IT Neutral Vendor

This Framework Contract will adopt a Neutral Vendor Managed Service model to offer a 'one stop shop' for all ICT goods and services based on the Framework CPV codes. The Neutral Vendor will act a single interface between the Customer and the Supply Chain. The Framework is primarily focussed on the Education Sector, but must be available and suitable for all public sector organisations. The key objectives and focus of the framework are:  Value for money - through competition and in the case of direct award, demonstrated through benchmarking.  Access to a fully managed service - engaging with the Customer, providing advice and guidance, building up knowledge of each Customer based on previous engagements to inform the service they are offered, supporting the delivery of the outcomes required.  Access to high quality ICT goods and services - high quality goods and services should be tailored to each Customers requirements.  Transparency - copies of benchmarking information must be shared, especially in the case of direct awards, ensuring direct awards are only used where justified, sharing competition information with the Customer, whole life cost is presented including full transparency over Supplier fees to access the managed service.  Process efficiencies for Customers - streamlining invoices with effective management information, simplifying procurement processes.  Effective management of the Supply Chain - ensuring alignment with standards, only onboarding suitable Suppliers, offering choice to Customers, effective rotation of opportunities between appropriate Suppliers.  Sustainability and Social Value - ensuring alignment with Customers objectives around sustainability and social value. The planned procurement notice and the tender process are being run using 'parent' level CPV codes. It should be assumed all relevant 'child'/sub codes will be covered under the contract.