Public Procurement with Softcat MHR Framework
Simplify public procurement
Going out to tender is more often than not, a long and complex activity when sourcing software products and services within the public sector. Suppliers are forced to invest resources and time into proposals which can prove challenging amongst other business.
On this page you learn about the Softcat frameworks approach MHR have adopted and how this will benefit public sector customers.
The challenges in public procurement
Public procurement is synonymous with red tape and a lot of paperwork. Why? Because of the many policies that have to be satisfied before making a final purchasing decision. Smarter buying decisions are essential amongst procurement managers and officers, with a core objective being to mitigate long term cost. The complexities of the buying journey, causes delays in procurement of what is needed in real time. Repeated tender processes and cycles of supplier proposals, creates endless administration work - resulting in the poor utilisation of resources. Altogether, the process is often overly complex and time-consuming.
Understanding frameworks
Frameworks are templates which contain standard terms to appease the common compliance, security and ROI concerns within public sector procurement. These framework agreements provide public sector buyers with the flexibility to continually purchase products and services from private sector suppliers multiple times, without going through the full tender application process more than once.
The Softcat MHR framework approach
To facilitate faster buying decisions within the public sector, MHR have partnered with Softcat to offer five frameworks which incorporate essential MHR standard terms and conditions into the framework call-off and offer a compliant direct award route to market. These 5 pre-approved procurement framework routes cover the whole of the UK and all industry sectors. The flexibility of the frameworks includes longer contracting terms e.g. 3, 5 or 7+ years at a time.
Designed to simplify the public procurement process, MHR and Softcat will jointly guide customers through 5 simple steps:
- Customer agrees their requirements and confirms which framework to use
- Softcat share the quote within the framework terms to the customer
- Any amends/negotiations take place
- Customer signs final contract
- Purchase order, delivery and invoicing
How frameworks will benefits MHR customers
Public sector customers can now procure MHR's HR, payroll, analytics, learning and finance solutions with surety and ease. A more standardised approach to paperwork, will radically reduce the time to finalise purchase decisions as well as repeat contracts.
The Softcat MHR framework is a much more efficient route to market, reducing the administrative burden behind lengthy tenders and proposals. Pre-approved legalities between Softcat and MHR through frameworks, offer customers surety and minimised risk. Along with the flexibility to run tenders, mini-competitions, or direct award.
Customers will benefit from flexible contract durations to better suit their requirements and a simplified procurement process guided by both Softcat and MHR. Ultimately, this framework approach provides a more sustainable method of procurement and ensures a smoother and simplified process.