Advice Cloud

G-Cloud experts and government procurement consultants

0330 124 4224

  • About
  • For Suppliers
    • For Suppliers
    • Our Services
      • End-to-End Procurement Support
      • Go To Market Assessments
      • Workshops & Training
      • Framework Listings
      • G-Cloud Buyability™ Review
      • Bid Review Services
    • Frameworks
      • G-Cloud
      • Digital Outcomes & Specialists
      • Network Services
      • Data and Application Solutions
      • Technology Services
      • Technology Products
      • Transport Technology & Associated Services
      • Other Frameworks
    • Dynamic Purchasing Systems
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Cyber Security Services
      • Automation Marketplace
      • Spark Technology Innovation Marketplace
      • IoT Technologies Services
      • Digital Technology Services
      • Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems
      • Gigabit Capable Connectivity
      • YPO Care Technology
      • HSCN Access Services
    • Why Choose Us?
      • Case Studies
      • Our Experience
      • Our Process
  • For Buyers
    • For Buyers
    • Our Services
      • G-Cloud Support Desk
      • G-Cloud Procurement Services
      • Digital Outcomes and Specialists
      • General Support Services
      • UKCloud Health services
    • Why choose us
      • Our Experience
  • Training
  • Spend data
    • Spend data
    • Spend Data
      • G-Cloud Sales
      • Digital Outcomes and Specialists and Digital Services Sales
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Procurement Essentials
      • Procurement 101
      • What is a Framework?
      • What is a Dynamic Purchasing System?
    • Ultimate Guides
      • Ultimate Guide to G-Cloud
      • Ultimate Guide to Digital Outcomes and Specialists
    • Tools
      • G-Cloud Sales
      • DOS and Digital Services Sales
      • Procurement Pipeline
      • Framework Alert
    • Resources
      • Blogs
      • G-Cloud
      • DOS
      • Business Guides
      • Expert Insights
      • Research
      • Events
      • Press
      • Videos
      • Announcements
  • Contact Us
End-to-End Procurement SupportGo To Market AssessmentsWorkshops & TrainingFramework ListingsG-Cloud Buyability™ ReviewBid Review Services

Get to grips with the Vertical Application Solutions framework

Join us on Thursday 9th June, 11am until 12noon, for a run-through of the Vertical Application Solutions webinar with our Strategic Adviser and ex-Local Gov CIO, Jos Creese.

BOOK NOW

G-CloudDigital Outcomes & SpecialistsNetwork ServicesData and Application SolutionsTechnology ServicesTechnology ProductsTransport Technology & Associated ServicesOther Frameworks

Get to grips with the Vertical Application Solutions framework

Join us on Thursday 9th June, 11am until 12noon, for a run-through of the Vertical Application Solutions webinar with our Strategic Adviser and ex-Local Gov CIO, Jos Creese.

BOOK NOW

Artificial IntelligenceCyber Security ServicesAutomation MarketplaceSpark Technology Innovation MarketplaceIoT Technologies ServicesDigital Technology ServicesQuality Assurance and Testing for IT SystemsGigabit Capable ConnectivityYPO Care TechnologyHSCN Access Services

Get to grips with the Vertical Application Solutions framework

Join us on Thursday 9th June, 11am until 12noon, for a run-through of the Vertical Application Solutions webinar with our Strategic Adviser and ex-Local Gov CIO, Jos Creese.

BOOK NOW

Case StudiesOur ExperienceOur Process

Get to grips with the Vertical Application Solutions framework

Join us on Thursday 9th June, 11am until 12noon, for a run-through of the Vertical Application Solutions webinar with our Strategic Adviser and ex-Local Gov CIO, Jos Creese.

BOOK NOW

G-Cloud Support DeskG-Cloud Procurement ServicesDigital Outcomes and SpecialistsGeneral Support ServicesUKCloud Health services

Social Value Masterclass #1: Introducing social value in public sector procurement.

Join our sister company Advice Gov’s FREE WEBINAR for public sector buyers on Thursday 26th May, 11am until 12noon.

MORE INFO HERE

Our Experience

Social Value Masterclass #1: Introducing social value in public sector procurement.

Join our sister company Advice Gov’s FREE WEBINAR for public sector buyers on Thursday 26th May, 11am until 12noon.

MORE INFO HERE

G-Cloud SalesDigital Outcomes and Specialists and Digital Services Sales

Grab a copy of our Public Sector Sales & Marketing Guide!

Our expert advisers and staff have put together this in-depth report to help you get to grips with navigating the Public Sector market. Grab your FREE copy here.

DOWNLOAD

Procurement 101What is a Framework?What is a Dynamic Purchasing System?

Download our free Guide to DOS Tenders!

Get expert advice and tips on how to write winning bids for opportunities on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework.

DOWNLOAD

Ultimate Guide to G-CloudUltimate Guide to Digital Outcomes and Specialists

Download our free Guide to DOS Tenders!

Get expert advice and tips on how to write winning bids for opportunities on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework.

DOWNLOAD

G-Cloud SalesDOS and Digital Services SalesProcurement PipelineFramework Alert

Download our free Guide to DOS Tenders!

Get expert advice and tips on how to write winning bids for opportunities on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework.

DOWNLOAD

BlogsG-CloudDOSBusiness GuidesExpert InsightsResearchEventsPressVideosAnnouncements

Download our free Guide to DOS Tenders!

Get expert advice and tips on how to write winning bids for opportunities on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework.

DOWNLOAD

BlogsPublished: 07 June 2018

The latest on Network Services 2

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Our Sales Manager Terry attended a supplier event for Network Services 2. Being a bit of a dab hand at these events now, we asked him to give the low down on what seemed like a lively session…

Network Services 2

So, I attended a Network Services 2 workshop today hosted by Innopsis, a trade association namely for IT suppliers selling into the public sector. They work very closely with both CCS and the IT supply chain. There were 21 people in attendance including 3-4 from Innopsis and Helen from CCS (who is the NS2 category lead).

A Lot of Lot talk

Unlike other framework sessions I have attended this was a deep dive into the actual Lots of the framework and questioning whether they are all relevant or do they need to be changed? The consensus seems to be that some of the Lots should be merged and potentially 3 more Lots created!

The sticky subject of supplier capping was of course raised (more than once!). The impression given is that the preference of public sector buyers is to put a restriction on the number of suppliers within each Lot. This is for a few reasons, but mainly for fear of the amount of responses they will get to a tender. However, is this a problem with having too many suppliers or a resourcing issue on the part of the buying organisation? Someone mentioned that on Technology Services 2 where you might have 70 suppliers in a Lot, often only about 4-6 end up responding to a tender. So, perhaps then this fear is misplaced…

As well as the Lots, some of time was spent on discussing core and supplementary services. Should a supplier be able to provide supplementary services if they have not supplied the core services in the Lot? The event was very interactive, and Ian Fishwick and Richard Barnes lead the day expertly and always got us back on track when perhaps some were diving into rabbit holes.

The afternoon was spent covering the financial tests in terms of pricing, how should they weight quality and pricing and vice versa. I asked the question about any turnover limitations or credit score requirements of suppliers. Helen said that there are no set turnover requirements as of yet for suppliers to apply for Network Services 2 but there is a process in place to look at the ‘risk of failure’ to protect their clients. Regarding Credit score, it was set at 52 for Network Services 1 but later reduced to 26. Again, nothing has been officially set for NS2 so we’ll keep you posted on any developments.

Unfortunately, no dates or timelines for NS2 were given as this session was purely for a detailed look at the Lot structure, core and supplementary services but I will be attending the CCS session this Friday at TechUK, where no doubt these will be discussed.

To sum up…

It was implied that the event was an ideas session and only the start of a lengthy process with further follow up sessions required. But it is quite evident that Innopsis and CCS take an awful lot of care, thought and attention into developing and refining frameworks, as well as considering how they can best work for SME’s. So, all in all, a very informative day!

Share

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Tags: Network Services, Network Services Framework, NS2

Advice Cloud Latest

  • [Infographic] The differences between VAS and DAS
  • G-Cloud 13 is now closed to supplier applications!
  • Cloud Compute 2 framework FAQs
  • Network Services 3 FAQs
  • G-Cloud 12 to G-Cloud 13: How did we get here?
Tweets by @AdviceCloud

Related Posts

  • Network Services 3 FAQs

    Coming up this summer is another big framework - Network Services 3. Here we've answered common questions suppliers have.

    Read more
  • Network Services 3 applications arrive this summer

    Here's everything suppliers need to know about the Network Services 3 framework, run by Crown Commercial Services.

    Read more
  • About
  • For Suppliers
  • For Buyers
  • Training
  • Spend data
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie policy
  • © 2022 Advice Cloud
wiredsussexchambermembertechukCyber Essentials CertifiedcrownsupplierDisability ConfidentBrighton and Hove living wageSussex Business Awards 29InnopsisBlue for Homepage

Advice Cloud Limited | Registered in England | Company Registration no 05776223
Registered Office: Advice Cloud Ltd, 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AL

We use cookies to improve your website experience. For example we use cookies to show you relevant webinars, content etc.

We have placed cookies on your device to help make our website better. Some of the cookies we use are essential for our website to work.

We also use some non-essential cookies to collect information to provide you with a better experience and to improve Our Site by better understanding how you use it.

You can use this tool to change your cookie settings.

To control third party cookies, you can also adjust your browser settings.