Digital Document Solutions (DDS) Framework Agreement

Location

London

Description

The Digital Document Solutions (DDS) Framework Agreement provides a service led approach to digital document procurement to support in effective, digitally enabled care. The DDS Framework Agreement allows for both innovation of products within the lifetime of the framework and a comprehensive direct award mechanism for all framework suppliers, whilst facilitating growth corresponding to the increased demand for digital enablement across both the NHS and social care. This approach directly supports the vision of the NHS Long Term Plan.

Total Quantity or Scope

The scope of this framework agreement includes but is not limited to all digital documentsolutions plus any associated hardware or software.This can be summarised as follows:Internal Print, External Print, Digital Mail Room, Scanning, Document Storage , ElectronicDocument Record Management Solutions (EDRMS), Digital Dictation, Workflow Processes,Contract Centre.The framework agreement will allow for further competition and directaward to all awarded suppliers. In order to facilitate direct award, this framework will requirethe submission of national list pricing that will be published in a catalogue to all potentialDrawdown authorities in full and unrestricted.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

The extension is being implemented in accordance with the variation mechanism set out in Schedule 7 (Framework Agreement Variation Procedure) of the DDS Framework Agreement and is assessed as compliant with Regulation 72(1)(a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), as the review clause permitting extension was clear, precise and unequivocal in the original procurement documentation.The decision to extend has been taken due to exceptional and justifiable operational circumstances, including:• The DDS Framework supports the procurement and delivery of complex digital and IT transformation programmes across the integrated health economy, many of which are multi-phase, business-critical initiatives involving significant system integration, data migration, and interoperability requirements.• Additional complex digital and IT procurements have been formally planned and approved within business cases, with mobilisation timelines aligned to the continued availability of the framework.• Allowing the framework to expire at this stage would result in the cancellation, delay, or re-procurement of these requirements, causing duplication of procurement activity, additional cost to contracting authorities and suppliers, potential disruption to transformation programmes, and risk to delivery of anticipated savings and service improvements.The proposed six-month extension does not alter the scope, nature or economic balance of the framework and not considered a substantial modification under Regulation 72(8) of PCR 2015.The extension is considered necessary to ensure continuity of procurement, protect value for money, and enable the orderly completion and mobilisation of complex digital programmes already in progress or formally planned.The Framework Agreement currently expires on 30 September 2026. This variation extends the expiry date to 31 March 2027 on the previously agreed Terms and Conditions.