The nine fire and rescue authorities covering England
will use the Ministry of Defence’s £250m-a-year framework
agreement with BT when they procure networking services, in the
sector’s first move to centralise IS procurement.
The agreement means individual authorities will be able to buy
any of the services already included in the MoD’s
Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service
contract. These include managed fixed-line telephony, managed
mobile services, flexible working support and
videoconferencing.
The authorities will benefit from the MoD’s buying power in what
is one of the first examples of unrelated parts of the public
sector co-operating on shared services.
The deal is the first IS contract hammered out by
Firebuy, the body set up to centralise the nine
authorities’ procurement.
Firebuy spokesman Colin Francis said, “Until now, procurement
within fire and rescue services has been fragmented and authorities
have not had the opportunity to combine their purchasing
requirements.
“A more strategic approach to procurement will support better
long-term financial planning for the sector and will ultimately
save money for reinvestment in front-line services.”
Shared services still in the minority
National Procurement Strategy for the Fire and
Rescue Service
Framework for the fire and rescue
service
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