Government fires starting gun on landmark new framework

Digital services framework replacement is open for business

Applications are now open for a new government IT framework designed to replace its controversial predecessor.

Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS) was unveiled back in October as an effective replacement for the Digital Services framework. The latter was unpopular among many suppliers and in February, a group of them teamed up to speak out against it, taking issue with the way it tenders for projects according to an individual's capabilities instead of a company's whole offering.

The government listened to the feedback and effectively scrapped the framework, introducing DOS as a replacement.

The new framework was due to open for applications last week, but the government delayed it by a week to ensure the application was up to scratch.

A week on and the framework is now open - with suppliers able to apply for a place on it from today.

The framework consists of four Lots: Digital Outcomes; Digital Specialists; User Research Studios; and User Research Participants.

The framework is expected to go live on 29 February 2016. In the meantime, a ‘clarification period' has also kicked off today, when suppliers can ask any questions they have. This period closes after a month on 6 January next year, and the responses will be published on 13 January.

Applications for the framework close on 19 January and intention-to-award notices will be sent out on 18 February.