Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 briefing updates

We recently attended, and took part in, the techUK/CCS Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 briefing - which gave all the updates for the framework.

With the highly anticipated Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 around the corner, Advice Cloud were delighted to be invited to take part in the CCS briefing hosted by techUK on Wednesday.

To recap, Digital Outcomes and Specialists is a dynamic style framework with the specific aim of helping the public sector buy, design, build and deliver digital outcomes using an agile approach. So far there has been over £2.1bn sold on DOS.

Matt Jenkins, category manager at CCS, gave the attendees an overview as to the success of the framework to date. As Matt stated, since the first iteration of DOS, an excellent 73% of opportunities had been awarded to SMEs. Furthermore, of the supplier population, 94% of DOS suppliers are SMEs.

In addition, to highlighting the achievements of the framework, Matt covered;

• DOS 5 provisional timetable
  • DOS5 opens for applications on the 9^th of October.
• DOS 5 application process
  • Very little changes have been made to the application process for DOS5. One key element that has changed regarding the application is that suppliers will no longer be able to change their pricing. Maximum day rates will be fixed for the duration of the framework.
• DOS 5 proposed changes
  • One of the key changes between DOS4 and DOS5, is the importance of IR35. CCS have made it an obligation for buyers to conduct an IR35 assessment before conducting a procurement.

To find out more on the ins and outs of the framework, check out our blog Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5: What we know so far.

Building upon Matt’s briefing of the framework, our Managing Director Ella Grant gave the attendees a mini workshop on how to respond to DOS opportunities. Ella broke down examples of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ responses and showed the audience how to use structure and our top tips to achieve success. In addition to the demonstration, Ella highlighted to potential suppliers in the audience to get to grips with qualifying themselves for opportunities. This will allow suppliers to save time and prevent them from responding to opportunities that they are ill-suited to.

Overall, the event was well-attended, with lots of potential suppliers engaging with the speakers and asking many questions. Highlighting the importance of suppliers getting involved in these events!