The UK’s leading digital body for tertiary education, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) is a publicly funded platform for higher education institutions to procure digital goods and services. These include, but are not limited to:
- Network and IT services
- Digital resources
- Relevant advice
- Digital infrastructure
- Procurement consulting
Additionally, JISC operates the Janet network, which is a high-speed network for research and education institutions in the UK.
What is JISC trying to achieve?
To put it simply, JISC provides digital solutions and services to UK universities, colleges, and research institutions. These services are used to:
- Support digital transformation: Helping education institutions embrace digital technologies and transform their operations and services, especially for international students
- Enhance teaching and learning: Through use of digital resources, JISC aims to provide the tools and platforms necessary for more effective and engaging learning
- Drive innovation: Fostering collaboration and partnerships, JISC promotes a best practice approach towards learning and provides advice/guidance to steer institutions towards greater success
- Ensure access to digital resources: Suppliers are awarded based on being the ‘Most Economically Advantageous Tender’ (MEAT). This means that their service/solution is the best value for money. As it is the UK taxpayer who pays for the services bought through JISC, value for money and the ease of sharing digital resources with students of all backgrounds is a top priority
- Support research and development: Using digital technologies to provide students with access to high-performance computing, data analytics, and other advanced technologies
Why should I sell my services through JISC?
If you are a supplier of digital solutions or services that are relevant to the UK education and research sectors, selling your services through JISC can provide you with advertisement and access to a large market that you might otherwise not have engaged with. As frameworks exist to make the procurement process easier for buyers, JISC vets suppliers based on their service offering and price to provide buyers with a stable pool of solutions to choose from. As these frameworks exist for the ease of the buyer, it is unlikely that these exact opportunities will become available outside of these frameworks.
The list of existing suppliers is available on all JISC frameworks, which means that you can research your competition before starting the writing process. This gives you a great opportunity to explore competing bidders and finetune your service offering in line with common buyer requirements. On the flipside, once successful, your business is listed for all competitors and buyers to see, increasing your visibility and reputation as JISC is a well-respected and trusted organisation.
What is a framework?
Rather than bidding for a direct award where there is only one successful supplier (or as otherwise specified), frameworks are a list of suppliers from whom the public buyer can choose to award contracts to. They can choose to either directly award a framework supplier, or they can choose to put the opportunity out to tender between the framework suppliers.
As such, when you are bidding for a framework, you are not bidding for contract award, but rather for a place on their successful suppliers list. Framework award doesn’t necessarily guarantee you contracts, but it certainly does narrow down the pool of competing suppliers for any opportunities that come up during the framework lifetime. Click here to learn more!
Note: Some framework opportunities mention ‘lots’. This is where the opportunity is split into parts, each varying in requirements, for example covering geographic areas or differing in scope. Each lot will award a specified number of suppliers, but this may differ between different lots within the same opportunity.
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Split between 4 main themes, JISC focuses on:
Connectivity | Global Education Access Framework: Providing overseas students with quality education, the Global Education Access Framework procures reliable and secure digital services for international students. Recognising that international students make up 20% of the UK’s student population, this is a large market for businesses that provide digital learning content and resources. This framework is split into 2 lots. Lot 1 provides secure and high-performance connectivity for education institutions in China. This includes virtual learning environments and other relevant content in China and is split between 3 suppliers. Lot 2 provides the same virtual learning environments but globally and is split between 2 suppliers. |
Network Equipment Framework: The Network Equipment Framework provides wired and Wi-Fi network equipment and solutions to educational institutions. This framework is split into 8 lots and is shared between 26 suppliers. The types of services covered in this framework include, but are not limited to: Network adapters Interface modules Transceivers Access points Voice over Internet protocol products Software Cabling Installation | |
Cyber security | Simulated Phishing and Associated Training Framework: Procuring cyber security software for educational institutions, the Simulated Phishing and Associated Training Framework provides opportunities for organisations to sell cyber security services that include, but are not limited to: Practical simulations Cyber security training Reporting This is a single supplier framework that runs for an initial 2 years, with the possibility for 2 1-year extensions. |
Vulnerability Assessment Service and Tools Supply Framework: The Vulnerability Assessment Service and Tools Supply Framework provides opportunities for suppliers to sell cyber vulnerability detection services and software. This is a 2-year opportunity that is split into 8 lots and is currently shared between 5 suppliers. The types of services procured through this framework include: Automated, security vulnerability assessments of IT assets, including reporting and guidance on remediation actions Tools and equipment to enable buyers to conduct their own vulnerability assessments | |
Web Filtering and Monitoring Framework: Safeguarding international students from inappropriate and illegal data, the Web Filtering and Monitoring Framework provides the following services to educational institutions: Web filtering Monitoring Reporting Support and training This framework is open to both cloud-based and local-based suppliers, offering opportunities for 6 awarded suppliers. | |
Cloud | Janet TXT Framework: Offering a secure SMS messaging service, the Janet TXT Framework is a 4-year opportunity that is awarded to 3 suppliers. Janet TXT is a free-to-use service used by educational institutions to facilitate: Instant messaging Mail merge functions Pre-schedule delivery Batch delivery to recipients Integration with virtual learning environments, such as Moodle Integration of contingency into business continuity plans |
OCRE Cloud Framework: Providing cloud-based infrastructure, platforms, and complementary software, the OCRE Cloud Framework provides opportunities for educational institutions to purchase 25 types of services. These include, but are not limited to: App hosting Computing Identity and access management Notifications Performance monitoring | |
Telephony Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS): Differing slightly to a framework, the Telephony DPS remains open to new suppliers throughout its duration and does not have a cap on the number of suppliers it lists. This means that new suppliers can join the DPS and existing suppliers have the flexibility to leave it, provided they meet the minimum requirements set out in the tender documentation. Unlike a framework agreement where the terms and conditions are set out in advance in a DPS, the organisation selects suppliers from a pool of qualified suppliers who have been pre-approved to supply goods, services or works. The services covered under this DPS include, but are not limited to: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking connectivity Private Branch Exchange (PBX) solutions Hosted PBX solutions, landline and mobile call charges Line rentals and ISDN connectivity Aggregated mobile services This is a 2-year agreement with the possibility of 4 1-year extensions, bringing the length to 6 years in total. | |
Open access | Research Outputs Depository DPS: This DPS provides software repositories and is a 1-year opportunity with the possibility of 3 1-year extensions. Successful suppliers on the Research Outputs Depository DPS will provide services that support established metadata schemas relevant to each research object type, for example DataCite, CrossRef, RIOXX, Ethos and have the capability to assign Digital Object Identifiers. Successful services will also support open methods of authentication for machine and human access (for example, UKAMF, Active Directory, OAuth, OpenID, SAML). |
JISC bid writing top tips
Winning a place on a JISC framework can be a competitive process, but there are several strategies that can help increase your chances of success. Here are some JISC bid writing top tips:
- Proofread your Selection Questionnaire (SQ): A mix of self-declared statements, the SQ requires suppliers to self-assess their professional, financial, and technical (amongst others) ability to perform the contracted works. Whilst this can appear at first a minefield of technical jargon, it is important to get right as many of the required fields are pass/fail. For help completing these documents, speak to our Bid Writers.
- Provide evidence throughout your bid: JISC representatives will want proof that your company will be valuable to their buyers through references and examples. Make sure that your examples are correct and legitimate, as falsifications can result in immediate disqualification.
- Read the specification and familiarise yourself with the framework agreement: To prove you can provide the greatest value for money, you will want to explain how you will meet the requirements of the specification for each lot. This may take some time, so make sure you set aside enough time before you begin the writing process to avoid rushing and to give you enough time to conduct any research.
- Apply separately for each lot: You may find that you are wanting to apply for multiple lots from the same buyer. To do so, you will have to apply for each lot individually. This will mean writing responses for each lot that is bespoke to the differences of lot requirements. To save time, you can reuse relevant information in responses, but make sure that at every stage you tailor this info to the requirements and questions asked.
- Give yourself the best chance of being selected: For some companies, it may take several years before framework placement is awarded. Given that JISC agreements tend to last between 2-6 years, missing out can lead to long periods of waiting and frustration. To put yourself in the best position to win, familiarise yourself with Contracts Finder (where all UK tender opportunities are published) and keep up to date with upcoming JISC opportunities. For more personalised opportunities, check out Tender Pipeline. Many Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) find it easier and less stressful to hire a Bid Writer to handle the tendering process. Alternatively, they may like to invest in Bid Writing training to provide them with the skills and knowledge to produce strong and competitive bids.
Common requirements for the JISC framework
Whilst the requirements for JISC frameworks will vary depending on the specific framework and the services being procured, writing winning bids since 2009, here are some common requirements our Bid Writers regularly come across:
- ISO certifications: Suppliers are commonly required to prove alignment/accreditation to various ISO standards. Any requirement for this will be set out in the specification, but it is good practice to regularly update and review your service/business in line with industry best practices and standards guidelines.
- Technical capabilities: Suppliers must demonstrate that they have the technical capabilities to deliver the services being procured. This may include requirements for specific software or hardware, data security, and interoperability with existing systems. These will always be outlined in the specification.
- Service level agreements: You may be required to provide service level agreements (SLAs) that specify the level of service that will be provided, including response times, uptime guarantees, and performance metrics. Using examples of where and how you have previously kept to these is an excellent way of demonstrating your ability to perform high-quality services for the framework.
Using Thornton and Lowe for JISC tender support
We know that our clients have what it takes to win, and we champion the SMEs that make it happen. With a success rate of 75% and 90% client retention, get in touch and let us be the voice that helps you to secure your JISC framework award today.
