Due to the 12-week timescale for implementing the Scheme, the Department had limited time to procure a Scheme Administrator who would develop a digital voucher application system and process applications. The Department received three bids, but none of the bidders thought it was possible to fully implement a digital system in time for the launch. As a result, the Department allowed bidders to steadily deliver elements of the system in stages. Whereas other bidders thought fully implementing a...

Due to the 12-week timescale for implementing the Scheme, the Department had limited time to procure a Scheme Administrator who would develop a digital voucher application system and process applications. The Department received three bids, but none of the bidders thought it was possible to fully implement a digital system in time for the launch. As a result, the Department allowed bidders to steadily deliver elements of the system in stages. Whereas other bidders thought fully implementing a system would take at least 15 weeks, ICF Consulting Services Ltd (ICF) thought it could do it in six and a half weeks and at lower cost.73 Type: conclusion | Number: 26 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 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