What can suppliers sell on DOS4?

Unsure of what suppliers can sell on the DOS4? With it now open for applications, here’s some key information about what you can and can’t sell…

An important factor to bear in mind when considering whether or not to list on DOS is that the framework was created for suppliers who are able to aid buyers in instigating digital transformation within Government. And all the solutions provided should primarily be delivered in an Agile way.

There are 4 Lots that break down what suppliers can sell through DOS…

Digital Outcomes

Within this Lot, suppliers can provide teams to assist buyers with their requirements. These teams have to be able to deliver services that fit a particular outcome posted by a buyer on the Digital Marketplace. A few examples of the types of projects on DOS are;

• Performance analysis & data – this involves analysing data to see where a service can be enhanced
• Service delivery – involving managing an effective user focused digital service
• Software development – helping to enhance code by concentrating on how services will be utilised
• Support and operations – manage day to day administration whilst also dealing with user enquiries and requests
• Testing and auditing – accessibility and application testing, as well as data auditing

The Digital Outcomes Lot gives a lot of wriggle room for what can be provided to buyers. As long as you’re meeting the requirements of what they’re asking for, and you adhere to CCS’ rules, then you’re fine to start bidding through DOS!

Digital Specialists

This Lot works a little differently from Digital Outcomes, as it is specifically for buyers to find an individual specialist to deliver a project – rather than whole teams delivering an outcome. Here are a few examples of the suitable specialist roles that suppliers can provide, as outlined by CCS;

• Agile coaches – helping teams to ingrain an agile culture
• Business analysts – examine an organisations business processes & present finding
• Data architects – put in place the agenda for the use of data, through design to meet the needs of the business
• Data engineers– Maintain data management systems

User research labs

Suppliers can provide rooms and space for user research, if that’s something you can do then you should think about listing within this Lot too. Public sector buyers may be looking for venues to hold their interviews and usability tests, and will be posting their opportunities here.

User research participants

Buyers are also on the lookout for participants for their user research tests and suppliers can provide relevant people to do just that.

What you can’t sell on DOS 4 …

It’s also important to know what cannot be sold through the framework too! Suppliers can’t provide any non-digital roles, Interim staff or people with no clear deliverables. As we said before, you have to be able to adhere to the buyer’s requirements, and this means providing an Agile solution with clear processes. On top of that, CCS guidance also means that the solutions or teams provided to a buyer can’t be used for any other project too.

As you can see, there is more scope of services that suppliers can sell through DOS, compared with commodity cloud frameworks such as G-Cloud. As long as you can meet CCS standards, and buyer needs, then you’re good to go.