Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Systems integration poses major ESN risk, with unknown control room system vendors
Recommendation
As with most digital programmes, the various elements of ESN need to work seamlessly together for ESN to work;70 This ‘systems integration’) is one of the main risks the Department needs to manage.71 For example, the push-to-talk technology needs to integrate with handsets for individuals and devices in vehicles and aircraft and the mobile network. Control rooms use an unknown number of other systems that link to Airwave and will therefore need upgrading. The Department does not know how many vendors provide these systems.72
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of systems integration, committing to commission the IAP to monitor and assure integration plans of bidders for the User Services contract by July 2024, and to strengthen the Programme Management team with specialists and external experts to address this complexity.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2024 4.2 The department has concentrated efforts on addressing the complexity of the integration required for success. 4.3 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. 4.4 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.