About the Digital Buying Guide
Why is there a need for the guide?
The potential of technology to improve public services and benefit society has never been greater. But this potential can be wasted when governments buy the wrong type of technology, fail to work effectively with suppliers or prioritise their needs over the needs of users.
The aim of the Digital Buying Guide is to present a new way of buying digital and technology products and services that is fair, open, transparent and effective.
The potential of technology to improve public services and benefit society has never been greater. But this potential can be wasted when governments buy the wrong type of technology, fail to work effectively with suppliers or prioritise their needs over the needs of users.
The aim of the Digital Buying Guide is to present a new way of buying digital and technology products and services that is fair, open, transparent and effective.
Who is the guide for?
The guide is for anyone who buys digital or technology services for the public sector. Information is intended to be internationally relevant and not limited to a specific legal or regulatory environment.
The guide is for anyone who buys digital or technology services for the public sector. Information is intended to be internationally relevant and not limited to a specific legal or regulatory environment.
How the guide can help
Following the guide will help you provide:
- better digital and technology services for communities
- higher integrity levels in technology buying
- more inclusive technology buying that benefits society
- more effective buying that delivers value for money
The guide aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and standards on anti-corruption and gender equality in public procurement.
Following the guide will help you provide:
- better digital and technology services for communities
- higher integrity levels in technology buying
- more inclusive technology buying that benefits society
- more effective buying that delivers value for money
The guide aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and standards on anti-corruption and gender equality in public procurement.
How it works
The guide gives practical advice at each stage of the technology buying cycle, from planning and defining needs through to managing the delivery of a product or service.
Each stage is supported by a growing set of case studies from public-sector organisations around the world.
The four stages in the buying cycle include: planning, informing the market, evaluation and award and managing delivery.
The guide gives practical advice at each stage of the technology buying cycle, from planning and defining needs through to managing the delivery of a product or service.
Each stage is supported by a growing set of case studies from public-sector organisations around the world.
The four stages in the buying cycle include: planning, informing the market, evaluation and award and managing delivery.
Who created the guide?
The Digital Buying Guide was created by the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the OECD, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC).
The Digital Buying Guide was created by the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the OECD, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC).
Get in touch
Want to give feedback on the guide? Fill out our short survey to help us improve.
Have an idea for a case study? Contact us
Want to give feedback on the guide? Fill out our short survey to help us improve.
Have an idea for a case study? Contact us