BSF ICT procurement

The project issues
The Council was about to implement its BSF programme and wanted to procure the ICT component from specialist education ICT suppliers. It also had tight deadlines for implementing the programme. Socitm Consulting was asked to provide independent expertise to support the BSF ICT procurement and contract roll-out process.

The Socitm Consulting solution
The project began with a series of meetings with key staff from schools and the Council’s Education Service to explore and clarify the priorities for ICT provision in schools. Meetings with the construction companies were also held to integrate ICT needs into the wider design process.

A procurement process was initiated which we helped to manage, and a preferred bidder was identified. A negotiated procedure with the preferred bidder followed, which included discussions with the construction companies, and a final contract was negotiated and signed.

The benefits to the client
By providing independent expertise in BSF ICT procurement, negotiation with construction companies and ICT infrastructure implementation, we were able to support the Council in identifying a supplier able to deliver ICT services across 17 schools to tight deadlines. By drawing on our external experience, the Council was able to ensure that ICT was fully embedded as part of the wider design and construction process and that ICT services would be delivered on an ongoing basis as an integral part of its Educational Service.

Project identification
Client organisation: Manchester City Council
Client contact: Dave Carty, Head of PPP Unit, 0161 234 4610, d.carty@manchester.gov.uk 
Lead consultant: karen.reddy@socitmconsulting.co.uk
Project no: 5498