Technology Services 3 is now closed

Another big framework closes its doors for applications. So what can suppliers do now that Technology Services 3 is closed?

As of 5th January 2021, no more applications from suppliers will be accepted for the Technology Services 3 (TS3) framework. That’s right, Technology Services 3 is closed for submissions.

Originally due to close it’s doors on 3rd December 2020, a slight extension was given in order to get all supplier clarification questions answered on time – and to give suppliers enough response time to these answers.

So… now it’s closed, what do suppliers need to do? Here’s some suggestions.

Don’t just wait around for the results

There’s a lot of work that goes into a public sector strategy. Getting on to a framework like TS3 should never be an end goal. Instead, it should be a major step in your overall journey. TS3 is enabler for sales and success, not a guarantee.

This means that suppliers should get to know how it all works. Learn the ins and outs of the framework and how you’re compliantly allowed to sell, how buyers use the framework to award and what happens after your chosen by a buyer. If your teams don’t know how it works, chances are a deal isn’t going to happen.

Importantly, your sales and marketing teams need to know how it works too. They need to be able to let potential buyers know that you use the framework. If a buyer wants to procure your services, they need to know how they can do so. So get them involved.

Okay, but why spend this time on Technology Services 3 when you don’t yet know if your application was successful? Well…

Plan your wider strategy

What you learn about this framework will be very similar to other frameworks from Crown Commercial Service (CCS), and other organisations too. Making sure your sales and marketing teams are ready and know how your routes to market work properly can help with your wider public strategy and the other frameworks you use (or will use).

We’ve spoken a lot about how to construct a great strategy, and also about public sector sales and marketing strategies, so we won’t go too much into depth here. However, it’s important to get this right so check out those linked resources. TS3, if your successful, will play a part in this overall strategy. Which brings us on to the next point…

Don’t stop there!

If there are other frameworks or Dynamic Purchasing Systems relevant to you, get listed on them. Not all buyers will use Technology Services 3, there may be crossover with other frameworks in CCS’s pipeline and they may look there too. If you’re not listed on them, you might miss out. During this free time before TS3 results come out (and all the time really!) you should be looking at all the best routes to market that work for you and your buyers.

If you want to stay on top of key technology frameworks that come out in future, then you can sign up to our Framework Alert service here.

So there you go. The main takeaway, is don’t sit around waiting for the results of your application. Get preparing and get ready to start winning public sector business!