£1.2bn DOS 3 framework goes live
Third iteration of Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework goes live after CCS makes U-turn
The Digital Outcomes and Specialists 3 (DOS 3) framework went live today with just under 3,000 suppliers making the cut.
DOS 3 was delayed by governing body Crown Commercial Service (CSS) earlier this year, along with the G-Cloud framework, before the decision was reversed.
The DOS framework was launched in 2016 to replace the Digital Services framework and is broken up into four lots: Digital Outcomes, Digital Specialists, User Research Studios and User Research Participants.
DOS 3 has a potential value of £1.2bn, according to the contract notice.
Some 2,953 suppliers made it onto the framework, including reseller giants Computacenter and Softcat.
The total sales through the first two DOS iterations stood at £508.8m at the end of July, according to the latest figures published by CCS.
The three largest deals have been completed by Atos, Kainos Software and IBM, at £4.7m, £3.9m and £3.8m respectively.
The framework came in for criticism last year, as its predecessor did, but Harry Metcalfe, managing director at DXW, said that CCS has taken great strides to address concerns.
"It basically works the same way as DOS 2 did and the tender process was very quick and straightforward," he said.
"However, I am confident that it will work more effectively, and that is because the government has been working to engage with buyers more.
"We have seen that make a very big difference. There is still some work to be done, particularly around the language that buyers use in opportunities to describe what is needed.
"There have been workshops for government buyers, so I am really impressed with how CCS has risen to the challenge."
The framework has a duration of 12 months, according to the contract notice, with CCS having the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
CCS initially took up this option on both DOS 2 and G-Cloud 9, before reversing its decision after being met with criticism by suppliers.