The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is launching a reverse e-auction framework to procure construction materials for the education sector.

The Department for Education and Skills will run the framework, which is part of the OGC鈥檚 attempt to improve the efficiency of public sector procurement. It will provide contraction and maintenance materials for schemes under the 好色先生TV Schools for the Future programme and is due to start in spring 2007.

This is the second time the OGC has launched a reverse auction. The first was for the Decent Homes initiative. A third, for the health sector, will be launched sometime next year.

The auctions have been opposed by many in the industry, who fear that the lowest priced bid will always win.