GovPass Transition Services

Description

The purpose of this Voluntary Ex-ante Transparency Notice is to inform the market of the Authority's intention to secure the continued provision of services by Cipher10 Limited (CRN: 11949489) ("Supplier") on an interim basis upon expiry of the Supplier's existing contract with HMG dated 1 April 2023 pursuant to which the Supplier is responsible for maintaining and improving upon all aspects of GovPass ("Current Contract"). The Current Contract expires on 30 September 2024 and cannot be extended. The Authority intends to enter into a longer-term public contract in relation to the operation of the GovPass solution in or around June 2025 under CCS Framework RM6100 Technology Services 3 - Lot 4 (Major Services Transformation Programmes) and, in accordance with the framework terms, pursuant to the Further Competition Procedure (as defined and set out in Framework Schedule 5 (Call Off Procedure)) of said framework ("Future Contract"). As of today's date, the Future Contract has an estimated contract value of fifteen million pounds (£15,000,000) excluding VAT, and the Authority intends for its initial term to be three (3) years, with a right for the Authority to extend for twelve (12) months. To conduct the Further Competition Procedure, the Authority must develop its statement of requirements and, critically, conduct an enabling transition of the service to a new operating model and structure that aligns with the Authority's strategic intent for the operation of GovPass which the Authority anticipates will be supported and delivered under the Future Contract. Therefore this Voluntary Ex-ante Transparency Notice gives notice that the Authority proposes to enter into a new contract ("New Contract") directly with the Supplier on an interim, short-term basis in order to, among other things, facilitate the enabling transition of the existing GovPass service to a new operating model as described above, and secure certain outputs throughout its term; both of which will, together with a number of other matters, help inform the Authority's statement of requirements and, of critical importance, enable the Authority to support its strategic intent for GovPass under the Future Contract. The New Contract will commence on 1 October 2024 and have an initial term of twelve (12) months (expiring on 30 September 2025), with a right for the Authority to extend at its sole discretion for an additional three (3) months. The New Contract will have a right for the Authority to terminate at the Authority's sole discretion on two (2) months prior notice. Accordingly, entering into the New Contract will enable the Authority to run a further competition (as described above) for and enter into the Future Contract in or around June 2025, whilst preserving continuity of service which is indispensable. Lot 1: The Authority intends to make a direct award of an interim, short-term contract to Cipher10 Limited in order to secure the continued provision of services and enable the award of a longer-term contract in or around June 2025. Cipher10 Limited is party to an existing contract with HMG dated 1 April 2023 pursuant to which it is responsible for maintaining and improving upon all aspects of GovPass ("Current Contract"). The Current Contract expires on 30 September 2024 and cannot be extended. Continuity of service is, however, indispensable until a future contract can be awarded.