In early 2022, the Department for Education (DfE) launched their Connect the Classroom (CTC) initiative, a programme to allocate central grant funding to improve Wireless and LAN infrastructure in approximately 3,500 schools across 55 Local Authority Education Investment Areas. This initiative, originally envisaged to spread across three tranches or ‘waves’ from 2022 to 2025, targets areas with the most pressing educational needs.
Here at Everything ICT we have supported over 500 schools through every stage of their CTC application and procurement journey. With recent DfE announcements, funding for future CTC phases now appears to be less certain and as Phase 2 draws to a close, we will continue to offer support to these and other education institutions with solutions that meet their ever-growing ICT requirements. As a DfE-recommended framework, we offer a streamlined approach to procurement that ensures quality, compliance, and budget-conscious results.
Navigating the Procurement Landscape
DfE-recommended frameworks, like Everything ICT, offer an efficient, cost-effective, and fully-compliant procurement route specifically designed to meet the technology requirements of the education sector. You can access a comprehensive range of solutions from pre-approved suppliers that have been carefully vetted and evaluated based on their quality, value for money, and customer satisfaction. The frameworks aim to integrate emerging technologies seamlessly into your existing educational ecosystem, making it easier for you to upgrade and improve your infrastructure and systems. Plus, with reliable support from over 200 approved and trusted Everything ICT Framework suppliers, you can have peace of mind knowing that your technology investments are backed by experts who understand the everyday challenges faced by schools.
For educational institutions working with limited financial resources, DfE-recommended frameworks can serve as lifelines. With access to a carefully vetted list of over 200 pre-approved suppliers, Everything ICT makes it easier for you to find technology solutions that align with both your budget and educational requirements. The beauty of DfE-recommended frameworks like the Everything ICT Framework, is that they simplify the often-complex process of public sector procurement, offering a pre-approved list of suppliers and a structured pathway for technology acquisition. This holds particular significance in the context of schools, where compatibility and future scalability are paramount.
By choosing a DfE-recommended framework, education institutions are able to effectively bypass the complexities and costs associated with managing their own procurement processes.
Regardless of your institution's size or needs, Everything ICT offers solutions that simplify the technology procurement process, saves you time and resources, and delivers exceptional value for money.
For single schools and small trusts, we provide expert procurement services, saving you time and resources, while ensuring that you're getting the best value for your investment.
For mid-sized trusts, Everything ICT acts as your dedicated procurement team, handling all aspects of the process on your behalf. This enables your staff to focus on their core responsibilities, while still benefiting from the expertise and resources of a trusted procurement partner.
For the largest trusts, we’re here to complement your own procurement team ensuring that you have the support and expertise needed to manage complex technology procurements, while maintaining compliance.
Unleashing the Potential of DfE-Recommended Frameworks
In summary, DfE-recommended frameworks like Everything ICT offer an efficient, and reliable pathway for schools looking to enhance their ICT capabilities while also adhering to procurement regulations and value for money.
With the Everything ICT framework, schools will receive a seamless procurement experience, knowing that their technology solutions are not only compliant with relevant regulations but will also meet their specific requirements. From reducing administrative burdens and costs to ensuring the selection of high-quality, trusted suppliers, DfE-recommended frameworks offer a comprehensive solution for schools looking to navigate the complexities of ICT procurement.
For more information on DfE-recommended ICT Frameworks see here.
To learn more about Everything ICT and how we can help you, visit our website or drop us an email at info@everythingict.org; or call one of our team on 020 4551 8995
FAQs:
What are Frameworks in Procurement?
Procurement frameworks are pre-established agreements with suppliers that outline the terms and conditions for specific purchases throughout the agreement's term. These frameworks are typically established through competitive tendering processes and are used by various organisations to streamline procurement. They reduce administrative efforts and costs, ensure compliance with regulations, and often provide access to pre-vetted suppliers and competitive pricing.
What is a DfE-Recommended Framework?
A DfE (Department for Education)-recommended framework is one that has been established or vetted by the Department for Education. These frameworks aim to provide educational institutions with easy access to products and services that have been pre-evaluated and recommended for quality and cost-effectiveness. The goal is to simplify the procurement process for schools and other educational bodies, ensuring efficient procurement in compliance with governmental standards.
How Do You Use a Procurement Framework?
Utilising a procurement framework typically involves several steps:
1. Define your requirements clearly to help suppliers understand your needs and to help you assess their responses during the procurement process.
2. Identify an appropriate framework agreement that aligns with your procurement needs. The DfE website is a useful resource for finding suitable frameworks. https://find-dfe-approved-framework.service.gov.uk/
3. Select a supplier based on your requirements. This may involve running a mini-competition within the framework or obtaining quotes from different suppliers.
4. Place orders with the selected supplier, adhering to the framework's terms.
5. Regularly manage and monitor supplier performance and compliance with the framework agreement.
By following these steps, educational institutions can effectively leverage procurement frameworks to meet their technology needs efficiently and in compliance with regulations.