ntl:Telewest Business Chosen For
New OGCbuying.solutions Framework
Agreement
- Delivers simplified and more
cost-effective network procurement to public sector
5 March 2008. ntl:Telewest
Business, a supplier of communications services to the
public and private sectors, today announced that it has been
successful in its bid for accreditation on OGCbuying.solutions'
new Telecom Networks Framework Agreement.
The new arrangement
enables public sector organisations to reduce both procurement time
and costs when buying telecoms and networking services by selecting
from a list of pre-approved suppliers across 12 categories. Overall
the Framework Agreement is expected to cover contracts worth £500
million over the next four years. The Telecom
Networks Framework Agreement went live on 8 January 2008.
ntl:Telewest Business is listed on the
agreement as “Telewest Ltd. t/as ntl:Telewest Business".
ntl:Telewest Business
successfully applied for inclusion in 10 categories, including
voice, point-to-point circuits and wireless networks. This builds
on its strong presence across OGCbuying.solutions’ portfolio of
Catalist Framework Agreements and in other public sector
procurement frameworks, including the NHS
PASA , and National
Telecoms Group in higher education. Customers who have
benefited from the framework approach include St Helens and Knowsley PCT , Camden and Islington Shared Services and
Newcastle City Council.
“By simplifying the procurement process the
new Telecom Networks Framework Agreement not only delivers real
value for money to the public sector, but allows us to demonstrate
our commitment to innovation and customer service,” commented John
Cunningham, director, business markets, ntl:Telewest Business. “Our
selection for key categories of the new Framework Agreement shows
our strength in the public sector and our position as the natural
choice to meet our customers’ communications needs.”
Framework agreements speed up the procurement
process by pre-qualifying suppliers under set terms and conditions.
As all suppliers have already had to tender in accordance with EU
Directives to secure a place on a framework agreement,
organisations know that they will obtain value for money and be
assured that their procurement is compliant with both UK and EU
legislation. Overall, framework agreements remove a major
procurement headache from the public sector.
About ntl:Telewest Business
ntl:Telewest Business, part of the UK’s second
largest fixed-line telecommunications company, is a leading
communications provider to businesses, public sector organisations
and service providers in the UK. It delivers a complete portfolio
of voice, data and internet solutions nation-wide.
ntl:Telewest Business sales and support
teams are located across the UK, in close proximity to our
customers, as part of a commitment to deliver superior customer
service.
ntl:Telewest Business delivers services over
the Group’s £13bn investment in its state-of-the-art
infrastructure giving business customers access to the largest
alternative network in the UK.
ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide
critical communications to high profile customers
including: Heathrow's Terminal 5, Birmingham City Council and
Cambridgeshire County Council.
About OGCbuying.solutions
OGCbuying.solutions is the trading arm of the
Office of Government Commerce (OGC), which is itself an office of
HM Treasury.
Launched in April 2001, OGCbuying.solutions
provides public sector procurement professionals with a route to
the products and services they need to maximise procurement
efficiency and value for money. Its contracts and framework
agreements offer substantial savings through significant buying
power, economies of scale and strategic partnerships. These savings
are counted towards the Efficiency Review target. Rigorous
tendering and evaluation processes ensure that products and
services are checked for quality, price competitiveness, fitness
for purpose and compliance with statutory requirements. These
products and services are available through OGCbuying.solutions
Catalist framework agreements, Managed Services and Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs).