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New marketplace to improve public sector tech access
The government has launched Spark, a new marketplace for innovation, providing a smarter way for public sector customers to access the very latest technologies.
Spark: The Technology Innovation Marketplace has been designed by Crown Commercial Service to support cutting edge products and markets that aren’t catered for in traditional commercial agreements. It will enable customers to use new but proven technologies which can drive public service innovation and cost-savings across the public sector.
The DPS remains open for applications and suppliers with suitable technologies are encouraged to apply. Currently, seven suppliers are already signed up to offer their goods and services, which could include innovative solutions in AI, the Internet of Things and wearable technology.
Niall Quinn, Director of Crown Commercial Service’s Technology Pillar, said: “Spark is the result of a wide-ranging review into how the public sector adopts new technologies. It has been developed to support SMEs through government buying power while stimulating growth in the UK technology sector. Because it is a DPS it will be continually open to new suppliers and will have functions built into the system that will help customers and suppliers to match capabilities to their needs.”
Spark was unveiled by Oliver Dowden, the Minister for Implementation during the launch of the Government’s Technology Innovation Strategy, in a keynote speech at CogX, The Festival of AI and Emerging Technology, on Monday 10 June.
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