The Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) reports that it has helped save the police service up to £30m a year by securing framework arrangements for the purchase of vehicles and vehicle spare parts.
PITO has worked in partnership with the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to increase the buying power of the police service to make long-term savings.
The framework arrangements enable customers to order vehicles and parts at pre-agreed, competitive prices offering them maximum contractual protection and value for money.
By aggregating the buying ability of the police service, PITO and its partners have created an umbrella arrangement, where not just the vehicles are procured but the vehicle spare parts too. With discounts obtained under these frameworks, police can save money on the vehicles themselves, replacement glass, new tyres and on spare parts.
One of the key benefits of such contractual agreements is the savings on the actual procurement and tenders of vehicles that forces previously had to manage individually – costing over £150,000 per force.
What they say
Alan Stanmore, Commercial Director at PITO said: "The advantages of the framework arrangement is that no matter what the size of the force fleet, they receive the same discount – offering reductions across the police service. By reducing the supplier base from 20 manufacturers to three, huge discounts and savings have been achieved."
The rationalisation of the market also offers the security and high standards expected, with police vehicles – such as high-speed pursuit vehicles and vans – having to pass rigorous safety tests, PITO adds. In this way, the NAPFM can guarantee that the vehicles have been subjected to the European New Car Assessment Programme (EuroNCAP).
Other government departments and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) are looking to PITO and the NAPFM as an example of best practice in fleet procurement, adds PITO.
About PITO
PITO is a non-departmental body overseen by a board that draws its members from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the police authorities, the Home Office and the Scottish Executive. The board also has independent members.
