REPLY LIMITED

AWS Platform as a Service (PaaS) from Reply

Our AWS PaaS offers robust architecture, agile development, and integrated Service Desk for seamless application management. Hosted in EU data centers, it ensures compliance, innovation, scalability, and top-notch security, accelerating digital transformation while optimizing performance for businesses of all sizes.

Features

• Monitor compliance continuously with automatic security updates.
• Allocate resources dynamically for optimized performance and cost.
• Automatically scale to meet real-time application demands.
• Deploy rapidly with integrated CI/CD tools.
• Implement blue-green deployment to minimize downtime.
• Choose data residency options for EU data protection laws.
• Conduct regular data audits for GDPR compliance.
• Monitor application performance in real-time.
• Access customizable dashboards for system insights.
• Utilize pre-configured development environments for various languages.

Benefits

• Optimize resources, reducing costs and overprovisioning risks.
• Deploy rapidly, accelerate development, and shorten time-to-market.
• Simplify compliance with automatic updates and data sovereignty assurance.
• Empower developers with efficient tools, focusing on innovation.
• Utilize analytics for informed decisions and strategic planning.
• Scale applications flexibly to meet evolving business requirements.
• Ensure robust disaster recovery for minimal downtime and data backup.
• Receive comprehensive support from certified AWS professionals.
• Offer extensive documentation and training resources for user empowerment.
• Promote sustainability through eco-friendly cloud services.

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at glue.frameworks@reply.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

645334772919278

Contact

Chris Wright
0207 730 6000
glue.frameworks@reply.com

About your service

• Service categories:

  PaaS

  Data Management

  • Database management systems
  • Databases
  • Database administration and development
  • Data integration and intelligence

Service scope

• Service constraints: N/A
• System requirements: Web Browser
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: Based on SLA Agreement.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: EN 301 549
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Yes
• Web chat support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support accessibility standard: EN 301 549
• Web chat accessibility testing: Web chat testing protocol will be agreed with the client as part of our service design process.
• Onsite support: Yes
• Support levels: We adapt our support to the needs of the users and can offer most support levels requested by clients. We have provided all combinations of first, second, and third line support to our clients; we have provided all combinations of UK business hours, UK extended business hours, US business hours and 24/7 support facilities to our clients. We have provided both real-time telephone support, email support, and on-call support. The costs of each of these models is tailored to the specific needs of our clients to ensure the right level of support is provided to the service in question. In all of our client engagements there will be a dedicated account manager – and typically a cloud support engineer or technical account manager depending on the needs of the client.
• Support available to third parties: Yes
• AI chatbot: No

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: We provide various resources to help users start using our service. This includes comprehensive online documentation with guides and FAQs, interactive webinars for live learning sessions, and personalized onsite training for organizations. Our goal is to offer users the support they need to confidently utilize our service, whether through self-paced learning or personalized assistance.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • ODF
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: When the contract ends, users can extract their data through our service's export functionality. They initiate the process via our web interface or API, selecting the desired data sets. We offer guidance and support throughout, ensuring a smooth transition.
• End-of-contract process: When the contract ends, users can extract their data through our service's export functionality. They initiate the process via our web interface or API, selecting the desired data sets. We offer guidance and support throughout, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Documentation accessibility standard: EN 301 549

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Using the web interface: Reply's platform as a service (PaaS) offers customers a personalized platform designed to meet their specific needs. The web interface is adaptable to meet various requirements, with common functionalities including environment creation and deletion, scaling, and software deployment through pipelines. The extent of customization is subject to the technical capabilities of the services necessary for the platform's operation.
• Web interface accessibility standard: EN 301 549
• Web interface accessibility testing: We ensure web interface accessibility by employing accessibility testing tools. These tools help us evaluate the usability and inclusivity of our interfaces for users utilizing assistive technologies such as screen readers or voice recognition software. Through these assessments, we identify and address any potential accessibility barriers, ensuring that our web interfaces are user-friendly and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Through our API, users can seamlessly set up and configure our service according to their needs. Initially, users can utilize the API to provision accounts, configure settings, and integrate our service into their existing workflows. This includes tasks such as creating user profiles, defining access permissions, and configuring various service features.; Additionally, users can make changes to their setup and configuration dynamically through the API. They have the flexibility to update user profiles, adjust access permissions, and modify service configurations in real-time.; However, there are some limitations to the actions users can perform through the API. Certain administrative tasks or sensitive operations may be restricted to prevent unauthorized access or unintended modifications.
• API automation tools:
  • Ansible
  • OpenStack
  • SaltStack
  • Terraform
  • Puppet
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • Open API (also known as Swagger)
  • HTML
  • ODF
  • PDF
• Command line interface: Yes
• Command line interface compatibility: Linux or Unix
• Using the command line interface: Users can leverage our command line interface (CLI), such as the "Reply CLI", to perform various tasks efficiently. Initially, users can set up the service through the CLI by executing commands to provision accounts, configure settings, and initialize the service within their environment. This includes tasks like creating user profiles, defining access permissions, and configuring service features, all accomplished via command line commands.; Moreover, users can make changes to their setup and configuration seamlessly through the CLI. They can update user profiles, adjust access permissions, and modify service configurations in real-time by executing appropriate CLI commands.; However, there may be some limitations to the actions users can perform through the CLI. Certain administrative tasks or sensitive operations might be restricted to prevent unauthorized access or unintended modifications.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: We ensure user experience by implementing robust infrastructure and resource management strategies:; ; Scalability: Our service scales to meet demand, dynamically allocating resources.; ; Resource Isolation: We segregate resources to prevent one user's activities from affecting others.; ; Load Balancing: Traffic is evenly distributed across multiple servers, ensuring optimal performance.; ; Performance Monitoring: We continuously monitor and address performance issues proactively.; ; SLAs: Our SLAs guarantee consistent service levels, regardless of demand fluctuations.
• Usage notifications: Yes
• Usage reporting:
  • API
  • Email
  • SMS
• Optimising consumption: Yes
• Automatic scaling: Yes

Analytics

• Infrastructure or application metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Other
• Other metrics:
  • CPU
  • Disk
  • Memory
  • Network
  • Number of Instances
• Reporting types: Real-time dashboards
• Resource tagging: No
• FOCUS resource tagging: No

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra features and support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Amazon Web Services

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 4.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest: Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type: Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase

Backup and recovery

• What’s backed up:
  • Virtual Machines: Complete snapshots of virtualized computing environments.
  • Databases: Structured data from relational or NoSQL database management systems.
  • Applications: Configuration settings, user preferences, and application data files.
  • System Settings: Operating system configurations, registry settings, and preferences.
  • Cloud Storage: Data stored in cloud-based storage platforms and services.
• Backup controls: Users have granular control over backup schedules and configurations through our service's flexible settings. They can specify which items to back up and define individual schedules based on their priorities and requirements.
• Datacentre setup: Multiple datacentres with disaster recovery
• Scheduling backups: Users schedule backups through a web interface
• Backup recovery: Users contact the support team
• Backup and recovery: Yes
• RPO/RTO: Yes

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: SLA's negotiated on a client by client basis
• Approach to resilience: Our service is designed with resilience at its core, featuring redundancy to eliminate single points of failure and maintain continuity in the face of hardware failures or outages. Load balancing technologies evenly distribute incoming traffic across multiple resources, preventing overload and ensuring optimal performance. Robust disaster recovery plans, including regular backups and failover mechanisms, swiftly restore operations in the event of catastrophic events. Geographic diversity across multiple data centers provides redundancy, ensuring service availability even during regional disruptions. Automated monitoring and response systems continuously monitor performance, triggering rapid responses to anomalies to minimize downtime. Additionally, our service scales seamlessly to accommodate fluctuations in demand, ensuring consistent performance under varying load conditions. Through these resilience features, we guarantee our users high availability, reliability, and uninterrupted service operations.
• Outage reporting: Our service reports outages promptly through multiple channels to ensure users are promptly informed and updated. Users receive notifications on the service dashboard and via email alerts, providing real-time updates on the status of the service and any ongoing issues. Additionally, we maintain a dedicated status page where users can check the current status of the service and receive updates on outages or scheduled maintenance. Furthermore, users can reach out to our support team through various channels for assistance, ensuring that they receive prompt support and updates on outage resolution efforts.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: We implement SSO, allowing users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple systems and applications within our service ecosystem. This streamlines the login process and also reduces the risk associated with managing multiple passwords. Furthermore, we enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security. Users are required to provide additional forms of verification beyond just a password, such as a one-time code sent to their registered mobile device or email. This approach enhances security by mitigating risks associated with stolen/compromised passwords. Additionally, we monitor and update our authentication protocols to stay ahead of emerging threats.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication: Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
• Devices users manage the service through: Dedicated device on a government network (for example PSN)

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: User-defined
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: User-defined
• How long system logs are stored for: User-defined

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: We adhere to a comprehensive set of information security policies and processes to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our systems and data. Our policies cover areas such as data protection, access control, incident response, and compliance with relevant regulations and standards. Our reporting structure includes designated information security officers responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of these policies. We ensure policies are followed through regular audits, assessments, and compliance reviews conducted by internal and external auditors. Additionally, we provide ongoing training and awareness programs to educate employees about their responsibilities regarding information security and reinforce compliance with our policies. Incident response procedures are in place to address any security incidents promptly, with post-incident reviews conducted to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. Overall, our robust information security framework ensures that policies are effectively implemented, monitored, and enforced to safeguard our systems and data.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Configuration and change management approach: When changes are proposed, they undergo stringent assessment for potential security impact before implementation. Our change management board, comprising security experts and stakeholders, meticulously reviews proposed changes. These changes are evaluated based on their potential to introduce security vulnerabilities or impact our services' overall security posture. Additionally, we conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate any potential security risks associated with the proposed changes. Only after these assessments and necessary mitigations are completed do we approve changes for implementation.
• Vulnerability management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Vulnerability management approach: Our vulnerability management process, aligned with CSA CCM v3.0.1, involves ongoing threat assessment through internal scans, external tests, and monitoring industry threat intelligence. Prioritising vulnerabilities by severity, we deploy patches promptly after rigorous testing. Our information sources include vendor advisories, industry feeds, and collaborative initiatives, ensuring proactive threat mitigation and service security.
• Protective monitoring type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: Our protective monitoring processes swiftly identify potential compromises through automated tools and real-time analysis of system logs and user behaviour. When a compromise is detected, our incident response team immediately initiates predefined procedures, including isolating affected systems and escalating the incident as needed. We prioritize rapid response to incidents, guided by predefined service level agreements (SLAs) to minimize impact and ensure the security of our systems and data.
• Incident management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v4.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Incident management approach: We have pre-defined processes in place for common events, which are documented in our incident management framework. Users can report incidents through various channels, including dedicated incident reporting forms on our platform, email, or through our customer support channels. Once an incident is reported, our incident response team assesses the severity and initiates the appropriate response procedures based on predefined criteria, such as impact on service availability or data integrity. Throughout the incident resolution process, we provide regular updates and communication to affected users, keeping them informed of progress and expected resolution times.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: No

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Separation between users

• Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart: Yes
• Who implements virtualisation: Third-party
• Third-party virtualisation provider: AWS Virtualisation
• How shared infrastructure is kept separate: AWS uses virtualization technologies to create isolated environments, ensuring that each organisation's data and applications remain separate. Network segmentation is achieved through VPCs and subnetting, which allow organizations to define their own network boundaries and control traffic flow. Access controls, including IAM (Identity and Access Management) policies and resource-based policies, restrict access to authorized personnel only. Encryption is enforced for data in transit and at rest using services like AWS Key Management Service (KMS) and SSL/TLS. Continuous auditing and monitoring through services like AWS CloudTrail and Amazon GuardDuty help detect and respond to any unauthorized access or security incidents.

Energy efficiency

• Energy-efficient datacentres: Yes
• Description of energy efficient datacentres: Our data centers strictly adhere to the EU Code of Conduct for Energy Efficient Data Centres, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and sustainability practices. We employ advanced energy efficiency measures such as optimized cooling systems, server configurations, and renewable energy integration to minimize our environmental impact. Additionally, we prioritize waste heat recovery and provide comprehensive employee training to promote energy-saving initiatives. Regular reporting and benchmarking against industry standards help us track our progress and identify areas for improvement.; ; For further details on our commitment to energy efficiency in the cloud, please visit Amazon's Sustainability page.

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Discount

• Provide your minimum discount applicable to your baseline prices: 2.5%

Formula for calculating price of your services

• Formula for calculating price of your services:

  Which of the core deployment models you intend to offer

  Public Cloud

  Public Cloud - Formula for calculating price of your services

  ---

  Total Cost

  The Total Cost for a buyer's call off requirement in a Public Cloud Deployment

  =

  Baseline Pricing

  Baseline pricing for the services is based on Google Cloud’s publicly available pricing catalogue, which provides usage-based pricing for cloud services. The catalogue sets out unit pricing, charging models, and applicable discounts, and supports cost transparency and budgeting.

  Baseline Pricing - Web link

  https://cloud.google.com/pricing

  -

  Minimum Discounting

  2.5%

  +

  Onboarding Activity

  Onboarding costs may vary based on your specific requirements, please confirm with suppliers during the clarification process

  +

  Additional sources of cost

  Buyers may incur additional costs for optional services such as training or enablement, remediation or configuration activities, and migration or transition services, depending on their requirements and scope.

  -

  Additional sources of cost reduction

  Buyers may achieve cost reductions through multi-year usage commitments with Google Cloud, reducing unit pricing, and by choosing to in-source selected elements of service delivery where appropriate. Additional savings may be realised through negotiated Google Cloud discounts and ongoing optimisation of service usage, subject to agreed commercial arrangements.

  ---

• Total Cost: The Total Cost for a buyer's call off requirement in a Public Cloud Deployment
• Baseline Pricing: Baseline pricing for the services is based on Google Cloud’s publicly available pricing catalogue, which provides usage-based pricing for cloud services. The catalogue sets out unit pricing, charging models, and applicable discounts, and supports cost transparency and budgeting.
• Baseline Pricing - Web link: https://cloud.google.com/pricing
• Minimum Discounting: 2.5%
• Onboarding Activity: Onboarding costs may vary based on your specific requirements, please confirm with suppliers during the clarification process
• Additional sources of cost: Buyers may incur additional costs for optional services such as training or enablement, remediation or configuration activities, and migration or transition services, depending on their requirements and scope.
• Additional sources of cost reduction: Buyers may achieve cost reductions through multi-year usage commitments with Google Cloud, reducing unit pricing, and by choosing to in-source selected elements of service delivery where appropriate. Additional savings may be realised through negotiated Google Cloud discounts and ongoing optimisation of service usage, subject to agreed commercial arrangements.

Mandatory certifications

• Mandatory certifications:

  Are you are bidding to offer IaaS and/or PaaS as a reseller or are you in sole control of the infrastructure

  Reseller

  Cloud service suppliers you intend to resell with evidence

  Organisation 1

  Organisation name

  Oracle

  Website address/upload for organisation

  Website address

  Website address

  https://partner-finder.oracle.com/?CompanyNumber=3-1213085820&page=shell&shell=partner-finder&partner-finder=partner-finder-profile

  Organisation 2

  Organisation name

  Google

  Website address/upload for organisation

  Website address

  Website address

  https://cloud.google.com/find-a-partner/partner/reply

  Organisation 3

  Organisation name

  Amazon Web Services

  Website address/upload for organisation

  Website address

  Website address

  https://partners.amazonaws.com/partners/001E000000NaBI4IAN/Reply

  ISO 9001 certification

  Provided

  ISO 27001 certification

  Provided

  ISO 20000-1 certification

  Provided

  Are you reliant on the Cloud Service Provider for some accreditations

  Yes

Cyber Essentials

• Do you have a Cyber Essentials Plus certificate?: Yes
• Cyber Essentials Plus certificate Number: Ef4fcf52-aa92-481d-8ba6-73e89766db6e

Non-mandatory Standards and certifications

• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): Yes
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Other security certifications: No

Social value

• Section B - Commitment for Future: Delivery:

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

    • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
    • New apprenticeships on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b
    • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
    • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
    • Ensuring new workers are informed of their right to join a trade union
    • Monitoring of employee engagement rates (by protected characteristic) and, where necessary, the development of actions to ensure all voices are heard across the diversity of the workforce
    • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
    • Activities to cascade good practice on fair working conditions throughout the supply chain
    • Offer a pay and leave entitlement to all eligible staff who become kinship carers, ideally equivalent to statutory adoption pay and leave
    • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
    • Monitoring and reporting of gender and ethnicity pay gaps and plans to address them where necessary
    • Entitlement to sick pay for the contract workforce, with provision in place for any staff who do not meet the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, payment of sick pay from day one of absence and payment of staff on the contract workforce who are off sick a replacement income of 100% of their usual earnings for as long as possible
    • Plans for an appropriate income replacement policy for staff who are required to spend time away from work to care for a sick dependent or close relative
    • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
    • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Volunteering opportunities for staff
    • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
    • Measures to identify, mitigate and manage modern slavery risks relating to the contract and how these will be implemented
    • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling
    • How these flow down the supply chain and are monitored Illustrative examples include reporting, site visits, audits, etc.
    • How to ensure business decisions re: price/cost, short lead times, payment timescales do not create modern slavery risks in the supply chain
    • How the supplier will work with NGOs, trade unions or other businesses to address modern slavery risk
    • Means of influencing staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders with respect to modern slavery risks relating to the contract

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

    • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering
    • Delivery of apprenticeships, supported internships and T Level industry placement opportunities (Level 2, 3 and 4+) in relation to the contract

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

    • Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
    • Activities to identify opportunities to open up sub-contracts under the prime contract to a diverse range of businesses, including new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
    • Plans for engaging a diverse range of businesses in engagement activities prior to appointing subcontractors (including activities prior to award of the main contract and during the contract term)
    • Activities that demonstrate a collaborative way to work with a diverse range of businesses as part of the supply chain
    • Advertising of supply chain opportunities openly and to ensure they are accessible to a diverse range of businesses, including advertising all subcontracting opportunities on Contracts Finder
    • Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees
    • Structuring of the supply chain selection process to ensure fairness (e.g. anti-corruption) and encourages participation by a diverse range of businesses, including with regard to new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutual
    • Understanding of local demographics, needs and opportunities for the co-design of the goods, services and works to be delivered under the contract
    • Methods for engaging with different parts of the community (including the education system and charities representing the community) and how communities come together to inform decisions, strategy and projects to leave a positive legacy for future generations
    • Measures to involve local stakeholders and/or users in design (e.g. in the design of services, systems, products or buildings)
    • Plans for positive actions with community groups.
    • Measures for making facilities used in the delivery of the contract available for community groups, education or training
    • Measures to engage users and communities and build relationships to increase community integration build trust and influence how the contract is delivered
    • Plans to respond flexibly and adapt approaches to community engagement and initiatives
    • Support for community-led initiatives relevant to the contract. Illustrative examples: improving transport links; reducing loneliness; helping with English language proficiency; and facilitating social mixing among people with different backgrounds
    • Collaborating with anchor institutions and community groups to make facilities available for education, training or community events

  • Mission: Make Britain a clean energy superpower: To cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero

    Policy Outcome 4: Sustainable procurement practices: Reducing carbon footprints, minimising waste, and promoting the use of clean energy and green technologies.

    • Understanding of opportunities for additional environmental benefits delivery in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Collaborative ways of working with the supply chain to deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Delivery of additional environmental benefits through the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Understanding of how to influence staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement
    • Activities to reconnect people with the environment and increase awareness of ways to protect and enhance it

  • Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity: By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

    Policy Outcome 6: Employment and training: For those who face barriers to employment

    • Understanding of employment and skills issues, and of the skills and employment shortages of high growth sectors relating to the contract
    • Creation of employment opportunities particularly for those who face barriers to employment, such as prison leavers, care leavers and/or who are located in deprived areas, and for people in industries with known skills shortages or in high growth sectors
    • Delivery of training schemes and programmes to address any identified skills gaps and under-representation in the workforce for the contract (e.g. prison leavers, care leavers, kinship carers, disabled people)
    • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
    • Understanding of the issues affecting the representation of disabled people in the workforce in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Collection of the views and expertise of disabled people and their representative organisations on successfully supporting disabled employees or applicants
    • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, and retention-focused activities, including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
    • Introducing transparency to pay and reward processes
    • Offering a range of quality opportunities with routes of progression if appropriate, e.g. T Level industry placements, students supported into higher level apprenticeships.
    • Working conditions which promote an inclusive working environment and promote retention and progression
    • Other measures to provide equality of opportunity for disabled people and those with health conditions into employment, including becoming a Disability Confident employer and inclusion of supported businesses in the contract supply chain
    • Understanding of the issues affecting inequality in employment, skills and pay in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors. Measures to tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce
    • Inclusive and accessible development practices, including guidance for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition

  • Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity: By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

    Policy Outcome 7: Creating a pipeline of opportunities: For the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

    • Understanding of the issues affecting the development of new skills by target cohort
    • Understanding of the underlying factors affecting improvements to reduce barriers to entry and training schemes for the target cohort(s) related to the contract workforce
    • Other measures to offer development opportunities for the target cohort(s) in the contract workforce
    • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
    • Understanding of issues relating to entering the contract workforce
    • Creation of outreach activities to create a pipeline of employees for the future contract delivery
    • Content of the outreach activity is designed to suit the target cohort
    • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort

  • Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future: That is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

    Policy Outcome 8: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: In the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

    • Understanding of issues relating to health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health, in the contract workforce
    • Understanding barriers to access to health and social care services or employment opportunities e.g. digital inclusion
    • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition
    • Actions to invest in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the contract workforce

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at glue.frameworks@reply.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.