Defence Online

Simplified guide for suppliers from CCS

Homeland December 7, 2016

The Crown Commercial Service, on behalf of the government, is making it easier to apply for supplier status with the release of a new bidder pack.

Following a survey by techUK last year, which found that 64% of SMEs found the red tape to procurement as the main barrier to selling to the government, the CCS is trying to simplify the process. As well as assisting the SMEs, the new process will provide more bidders and therefore better value for the government.

The simplified bidder pack has a new look and feel, with plain English, fewer and shorter documents and most importantly, all the information in one pack. The pack helps to make clear to suppliers the differences between what CCS requires and what the customer needs, which will make it easier for supplier to see what they need to do.

Cyber Security Services 2 (CSS2) is piloting the new pack, which will also see suppliers able to gain their CESG certification during the life of the new agreement, rather than needing it beforehand.

The process will see feedback gained from the bidders for CSS2 applied to the new pack and it will develop over time, with advice from CBI, techUK and the FSB making sure the process follows best commercial practice.

The simplified bidder pack will be rolled out to a number of new agreements over coming months.

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CCS Crown Commercial Services CSS2 cyber security SME Suppliers supply chain

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.