Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
ESN's proposed technology is more credible but may still be immature
Conclusion
The Department now intends for ESN to use technology that is ‘as off-the-shelf as it can be’.48 The Independent Assurance Panel told us that the technology ESN is proposing to use is now more credible than when ESN started, in part because telecommunications standards have moved on, and now cover the features that ESN needs, including push- 36 Letter to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee from Kier Pritchard, Chief Constable, NPCC lead for ESMCP, 15 May 2023 37 Qq 47, 48 (27 March) 38 Q 51 (27 March) 39 Qq 87, 89–91 (27 March) 40 ESN0001 41 Mobile radio network services, Competition & Markets Authority, 5 April 2023 42 Qq 54–58 (27 March) 43 Q 20 (26 April) 44 Qq 54–55, 58 (27 March) 45 Q 16 (27 March); C&AG’s Report, para 14 46 Qq 69–70 (27 March) 47 Q 75 (27 March), Q 54 (26 April) 48 Qq 15, 72–74 (27 March) 12 The Emergency Services Network to-talk.49 It noted that Airwave is a sophisticated network to replace, more so than similar networks in other countries, and has many requirements that ESN technology must support.50 The Independent Assurance Panel considered that there is still a need examine the new supplier’s approach carefully, because the technology may still be a ‘little immature’.51
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating that commercial officials and independent experts have reviewed contract terms for value, and the new EE contract will be open-book with a gain-share mechanism. The contract allows for reprocurement of suppliers after two years, and the program follows international technical standards.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2023 6.2 Home Office commercial officials and Cabinet Commercial Services have reviewed the non-binding heads of terms, and independent economists and commercial lawyers have critiqued these reviews to ensure to the greatest extent possible that a contract based upon these terms represents value for money. 6.3 The new contract with telecommunications company EE will be awarded on an open book basis with a gain share mechanism built in. This will give us visibility over their costs and gross profit margin, with any savings made through, for example, greater efficiency, being shared between EE and the Home Office. 6.4 The new contract will be structured to allow for the Home Office to reprocure all ESN suppliers around 2 years after programme completion. 6.5 The entire programme is being delivered in line with international technical standards. This will enable commercial competition for the supply of all elements at regular intervals.