The British government has launched a procurement framework for digital service suppliers to get access to public sector work.
Created by the Government Procurement Service (GPS) and Government Digital Service (GDS), the framework is hoped to support the government’s digital strategy by allowing departments to put together services that are ‘digital by default’.
More than a third of the companies have never worked for a government previously, while 84% of the overall number have been identified as SMEs.
UK Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said that the move is aimed at creating a highly competitive market for government business, access to innovation, and to drive growth by working with businesses of all sizes.
"That’s how we will deliver world-leading digital public services and build a stronger economy," Maude said.
"The digital services framework shows how we are levelling the playing field for government contracts and living up to our ambition to support growth by giving opportunities to new entrants and smaller suppliers who can deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions based on user need."
Comprising pre-approved suppliers which can bid for the government’s digital contracts, the new framework will be offered as a managed service to central government departments.
GDS director Mike Bracken said to deliver the efficient and responsive services that the public demands, government must have access to the best, most cost-effective digital solutions.
"The digital services framework will be a flexible and speedy route for departments to the digital project expertise they need to transform their services," Bracken said.
"Whether this is entire digital delivery teams or individual specialists, the focus will always be on providing what the user needs."
The new framework is also claimed to cut down on the time it takes to contract new services, as per EU procurement rules.
Government chief procurement officer Bill Crothers said SMEs are a key driver for the country’s economic growth, but in the past it was far too difficult for them to win business with government because of unnecessary and bureaucratic procurement procedures.
"That’s why we have reformed how government buys public services and streamlined the procurement process to make sure we’re attracting the most competitive, innovative suppliers, including SMEs," Crothers said.
"The impact of these changes is reflected in the positive response to the digital services framework and the numbers of smaller firms and suppliers new to government that have won places on it."
All firms enlisted for the framework must operate via an agile approach and would also cover individual roles, such as developers, architects, managers, analysts, designers, and database, network and security specialists.
The framework, which would be refreshed every six months, allows new suppliers to apply to be part of the programme.
