Under the new frameworks, agencies will be able to compete for government and public sector work without going through a lengthy procurement process for every contract.

Under a new EU Directive, the COI will no longer be able to invite a small selection of agencies on a framework to pitch for contracts.

Instead, all suppliers on a framework ‘capable of performing the proposed contract’ will be invited to compete for each piece of business. To manage the requirement efficiently each framework has been divided into ‘lots’ to provide easy-to-access short lists for competition.

Agencies will be selected through a rigorous procurement process on the basis of their proven success in the specialisms identified.

Criteria will include the expertise and experience of the company and its staff, quality of service, financial soundness, creativity and pricing structure.

COI director of strategy Andrew Wade says: “COI Strategic Consultancy supports government and the public sector to solve some of the UK’s most complex communication challenges. Working with a selection of the brightest strategic brains in the business we help our clients meet their objectives, while securing excellent value for money. To ensure we continue to provide the best communications solutions we are urging the most innovative agencies to apply to our new strategic consultancy frameworks.”

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