Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Despite the Department appointing a contractor which could not deliver the system, the Department felt...
Conclusion
Despite the Department appointing a contractor which could not deliver the system, the Department felt its procurement process was run successfully overall.76 In response to ICF’s proposed costs being far below the other two bidders, the Cabinet Office undertook a low-cost review of the scheme administrator’s bid during the procurement. Its review stated that the Department should undertake further technical assessment on 70 Qq 55–59 71 Qq 53–55, 58, Note dated 1 October 2021 from Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy paras 5–7 72 Managing Public Money, Box 3.2, p 16, Managing public money - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 73 C&AG’s Report, paras 16, 3.9, 3.12 74 Qq 62, 131–132, 137 75 Q145 76 Q144 Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme 17 the scheme administrator’s proposed solution, which the Department did not undertake.77 The Department accepted that it should have carried out a deeper and more thorough technical assessment, and that this could have prevented some of the issues it experienced subsequently. However, at the time it felt it understood the reasons for ICF’s lower costs, which were related to its accelerated speed of implementation.78
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 5.2 The department carries out due diligence checks at all stages of a procurement and considers in-house solutions and delivery through public sector bodies, as recommended elsewhere in this document. 5.3 Before a procurement the department will: • where appropriate, consider a two-stage process to get suppliers involved earlier in the design, subject to necessary non-disclosure agreements, • undertake a robust assessment of the key suppliers in the market against the proposed route to market to maximise delivery confidence, including track record, using early engagement to build interest, shape the specification and test the evaluation criteria and key requirements, • analyse the standard Crown Commercial Services (CCS) framework contract to ensure it offers sufficient protection if things go wrong and regular contract break points. Even if the scope of services is a match, the lack/inadequacy of appropriate relevant clauses should mean the framework agreement procurement route is dismissed and a different route offering greater protection and benefits chosen, • collaborate with CCS for urgent, high value and critical procurements, • confirm with CCS original award criteria for suppliers (to be on the framework), identify and mitigate gaps with appropriate questions and evaluation criteria. Implement the government’s Sourcing Playbook advice on clarity of specification, designing evaluation criteria and avoiding a bias towards low-cost bids, and • engage GDS to help develop evaluation criteria for relevant IT systems and assess example or pilot software. 5.4 Once bids have been received, the department will: • carry out all checks permitted under the Public Contract Regulations and its forthcoming replacement legislation • ensure a thorough evaluation of the implementation plan from bidders with appropriate reality checks from experienced evaluators. • where appropriate, check sustainability of pricing received in supplier bids through forensic accountancy and where material variances exist, consider undertaking an Abnormally Low Bids assessment. • where timing permits, explore deliverability and the implementation plan of the preferred supplier before contract award, including meeting, briefing and establishing faith in their mobilisation team and exploring all issues/dependencies raised by evaluators during assessment.