HSCN Access Services DPS

Access to the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) for data sharing. Including support for transition and implementation.

Description

This agreement provides access to the HSCN for health, social care, and related organisations. The HSCN is a data network that enables health and social care services to access and share information reliably, flexibly and efficiently. The agreement includes support for transition and implementation.

The framework uses a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) which helps customers find relevant suppliers through a filtering system.

If you’re a supplier and want to join the DPS please use this link to register.

Benefits

  • the dynamic nature of the DPS improves your choice and value for money
  • HSCN-compliant connectivity services
  • supplementary services, including PSN connectivity, cloud access, ISP services, virtual routing and forwarding (VRF), network access and security, virtual private networks (VPNs), firewalls, and intrusion prevention and detection
  • professional services to support transition and implementation
  • lower cost compared to previous N3 services

Products and suppliers

Please read the 'How to buy' tab below for detailed instructions on how to find out which suppliers are on this agreement.

Lot 1: HSCN Access Services
This is a single-lot agreement. Visit the HSCN DPS (see How to buy, below) for more information.

Expires:

How to buy

  1. Register as a buyer. Note: although pages are headed ‘Supplier registration’ this is also where you can register as a buyer.
  2. Navigate to the DPS for HSCN access portal. Agree to the terms of use.
  3. You now have 2 options:
    1. View appointed suppliers
    2. Click on the link to create a new category export. This is how you filter the suppliers that can meet your requirements.
  4. Use the filtering tool to specify your requirements. This will create a list of capable suppliers.
  5. Export the list of suppliers and contact details (export is to an Excel spreadsheet).
  6. Quit the DPS
  7. Use the list to run a further competition. Invite the suppliers identified by the DPS to bid against your detailed specification, evaluation criteria and contract format.
  8. The list is valid for only 2 working days, because new suppliers may be applying to join at any point. If your further competition excludes eligible suppliers it potentially breaches procurement regulations. Obtain a fresh supplier list (steps 3.2 to 5) if you don’t use your list within 2 working days.
  9. You can use CCS’s eSourcing tool to run a further competition. The tool is free to use for public sector buyers.
  10. Allow at least 10 days for supplier responses, or longer for more complex requirements
  11. Evaluate the responses
  12. Request from winning supplier(s) any required evidence that they can meet your requirements. Set them a deadline for submitting evidence of 2 days.
  13. If you’re satisfied with the evidence, award the contract
  14. Where appropriate, notify of the award on Contracts Finder.
  15. More detailed guidance is available in the attached documents.

Note: If you are working with other buyers to go to market and run your own competition you can use the ‘Generic Aggregated Procurement RFP’ set of documents if you wish. This document set can also be used by individual customers but will need amending to suit an individual Further Competition.

Documents