Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted
The negotiation and approval processes for the first contract awarded to Randox in March 2020...
Conclusion
The negotiation and approval processes for the first contract awarded to Randox in March 2020 were unclear and not fully documented.25 The Department said that standard processes were in place at the time for commercial specialists to negotiate contracts, which included checking accreditations for services and tests, considering supply chain issues and assessing whether suppliers had the resources to deliver contracts. However, the Department admitted that it could not provide documentation to show any of this in writing for the Randox contract.26
Government Response Summary
The department has written to the Committee on 31 October 2022 with the details requested by the Committee, regarding details of when and how its commercial refresh will bring record-keeping up to standard and ensure that this is the case under all circumstances.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1: PAC conclusion: Woefully inadequate record-keeping by the Department makes it impossible to have confidence that all its contracts with Randox were awarded properly. 1: PAC recommendation: The Department should write to us within two months, setting out details of when and how its commercial refresh will bring record-keeping up to standard and ensure that this is the case under all circumstances. 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation Implemented 1.2 The department has written to the Committee on 31 October 2022 with the details requested by the Committee.