NHS Cloud Solutions framework announced
Just as we’re gearing up for the opening of G-Cloud 11, the NHS have only gone and announced a new framework!
To be precise, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) have published an opportunity for the provision of Cloud Solutions.
If you provide a cloud solution that the NHS might want to buy, it’ll be of great benefit to get onto the framework. There’s four lots in total; for you to work out where you may fit best on the framework, here’s a summary of the scope of each.
Lot 1 – Solution Design and Consultancy
The scope of this lot includes, but is not limited to:
- Analysis and mapping of existing cloud architecture
- Recommendations for IaaS, PaaS and SaaS (see Lot 2)
- Assessing suitability to migrate to public or private cloud
- Cost optimisation assessments
- Target architecture and operating model design
Lot 2 – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS)
This one’s quite self-explanatory, but the scope of the lot is certainly vast. Solutions suited to lot 2 include:
- Networking
- Storage
- Servers
- Virtualisation – provision of a hypervisor in which virtual machines may execute
- Operating System
- Middleware
- Runtime
- Data
- Applications
Of course, all IaaS, PaaS and SaaS solutions must offer cloud connectivity options; and must be configurable, scalable and accessible, with monitoring, support and reporting options.
Non-essential requirements also include advanced services related to AI, Machine Learning and Identity as a Service (iDaaS). In the context of government digital transformation, technologies such as these continue to rise in significance; so it’s certainly promising to see them noted in the lot specification.
Lot 3 – Cloud Support Services
Again, lot 3 needs little explanation. Support services required are as follows:
- Real time access to support calls
- Support provided by email, phone, internet, in person or as a fully managed service – available at various levels
- Professional service experts
- Monitoring and management of services
- Support and consultation
The final point (support and consultation) relates to numerous areas, full details of which are provided once registered to the portal. Just a few examples are design and integration, IT system analysis, and business intelligence support.
Lot 4 – End-to-End Cloud Solution
Basically, this lot encapsulates all of the above. NHS SBS state that for lot 4, ‘the contractor should provide an end-to-end cloud and/or on-premises management solution from assessment through to the Cloud Platform Build (IaaS, PaaS) through to delivery and then onto ongoing support.’ They then go on to specify that the solution may contain all services outlined from lot 1 to lot 3.
If your company fits into one or more of these lot descriptions, we really recommend applying for this framework. Although it’s looking to be notably smaller than G-Cloud—with just 60 suppliers to be accepted on—the estimated spend for NHS SBS is between £70-500M. So, certainly worth going for. This isn’t to say that NHS departments will cease to use G-Cloud to purchase solutions – it just offers an additional route through which they can procure. So, why not list on both?
To apply for the framework, you’ll need to register here. And we suggest doing so sharpish. The deadline for submission is midday on the 3rd April.
Good luck!
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