Direct Projects into Public Sector (Sort of)

[m0n1k3r]

Without any explanation from Andy I wouldn't want to guess that.

It could equally well be due to the new DOS framework which is supposedly designed to allow specialists to bypass agencies... The weakness with that is that I believe proposals need to be written which is time consuming - and may let agencies in via the backdoor...

The DOS framework requires the supplier (e.g. the consultancy) to take responsibility for their specialists, teams, deliverables and outcomes, including warranty periods, something that an agency would never want to do. For that reason it is often not suitable for contractors who are just looking for a "job". In many cases the requirements also mean that work can't be subcontracted. The consultancies who are suppliers on the framework may occasionally use a recruiter to find contractors for opportunities there, but would usually just use their own staff or hire people on fixed term contracts. When the framework opened for applications, there was also a warning to recruiters that the DOS framework is probably not for them.

[Andy Hallett]

We are still reviewing our position around April 2017. As it stands it it looks like most contractors will be caught by IR35 and as an intermediary we'll have to make a PAYE deduction at source. I'd imagine the impact will be a swing back to the brollies and an exodus of professional contractors from the public sector based on the current proposals.

[swamp]

Unless it's a way round the April 2017 public sector IR35 rules, I'm not sure what the point of this proposal is.

[westtester]

Given that the MoD are already forcing all contractors inside IR35 (or out of the building altogether), I'd be interested to know how you can get around the new rules. We're told it applies "where the appointee is not engaged directly on departmental payrolls", which pretty much covers anyone who isn't a permie as far as I can tell.

[Andy Hallett]

So just for clarity, you want us to identify vacancies for you and then cut you in?

You'll likely be able to charge it on top of your agreed rate.

I'd expect to be asked for two references.

Naturally

I assume this is to get around the Off-Payroll debacle that is on the horizon?

As we are unsure of what is happening yet, how does your plan work, or what is your plan?

N/A

Wouldn't that need you to change the PS's resourcing model which has only just been tightened up and is going to be very difficult to do?

No, we are supporting that tightened up model.

[Andy Hallett]

A lot of Public Sector clients won't necessarily already be able to contract with you directly, or indeed wish to.

We have gone through an extensive process to secure a place on the RM971 framework, that allows us to place contractors with circa 35,000 public sector organisations, giving them the surety that all the compliance checks required for those roles have been done (ironically this does include two references ).

If you can go direct, great, no need for us. If you can't, the idea was to make it a usable product that had value for you.

We await the result of the consultation into the off-payroll rules for April 2017, and the above is unrelated.

[DaveB]

I've done a couple of pieces of direct work for the PS and it's been pretty straight forward. PO raised, work done, bill paid.

This was with smaller bodies though, local council level where the ;procurement processes are a bit more flexible. Trying to deal direct with big Departments is a different issue.

Depending on the model being proposed I can see Capita getting their knickers in a twist about someone trying to do an end run on their cosy little CL1 arrangement.

[SimonMac]

Without any explanation from Andy I wouldn't want to guess that.

It could equally well be due to the new DOS framework which is supposedly designed to allow specialists to bypass agencies... The weakness with that is that I believe proposals need to be written which is time consuming - and may let agencies in via the backdoor...

So the plan could be to bypass agencies, by using an agent

Guess we will need more info from Andy

[eek]

I assume this is to get around the Off-Payroll debacle that is on the horizon?

As we are unsure of what is happening yet, how does your plan work, or what is your plan?

Without any explanation from Andy I wouldn't want to guess that.

It could equally well be due to the new DOS framework which is supposedly designed to allow specialists to bypass agencies... The weakness with that is that I believe proposals need to be written which is time consuming - and may let agencies in via the backdoor...

[northernladuk]

Wouldn't that need you to change the PS's resourcing model which has only just been tightened up and is going to be very difficult to do?

[SimonMac]

Hi,

I am currently in the design phase of a product that could allow individual contractors to identify / arrange Public Sector roles directly and contract via us. The idea would be that PSec clients could award contracts under a compliant procured framework and contractors would be able to supply.

Obviously it is a very different proposition to the one of our traditional business we current identify and source the vacancies, for it it work it has to be contractor driven. So I can make the proposition as attractive as possible, what things would you look for under such an arrangement?

I assume this is to get around the Off-Payroll debacle that is on the horizon?

As we are unsure of what is happening yet, how does your plan work, or what is your plan?

[northernladuk]

I'd expect to be asked for two references.

[GB9]

So just for clarity, you want us to identify vacancies for you and then cut you in?

[Andy Hallett]

Hi,

I am currently in the design phase of a product that could allow individual contractors to identify / arrange Public Sector roles directly and contract via us. The idea would be that PSec clients could award contracts under a compliant procured framework and contractors would be able to supply.

Obviously it is a very different proposition to the one of our traditional business we current identify and source the vacancies, for it it work it has to be contractor driven. So I can make the proposition as attractive as possible, what things would you look for under such an arrangement?