OPEN, the DCSF’s new e-procurement system for schools, is expected to be rolled-out to all schools later this year. Following the Gershon Review, the DCSF was set an efficiency target of £1bn to be achieved by March 2008, which is now unlikely to happen. However, the DCSF believes that more efficient procurement and effective spending in schools will play a major part in eventually achieving these savings.

So far 1,100 schools have participated in two pilot phases. When the system is fully implemented, schools will be able to purchase and pay for goods and services online from a range of suppliers and not just those that have been used traditionally. This will create a marketplace where, in theory, schools can compare the prices of similar products and services, providing suppliers are on the system.

The Government would like school suppliers to sell through OPEN although the problems associated with Curriculum Online are discouraging many to join the system. Even if everyone were to join, would OPEN really save schools any money? To date, there has been no published information from the pilot programme to indicate any potential savings that can be achieved by an individual school. Surely if the DCSF wants schools to use the system, information needs to be published to show the benefits.

The scheme is good news for PA Consulting Group, which has been contracted by the DCSF to deliver OPEN. PA will lead a consortium including Elcom Systems Limited, IMPAQ Business Solutions Limited and ProcServe.

www.dfes.gov.uk/open