Buying Solutions – FAQs

If you have been considering using the OGC Buying Solutions Framework, but still have some questions regarding the procurement route. We have some answers below to FAQs that may assist you:

If a Framework runs for a finite amount of time (4 years for example), do contracts within that framework have to run for the same period of time?
No. Maximum contract terms vary according to the Framework but if, for example, a customer wants to place a 7 year contract a few months before Framework expiry, then that customer is at liberty to do so. It is up to the customer to decide if they feel it appropriate to do this. Further guidance on this subject can be found in our "Overview of Buying Solutions' Framework Agreements" at www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/guidance

On what basis can I go directly to one supplier (avoiding further competition) and justify that choice?
You can go direct to one supplier without the need for further competition if you can identify from the catalogue information i.e. terms and conditions, price, product/service offering etc, which supplier is best able to meet your requirements and offer value for money. This will depend on the nature of your requirement and how specific it is. You may use further competition to establish which supplier is best able to meet your needs for a period of time and then single source from that supplier.

How precise do I need to be in defining my requirement to determine the most capable supplier?
Obviously the more precise you can be, the more likely you are to find the best supplier/product/service for your requirement. The level of precision (such as naming system specifications or output expectations) may depend on the type of requirement. You may find it useful to talk to capable suppliers within a Framework lot to help define your requirement.

See the "Overview of Buying Solutions' Framework Agreements" on our website for further information (section 6 onwards): www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/guidance

Can Buying Solutions help me determine the best approach for my requirements?
Yes, please get in touch with your Category Manager via the Buying Solutions Customer Service Desk on 0345 410 2222.

What help can I get to define my requirement?
A customer must define their own requirement based on their own specific business needs, internal systems and their organisation's legal advice. However, Buying Solutions can in some cases review and comment on specifications. We are also planning to provide example specifications to assist customers in defining their requirements. Again, please get in touch with your Category Manager using the contact number above. Another route is to speak to any capable suppliers within the relevant framework lots as they would be aware of current technologies/market capabilities.

For more information regarding Buying Solutions, follow the link http://www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/

Or for more information regarding Rackline and the Buying Solutions framework, click: http://www.rackline.com/ogc-buying-solutions/