Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Obtain independent opinion on ESN's integration plan and resources upon new contract delivery.
Conclusion
We remain concerned the Department does not have the capability to successfully bring the various elements of ESN together. ESN is a complex programme which was set up using a commercial approach that the Department admits is suboptimal but has decided not to change. Persisting with the same commercial structure means it will still have to contend with the same problems of integrating the work of different suppliers. The software Motorola was delivering must work seamlessly with EE’s network, control room systems provided by an unknown number of vendors, and with devices (in aircraft and vehicles as well as handsets). We have often seen integration cause issues in major programmes, and remain concerned that the Department does not have the skills to make this work effectively. It has previously tried to use contracts to make suppliers responsible for integration or to acquire capabilities, but these approaches have not worked so far. Recommendation 4: By the time the new user services contract is in place, the Department should obtain an independent opinion on whether ESN has a credible integration plan and the resources in place to deliver it.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and will commission the Independent Assurance Panel (IAP) to monitor, comment on, and assure the integration plans of bidders for the User Services contract, their delivery, and dedicated resources, as well as overall integration with the mobile services contract.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. integration required for success. The department will commission the IAP to monitor, comment on and assure both the integration plans of the bidders for the User Services contract; the later delivery of them by the successful consortium; the appropriateness and scale of the resources dedicated to it; and the overall integration with the mobile services contract. The Home Office continues to strengthen the core capabilities of the Programme Management team, by recruiting experienced specialists and by establishing partnerships with external technical delivery experts. This includes ensuring the Home Office procures the full range of technical capabilities required from the new Lot 2 supplier.