The RM6331 framework for soft facilities management from Crown Commercial Service started on 20 February 2024 and ends on 19 February 2027.
All public sector and central government bodies can use this agreement but it is specifically designed to meet the needs of health care providers such as NHS acute trusts, community health trusts, mental health trusts, ambulance services and GPs.
It reflects all the latest NHS standards such as the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 and the HTM 07-01: Safe and sustainable management of healthcare waste.
Buyers can purchase single services from an individual lot or purchase multiple services in a bundled option.
What can I buy?
There are a variety of services trusts and GPs can buy. These include linen and laundry including the collection, wash and return of laundry and specialist laundry services, waste services including the collection, storage and removal of general, recycled, classified, clinical and medical waste.
As well as this, they can buy security including guarding services such as alarm response, access control, passes and perimeter guarding.
Visitor support services such as reception duties and telephony service and grounds maintenance (including soft landscaping, tree surgery, snow and ice clearance and planting) are also available.
Porterage services are purchasable, which includes transporting patients, stores, and equipment.
Trusts and GPs can also buy catering such as patient feeding, meeting hospitality, event catering, full restaurant services and vending services.
Finally, cleaning such as routine and reactive cleaning services, including pest control and ambulance vehicle decontamination is available.
What are the benefits?
The CCS said this framework has been designed around the needs of the NHS and the latest NHS standards.
One of the main pros of the framework is that it provides a simplified customer journey which allows buyers to purchase several services from one agreement.
Buyers can also call-off for single services or they can buy a bundle of services together to ensure all their needs are met.
It also offers an increase in opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid. The CCS added that the framework supports the NHS in reaching its Net Zero target.
If you need a refresher on what the health service has promised, the NHS aims to reach net zero by 2040, with an ambition to reach an 80 per cent reduction by 2028 to 2032.
All the suppliers for this agreement have committed to comply with the Procurement Policy Note 06/21: ‘Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts’ as required.
What are the lots?
You can find a full list of all the lots included in the framework, but here is a selection of some of the most notable ones.
Firstly, Lot 3f is focussed on Feminine Hygiene Waste and involves buying waste management services. This includes collection, transportation, recycling or recovery and disposal.
Another lot of note is Lot 2b which looks at ambulance and vehicle deep clean. By buying from this lot, they receive specialist ambulance and vehicle deep cleaning services including internal and external vehicle cleaning, vehicle decontamination and a make ready service.
Also, the Non-Hazardous Clinical Waste lot (Lot 3a) involves buying waste management services for non-hazardous clinical waste.
This includes collection, transportation, recycling or recovery/treatment and disposal.
Other lots include Patient Catering, Total Waste Management, and Specialist Cleanroom Laundry Services.
How do I buy? Before you can buy through this framework you will need to complete the Customer User Agreement (CUA) form.
Return the completed CUA form by email to info@crowncommercial.gov.uk quoting ‘RM6331 CUA’ in the subject line of the email.
Once your CUA form has been processed, you will receive a unique reference number which will give you access to use the framework.
Your unique reference number should be used on all communication between you, CCS and the supplier. Your unique reference number will help to identify you quickly and track your details.
