Bidders left waiting as multibillion-pound framework delayed

Technology Services 2 falls behind schedule as intention-to-award notices miss estimated issue date

Suppliers vying for a spot on a multibillion-pound government framework have been left hanging, with intention-to-award notices over a week late and still nowhere to be seen.

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) schedule for the Technology Services 2 framework stated that intention-to-award notices were due to be sent to suppliers on 7 August, triggering a 10-day standstill period before the framework is awarded on 21 August.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson has however confirmed that the award notices are now on course to be sent this week, after multiple bidders told CRN they were yet to receive an update on the framework's progress.

Technology Services 2 is the successor to the original Technology Services framework, which expired in May, and is estimated to be worth between £1bn and £3bn.

The framework will serve central and local government organisations and covers a range of IT services including hardware and software support, enterprise security and data management.

The four Lots included in the framework are: Technology Strategy and Services Design; Transition and Transformation; Operational Services; and Programmes and Large Projects.

Despite the delay, the Cabinet Office spokesperson said the framework is still expected to go live this month.

One supplier CRN spoke to voiced their dissatisfaction at the lack of communication from CCS, saying they found it "poor of them to say nothing and not communicate the delay".

The first iteration of the framework saw places awarded to 85 firms including Softcat, Computacenter, SCC and ANS.