Intelligent Automation Services DPS briefing

We recently attended the supplier briefing for the Intelligent Automation Services DPS, held at techUK. Here’s what we found out.

When’s the Intelligent Automation Services DPS due?

The OJEU is scheduled to be published in February 2020, with tenders closing 30 days later in March 2020. This doesn’t mean that suppliers only have 30 days to apply though, being a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) means that companies can apply anytime during its lifetime. The end of the 30-day window just signals when the DPS goes live for public sector buyers.

When the OJEU is published, the bid pack and relevant documents will come with it.

What’s the DPS for?

The scope of technology for the DPS has been planned as:

• Smart Workflows
• Cognitive Agents
• Machine Learning
• Robotic Process Automation
• Natural Language Processing
• Optical Character Recognition

These can be further filtered down into categories by potential buyers. These categories are: Digital Services, Business Optimisation/Strategy, Training and Licenses.

How will it work?

As mentioned, Intelligent Automation Services will be run as a DPS. This means that suppliers will be able to get listed at any point whilst it is live. However, don’t hang about after it’s open – as the longer you wait, the more business you’ll miss out on!

Suppliers will have to read and agree to the documents within the DPS Bid Pack, as well as register for the Supplier Registration Service (SRS). They’ll then have to complete Selection Questions, that will be assessed, in order to be awarded a place on the DPS.

Once on the Intelligent Automation Services DPS, suppliers will be able to bid and respond to published buyer opportunities as a mini-competition or mini-tender.

What do suppliers need to do?

So far it has been confirmed that suppliers will need Cyber Essentials and the relevant insurances. They should also read through the bid pack when it is published and other elements thoroughly.

Until February 2020 though, suppliers can make sure they understand fully how a Dynamic Purchasing System works, and make sure they know how to craft great responses and bids to opportunities – as this is where the hard work is!