Public Sector To Use £70 Million Committed Spend To Secure Better Deals With Airlines
Date Issued: 23 December 2008
OGCbuying.solutions has announced today that, for the first time, it is to contract directly with airlines to secure improved deals on ticket prices.
Thanks to a new collaborative agreement, Buying Solutions is to go to market to deliver a consolidated Government Air Programme using a committed spend volume of around £70 million. Written commitment has been secured from every organisation in the programme's stakeholder group, with procurement strategy agreed at both a senior and operational level.
The stakeholder group represents many of the biggest spending organisations alongside those with the most diverse air spend profiles. Some examples of those that have committed to the programme include the British Council, the Cabinet Office, Department for International Development, Department for Work and Pensions, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Metropolitan Police and the Scottish Government.
Speaking on behalf of the Cabinet Office, Travel Category Manager Gary Horton said today:
"This is a most welcome development in public sector air procurement and the level of commitment shown by the stakeholders is impressive and underscores the fact that the public sector is serious about its intentions to secure the best possible deals."
Buying Solutions' Category Director - Travel, Stephen Bloor added:
"The level of commitment from stakeholders has provided the foundation for this procurement to achieve significant benefits for public sector business air travellers while the successful airlines will in turn benefit from a much closer and more productive relationship with customers and Buying Solutions through our management of the programme."
The OJEU notice for the procurement was posted on 19 December 2008, and the contract is expected to be in place on 1 July 2009. Buying Solutions is welcoming expressions of interest from airlines.
For more information about the Government Air Programme, please contact the Buying Solutions' Service Desk on 0845 410 2222.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
OGCbuying.solutions is an Executive Agency of the Office of Government Commerce, which is itself an office of HM Treasury.
It provides public sector procurement professionals with a route to the products and services they need to maximise procurement efficiency and value for money. Its contracts and framework agreements offer substantial savings through significant buying power, economies of scale and strategic partnerships.
Rigorous tendering and evaluation processes ensure that products and services are checked for quality, price competitiveness, fitness for purpose and compliance with statutory requirements. These products and services are available through OGCbuying.solutions' framework agreements, managed services and other procurement arrangements.
More details are available on the website: www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk
Media contact:
Ben Heppenstall
ben.heppenstall@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0151 672 2218