Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
Dedicated staff for managing large technology suppliers remain insufficient across government.
Recommendation
Despite the technology market being dominated by large suppliers and changes in how they choose to negotiate and exercise leverage with government, we noted that GCF only had 15 people dedicated to the full–time management of the 19 largest technology suppliers. This compares to 4 in GDS. There are additionally around 6,000 commercial people in the GCF network across government, most of whom are not technical specialists and who are responsible for procuring, or supporting procurement of, general goods and services for government. GDS has not had formal responsibility for digital procurement in the past.10 We asked whether the voice of GDS was being heard clearly enough by the commercial team. GDS told us that “it is now. To be completely transparent, that close relationship has not always been in place.” 11
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, outlining a three-phased plan to raise digital commercial capability across the GCF by March 2026. Additionally, the GCF and DCCoE will undertake a review of resource levels dedicated to digital procurement and contract management capabilities by December 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the committee’s recommendation. Target implementation dates: first phase by September 2025, second phase by March 2026, final phase to be confirmed. 4.2 Within the GCF there are already 500 individuals who are considered experts in digital services procurement. These individuals are spread across departments in Digital Commercial Teams and lead the procurement of those services for their respective departments. 4.3 The government is seeking to build on this core expertise to broaden and deepen its digital commercial acumen across the GCF. GCF Capability, working with DSIT, has identified a three-phased approach to systematically raise the overall capability across the GCF. 4.4 This phased approach includes: • Phase 1: Raising the Baseline of Digital Capability. By September 2025. GCF and DSIT will have identified a number of existing courses that will raise awareness and understanding of digital services and technology. GCF staff will be required to complete these courses. • Phase 2: Broader Capability. By March 2026. To further build capability, there have been a further 11 hours of specific digital training courses identified by DSIT, which will need to be completed by GCF staff by March 2026. • Phase 3: Deeper Specialist Knowledge. A learning needs analysis will be carried out to identify the current skills gaps in commercial digital capability and identify the required training to overcome these. This will be carried out collaboratively by the GCF capability and DCCoE teams. Phase 3 steps are longer-term. 4.5 The government agrees with the committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2025 4.6 The GCF in conjunction with the DCCoE, will undertake a review of the level of resources aligned to digital procurement, that will have contract management capabilities and the extent to which Senior Business Owners have completed both the Commercial Foundation Awareness Course and Contract Management Capability Programme. Further detail will be provided to the Committee in December, in line with the target implementation date of December 2025.