External Assurance Services/PRO/PIN/2021

Description

This is a prior information notice informing the market of the intention by the Open University to tender for the provision of external independent assurance services on the scope and quality of its Core Systems Replacement Programme Reporting and Associate Lecturer Contract Change Programme's Reporting. An independent review of the financial and operational case for the reset of its Core Systems Replacement (CSR) Programme This Prior Information Notice (PIN) and request for information is intended to gauge the interest of potential suppliers, prior to commencing a procurement process. Lot 1: The Open University (OU) will require the provision of independent assurance on the scope and quality of the Core System Replacement (CSR) reporting and Associate Lecturer Contract Change (ALC) Programme's reporting. The OU also requires an independent review of the financial and operational case for the reset of its Core Systems Replacement (CSR) Programme It is anticipated that the services required will provide assurances to the OU that; a) the CSR business change and technology plans and associated financial plans are technically sound, realistically deliverable in the identified timescales, provide a robust assessment of all the costs necessary to deliver them, and have a sound assessment of the risks; and b) the scope and content of the on-going reporting of progress against the reset CSR operational and financial plans provides a complete, accurate and transparent assessment of delivery, and; c) the scope and content of the on-going reporting of progress against the operational and financial plans relating to the ALC programme provides a complete, accurate and transparent assessment of delivery. Suppliers are requested to respond to this PIN via The Open University's e-tendering website, In-Tend https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity Suppliers should complete and return a Request for Information Response Document by 9th August 2021 The OU is offering one-to-one briefing sessions to suppliers on a first come, first served basis. The purpose of the briefing session is to provide further context to our requirement and for suppliers to ask questions prior to providing the information requested. The briefing sessions will be held w/c 19th July 2021 and further correspondence via the In-Tend function will confirm a time-slot. The sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams. Additional information: This is a Prior Information Notice; this is not a call for competition. Any description of requirements is yet to be fully determined for the supply and services described. Any potential resulting tender will be advertised via the OU's tender portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity and will require further registration. Registration is free and interested parties can register at any time and search for tenders (and PINs) as and when they are advertised.