Value Added Software Reseller Framework

Our objective is to establish a Value Added Reseller Framework that simplifies how we source and manage software, while improving outcomes across cost, risk, transparency and capability.

At a high level, we are seeking to

• Aggregate software spend where appropriate to improve pricing and commercial leverage, ultimately creating savings in this area.
• Reduce duplication and administrative burden associated with repeated procurements
• Introduce greater cost transparency through open book and cost plus models
• Access meaningful value added services such as Software Asset Management (SAM), optimisation and audit support
• Enable more proactive planning, renewal management and vendor negotiation
• Retain flexibility to buy outside the framework where this represents better value or lower risk

Our emerging proposal is to put in place a single supplier value added reseller framework to act as a strategic aggregation and enablement layer between us and the wider software vendor market.

Key features of the proposed model include

• Cost plus, pass through pricing for software licences
• Pre agreed framework terms and conditions
• Structured and transparent discount mechanisms
• Support for both large strategic vendors (e.g. hyperscalers) and niche software providers
• Non exclusive framework design

The scope under consideration includes, but is not limited to

• Commercial off the shelf software licensing
• Software maintenance and renewal management
• Licence compliance and audit support
• Software Asset Management (SAM) and optimisation
• Pre and post sales technical and commercial advice
• Price benchmarking and competitive price comparisons
• Management of vendor relationships and deal registration
• Asset recording and licence position reporting
• Hardware and related services

The appointed supplier would support the supply of software and associated value added activities as the sole supplier on a single supplier framework.

The purpose of this engagement is to explore viable commissioning options and assess market interest in delivering key services. The insights gained will help the FOS shape any future procurement strategy. This is preliminary market engagement only, not a call for competition and not scored.

FOS is seeking input from organisations with expertise in the software sector to understand market capability and procurement considerations.

We are seeking insight and feedback from potential VAR providers on our initial approach, particularly around the delivery of a cost‑plus passthrough model for software procurement and the range of value‑added services that may accompany it.

This activity is intended to explore market capability and gather insight only. It focuses on understanding the VAR market’s ability to support our requirements and does not involve supplier selection, down‑selection, or any form of bid evaluation.