Greater consistency in NHS signage, coupled with the assurance of a high quality, competitively-priced range of signage and wayfinding products and services, are among the benefits promised to estates and facilities teams UK-wide following the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency’s (NHS PASA) recent launch of a new pan-Government signage framework agreement. Jonathan Baillie reports, and talks to several signage suppliers appointed to the framework about their expertise, skills and recent experience.
NHS PASA launched its third framework agreement for signage to date in mid-April this year following a rigorous selection process which saw an original 82 providers of signage and wayfinding solutions that expressed interest in becoming framework suppliers whittled down to just nine. The organisation says the latest agreement can be used, for the first time in the case of an NHS PASA signage framework, by all UK public sector organisations. It is estimated thst it will provide the NHS alone with cost savings of “at least 10%” against previous agreements. The latest framework covers stock and bespoke signage solutions, wayfinding advice, consultancy, project management, and installation services. NHS PASA acted as lead procurement authority for the project, supported by Buying Solutions (formerly OGC Commerce – Buying Solutions) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Among the key benefits offered to those NHS Trusts using the service are:
• A minimum saving of 10% via “pan- Government leverage” in the market.
• Opportunities for further savings via availability of volume discounts and rebates from some of the participating suppliers
• The opportunity to use mini-competition for specific project requirements.
• Compliance with best practice guidance, e.g. the Department of Health’s “Effective wayfinding and signing systems – guidance for healthcare facilities”, and NHS “Identity Guidelines” documents.
• Elimination of Trusts having to undertake their own individual procurement exercises.
• Access to suppliers’ searchable catalogues covering stock items, with pictures, descriptions, prices, and supplier website links.
• A choice of nine suppliers offering a range of products and services all conforming to relevant regulations and standards.
• Flexibility of procurement options – both bespoke and stock.
• Free to use for both customers and suppliers.
• Consistent conditions of contract.
Tony Ryan, category manager for estates at NHS PASA, headed up the project team (which included representatives from NHSA PASA, Buying Solutions and DEFRA) which, following the placing of an advertisement for potential signage suppliers in line with OJEU guidelines in July 2008, assessed the expertise, capabilities and range of services offered by all those companies that responded before eventually selecting the nine chosen framework members last winter.
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