Having been split in two for its sixth iteration, one of government’s landmark tech buying vehicles is being reunited into a single deal, with a significantly expanded length and value

The Crown Commercial Service has revealed outline plans for the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 framework – with the estimated value of the agreement predicted to more than double.

A planning notice about the procurement vehicle also confirms that the two effective halves of the framework – digital outcomes and digital specialists – will be reunited, having been split into two separate deals since 2022.

First launched 2016, the first five versions of the arrangement were dubbed Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS), and enabled public-sector buyers to access support for digital projects, as well as offering the ability bring in additional staff in tech roles.

The sixth iteration saw the framework split into two: Digital Outcomes 6, which was valued at about £1bn: and the larger Digital Specialists and Programmes which, with estimated price tag of around £4.8bn, is intended to help public bodies deliver major transformation projects.

The two agreements both came into effect three years ago and, having been extended to their full term, each runs until March 2026. The extensions to the two deals, announced late last year, were made following ministers’ decision to delay the practical introduction of the reforms set out in the Procurement Act that passed into law in 2023.

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About six weeks before the newly extended arrangements expire, the Crown Commercial Service hopes to commence the new DOS 7 framework. The planning notice stipulates that the arrangement is expected to run for six years.

During this time, a projected £14.4bn, inclusive of VAT, will be spent by government buyers via DOS 7. This represents an increase of about 150% compared with the combined £5.8bn price tag attached to the two incumbent deals.

The notice says: “This framework enables public-sector organisations to procure suppliers to deliver digital, data, and technology services in line with government policies, standards, and best practices. The scope for this framework contract supports delivery across all service manual agile life-cycle phases (discovery, alpha, beta, live and retirement) to deliver application development and user-centred design services to build great digital products and services that meet citizen needs.”

The document adds that the government procurement agency has been undertaking “premarket engagement” for the past year, including a series of “supplier surgeries” held last month.

Prospective providers are asked to register their interest in bidding for a place on the framework as CCS is “trying to understand how many bidders there will be”.

The current Digital Outcomes 6 agreement features more than 3,000 suppliers, while Digital Specialists and Programmes – despite its much larger value – has a comparatively select base of just 75 providers.