Office of Government Commerce

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) was a UK Government Office established as part of HM Treasury in 2000. It was moved into the Efficiency and Reform Group of the Cabinet Office in 2010, before being closed in 2011.[1]

Office of Government Commerce Logo
1 Horse Guards Road, Office's Headquarters

The OGC operated through the Government Procurement Service, an executive agency now known as the Crown Commercial Service.

The purpose of the OGC was to support the procurement and acquisition process of public sector organisations in the UK through policy and process guidance and the negotiation of overarching service and provision frameworks. This was intended to improve value for money to the taxpayer, optimising the level of taxpayers equity directed towards the delivery of services. Similar organisations can be found in most western European countries, for instance Hansel Ltd. in Finland and Consip in Italy.

The OGC supported initiatives to encourage better supplier relations, sustainable procurement, the benefits of utilising smaller suppliers and the potential of eProcurement. Representing the UK at the European Union (EU), the organisation assisted the public sector application of EU procurement rules within the United Kingdom.

The OGC was a member of Procurement G6, an informal group leading the use of framework agreements and e-procurement instruments in public procurement.

Best practice models

The organisation used to act as sponsor for best practice of project, programme, risk and service management:

  • Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)
  • Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2)
  • Management of Risk (M_o_R)
  • Portfolio Management (MoP)
  • Value Management (MoV)
  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
  • Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices (P3O)

These areas of best practice are now owned jointly by the UK government and Capita, being managed by Axelos.

The problematic logo.

On 24 April 2008 it was reported in the Daily Telegraph that a new logo for OGC had been introduced at the cost of £14,000. The logo caused embarrassment because, when rotated 90° clockwise, it resembles a sexual connotation.[2] A spokesman for OGC said: “It is not inappropriate to an organisation that’s looking to have a firm grip on Government spend.”[3]

See also

References
  1. "Cabinet Office confirms end of OGC". 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  2. Simpson, By Aislinn. "OGC unveils new logo to red faces". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-26.
  3. Simpson, Aislinn (2008-04-24). "OGC unveils new logo to red faces". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
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