

This opportunity is available to all public and third sector organisations. For this particular aggregation, please consider the following:

  • you have a requirement that can or must be fulfilled between April 2021 and July 2021 – this is not suitable for those with urgent requirements. 
  • are confident that your requirement will be fulfilled through this competition.
  • are able to accept the network coverage provided by the suppliers listed under lot 6 of our Network Services 2 (RM3038) agreement. 
  • are in a position to migrate at least 80% of your nominated connections to the winning bidder within 12 months of award of the aggregated procurement.

Project timeline

Customer requirements need to be submitted by 31 January 2021. The procurement will be run in February 2021 with award expected in March 2021. Customers should expect the service to be available in April/May 2021, following an 8 week tariff built by the supplier.

Join the opportunity

If you would like to speak to a member of our team or request a copy of the customer requirement template, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘Mobiles aggregation’ in the comments box. 

Payroll systems

Is your payroll contract due to expire over the next 12 – 24 months and are looking to save money on a new payroll system?

We’re looking to run a national further competition via lot 1a of our Data and Application Solutions (RM3821) framework for a payroll system, including install, maintenance and customer training to use the system.

We understand that replacing a payroll system takes a lot of consideration, so we’re notifying customers of this opportunity early to give time to understand the different routes to payroll that are available and to allow customers time to assess their requirements.

Who can join?

The opportunity is available to all public and third sector organisations.

Existing consortiums, customer user groups / forums are welcome to join this procurement – where more appropriate we can work with such groups to deliver an individual procurement that aggregates only across their membership.

Project timeline

Expressions of interest for this opportunity will be opening soon.

Customer requirements need to be submitted by April 2021 to enable collaboration on final specification and evaluation criteria. Once we have a group of customers interested in this opportunity, we are looking to run the procurement in September 2021 with the award date anticipated in December 2021. This will allow for a phased delivery and implementation throughout 2022.

Join the opportunity

Join one of our customer webinars to find out more information about this latest opportunity: 

If you would like to find out more or talk through your payroll options with our team, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘Payroll aggregation’ in the comments box.

Software led technology solutions for local authorities

Are you from a local authority that wants to buy software-led office systems, such as:

  • app-related consultancy services
  • software support and maintenance
  • software licences
  • maintenance services including developing, testing and implementing software updates

We ‘re running a national further competition to increase our buying power and help you achieve savings, using the following lots for local authorities via our Data and Application Solutions (RM3821) framework.

  • business applications (lot 2a): revenue and benefit systems, payment processes, civil enforcement systems
  • environmental and planning (lot 2b): environmental health, property and housing management, planning enforcement, licensing, waste management
  • citizen services (lot 2c): library solutions, electoral, registrar systems, sports and recreation, burials and crematoria
  • community health and social care (lot 3c): social care case management, social care finances, home care

You can also include:

  • application hosting
  • managed application services
  • database administration services
  • disaster recovery and backup services

Join the opportunity

If you are from a local authority and have a requirement for any of the above and would like to know more, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘software for local authorities aggregation’ in the comments box.

Finance systems

Is your organisation in need of a new finance system in 2021?

We have designed an opportunity under lot 1a of our Data and Application Solutions (RM3821) framework, and are looking for organisations to share their requirements with us so that we can run a national further competition to help the public sector achieve savings on their new finance system, which will go to tender in early 2021. 

Join the opportunity

If you would like to learn more, get involved or have any suggestions of ways in which we can support your organisation, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘Finance systems aggregation’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

Homeworker technology support 

With more public sector organisations operating from home due to COVID-19, we have designed an opportunity to provide technology assessment and ongoing support for part-time and full-time homeworkers under service group 3b of our Technology Services 2 (RM3804) framework. 

The benefits of joining this opportunity are:

  • enhance home worker arrangements that may have been set up provisionally, to provide a permanent, robust structure
  • assess home users’ IT and telecoms for suitability and fitness for purpose, identify shortfalls and propose remedial action
  • upgrade homeworker service contracts to assure enduring integrity, availability, performance and security
  • ensure homeworker environments are sufficiently robust for the organisation’s effective operation with some or all staff working from home
  • provide ongoing management of operation, integration, performance, diagnostics/troubleshooting and device security
  • provide a downstream service for management & disposal of redundant equipment

Specific areas for attention might include:

  • performance, including broadband and mobile connectivity, home network, Wi-Fi
  • integrity including update status of firmware and software
  • security including firewall, identity & access management, intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning, anti-malware/anti-phishing  
  • safety, including audits of home-use equipment

Join the opportunity

If you would like to learn more, get involved or have any suggestions of ways in which we can support your organisation, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘homeworker aggregation’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

Fixed voice and unified communications

We are looking to run a national further competition for fixed telephony services, driven by organisational restructuring arising from COVID-19 and the transition to partial or full home-working. 

The proposal also recognises BT’s declared withdrawal of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 2025, and the need for customers to develop strategies and plan well ahead for the changing public telephony environment and replacement of legacy equipment and systems. 

While many customers will predominantly use mobile telephony, some sectors will continue to need substantial fixed infrastructure, for example NHS, Ministry of Defence, some government departments; and these could benefit from rationalisation to suit their altered circumstances. 

The requirement would include:

  • VoIP connectivity 
  • a core set of standard call and management features  
  • support for smartphones and virtual clients on computers and tablets
  • optional bolt-ons such as collaboration features, integrated messaging, advanced voice and video conferencing, call centre services 
  • any special requirements such as location-based phones in lifts etc; alarms; support for fax
  • VoIP-compatible handsets 
  • integration with collaboration services such as Microsoft Teams 

Join the opportunity

If you would like to learn more, get involved or have any suggestions of ways in which we can support your organisation, please get in touch by completing our form quoting ‘Fixed voice aggregation’ in the comments box and one of our team will be in touch.

Water and wastewater supply

We are running another further competition for lot 1 – water and wastewater supply in early October 2020. This is following the success of our previous aggregation for water.

This further competition is open to all public sector, non-residential premises and will allow participating customers to switch their retail supplier.

Customers will enjoy high standard servicing from a dedicated customer service team.

Join the opportunity

To get involved, download and complete the switching template RM3790 Switching Template v9 and email it to water@crowncommercial.gov.uk.

We will send out a procurement strategy, at a later date, for you to sign. When you have completed this we will keep you informed through regular updates.

Fuel

Using our National Fuels framework, you can access a variety of solid and liquid fuels, including:

  • liquified gas
  • greases
  • lubricants
  • antifreeze

We are running quarterly aggregated further competitions to get you the best prices. Join the next aggregation if you:

  • are new to the opportunity
  • have joined already and would like to add new sites for the start of the next financial year

By joining this aggregation you will enjoy an easy route to market, with options for both regional and national suppliers.

Join the opportunity

To take part in the next aggregation complete our form and quote ‘National Fuels aggregation’ in the comments box.

Fleet eAuctions

We run a series of vehicle eAuctions a year. By combining customer needs, we can help organisations make great savings on the cost of vehicles, whether you need 1 or 1,000.

By using standardised vehicle specifications, and our bulk buying power to make your requirements more attractive to suppliers, customers can save as much as 40% on the manufacturer’s retail price.

Our eAuctions run under lots 1 and 2 of the Vehicle Purchase framework. You can have any volume or vehicle type. We can also help you if you want to lease instead of buy vehicles.

Join the opportunity

To find out more about getting involved get in touch, complete our form and quote ‘Fleet eAuctions’ in the comments box.

Potential opportunities

We can set up aggregations as long as there is a customer need. There are lots of potential opportunities. Take a look below for more information.

Technology

The aggregation team will consider all opportunities for aggregation in the technology category. Some of the products and services available through this aggregation are:

  • Adobe software
  • body worn cameras
  • car park Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
  • data applications for local authorities
  •  fixed line telephony
  • audio or video conferencing
  • IT hardware/peripherals/network equipment
  • IT hardware leasing
  • network connectivity/broadband
  • paging and alerting services
  • radio services
  • sector specific competitions
  • software/applications/platforms
  • traffic management technology

Join the opportunity

To join this opportunity, or find out more about it, complete our form and select ‘Technology’.

Case studies

  1. News | 25th August 2020

    Benefit from our collective technology buying power

    In this article, learn how you can take advantage of our complimentary technology aggregation service to help your organisation make savings.

    Read more about Benefit from our collective technology buying power
  2. Case study | 17th July 2020

    Health and education customers achieve average savings of 72% on mobile voice and data services

    Our latest aggregation for mobile voice and data services (NFC119) helped 5 customers achieve average savings of 72%, which is the equivalent of £1.1million for those who took part.

    Read more about Health and education customers achieve average savings of 72% on mobile voice and data services
  3. Case study | 3rd September 2019

    12 customers save £1.55 million on mobile voice and data services

    Our latest aggregation brought together 12 customers’ requirements for mobile voice and data services, helping them achieve average savings of 73%.

    Read more about 12 customers save £1.55 million on mobile voice and data services
  1. Case study | 20th June 2019

    NHS trusts save £240,000 on mobile voice and data services

    3 NHS foundation trusts have achieved average savings of 75% after taking part in our latest mobile voice and data services aggregation.

    Read more about NHS trusts save £240,000 on mobile voice and data services
  2. Case study | 10th June 2019

    6 customers save £300,000 on IT hardware

    Our latest aggregation brought together 6 customers’ requirements for IT hardware, helping them to achieve average savings of 16.7%

    Read more about 6 customers save £300,000 on IT hardware
  3. Case study | 17th May 2019

    12 customers save £2 million on mobile voice and data services

    Our latest aggregation brought together 12 customers’ requirements for mobile voice and data services, helping them achieve average savings of 69%.

    Read more about 12 customers save £2 million on mobile voice and data services
  1. Case study | 18th September 2020

    8 customers save £810,000 on IT equipment through collective buying

    In our latest aggregation for IT hardware, we helped 8 customers save over £810,000 on equipment such as laptops, desktops and tablets, which was an average saving of 21%.

    Read more about 8 customers save £810,000 on IT equipment through collective buying
  2. Case study | 14th August 2018

    Network Homes save 38% using mobile voice and data aggregation

    Crown Commercial Service helped Network Homes save 38% on its mobile voice and data connections through an aggregated further competition.

    Read more about Network Homes save 38% using mobile voice and data aggregation
  3. Case study | 12th September 2017

    17 customers set to save over £2.7 million on mobile voice and data services

    We have helped 17 customers save an average 61% on mobile voice and data services through an aggregated further competition. Find out how.

    Read more about 17 customers set to save over £2.7 million on mobile voice and data services
  1. Case study | 30th December 2020

    84 customers save over £2.8 million on Adobe licences

    In our latest aggregation opportunity for Adobe licences, we helped 84 customers save on average 31.75% - the equivalent of over £2.8 million for those who took part.

    Read more about 84 customers save over £2.8 million on Adobe licences
  2. News | 17th November 2020

    Local authorities, collate your IT requirements and save

    Are you a local authority looking to make savings on IT hardware such as laptops, desktops and tablets? Discover how you can join our next aggregation.

    Read more about Local authorities, collate your IT requirements and save
  3. Case study | 9th March 2020

    NHS saves an average of 74% using new health network

    NHS Digital and Crown Commercial Service (CCS) collaborated to create an agreement to help NHS organisations transition to a new network while saving money and generating additional benefits.

    Read more about NHS saves an average of 74% using new health network

Aggregation opportunities

Let us know if there are any other details we need to help you make the most of our aggregation opportunties

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