OPEN

The Online Procurement for Educational Needs (OPEN) Marketplace has been specifically designed for schools to make the buying of goods and services quicker, easier and simpler. This programme offers real choice and collaborative buying potential to schools.

OPEN is managed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). ProcServe provides the OPEN portal, procurement solutions and electronic marketplace as a managed service, based on the Zanzibar Marketplace, that makes it easier for schools to buy from their suppliers.

OPEN is available to all schools across England through Local Authorities. Efficient procurement releases funds to deliver better educational services and that good practice can be shared for the benefit of all.

Benefits for Schools

OPEN has real and significant benefits for schools:

• Schools' purchasers will have access to better information to help them make more informed purchasing decisions.
• It enables schools to access collaborative contracts at regional and national levels.
• Schools can invite their existing suppliers to join OPEN (including local suppliers) and will benefit from transaction data automatically downloading into their FMS (Financial Management System).
• It enables easy comparison of goods or services, removes the risk of out of date prices and is developed in line with schools' needs.
• There will be no charges to schools for the use of OPEN.

Benefits for Suppliers

• Even the smallest suppliers with an internet connection can be easily enabled to use OPEN and benefit from the efficiency of trading electronically with their school buyers.
• OPEN is free of transaction and subscription charges for suppliers
• Once registered, suppliers have access to a transaction portal, content management system and tools to further automate and integrate with their back-office systems.
• With one simple connection, suppliers will be able to publish and maintain catalogues, receive electronic purchase orders, produce and despatch electronic invoices and receive and respond to request for quotes. OPEN also allows users to ‘punch-out' to individual suppliers' catalogues.

What Next?

If you are a school and require further information, please send an email to schools.eprocurement@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk.

To register your interest as a supplier, please email suppliers.eprocurement@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk. Please include your name, organisation and contact details.

For more information, please visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/open/