Schools software provider procurement
Hi,
Could you please supply me the following procurement information in your capacity as a Local Education Authority under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
For each of the categories that follow, could you please answer the questions below as they relate to schools. If individual schools have their own arrangements please make that clear and provide information for each where that is available.
A. Finance systems for schools (financial management systems, FMS)
B. Budgets systems for schools (budget monitoring/planning systems)
C. School management information systems (MIS)
D. Payroll software or provider for schools
E. HR software or service for schools
Questions:
1. Who is the current software or service provider?*
2. What is the existing contract spend separated into annual spend and maintenance costs, if applicable?*
3. What is the contract’s length, when does it end, how long is the procurement notice period and process length, what is the procurement system used?
4. Who is the procurement process decision maker? Please specify their name and role.
5. Do you, as a local authority, mandate (i.e. through an SLA) that your schools use a service package or supplier arranged by yourselves, or are they able to choose?
6. If schools are able to choose a software and services provider, are there any categories in which choice is mandated by you as a local authority while others are left for schools to choose, i.e. a mix and match basis?
7. If applicable, what is the system implementation provider, shared service provider or technical support provider?
8. Is there a system replacement or transformation project being planned, and if so is it to be outsourced?
9. Is there any system integration in between any of the categories mentioned?
Could you also please tell me how many schools your local authority supports, i.e. the number of local authority-maintained schools.
I would like to pre-empt any possible objections against releasing information under points marked with a star (*). In the case of disclosing information about local authority suppliers, including the amount an authority is paying, I refer to the clearly established public interest in disclosing information about transparency in the spending of public money. It is vital that public bodies are getting value for money when entering into contracts. The disclosure of how much an authority is paying for a service, particularly in the competitive market for educational software, promotes competition and makes it possible for a local authority to pay a lower rate for services. No cost needs to be broken down to the extent to which it may harm a supplier's commercial abilities.
Thank you for your help. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email and I will happily clarify any points you raise.
Best,
Jack Roberts
Dear Jack Roberts
Thank you for your request for information, below, which was received by the Council (19/11/2021) and we will answer your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The FOI Act obliges us to respond to requests promptly, and in any case no later than 20 working days (by 17/12/2021) unless it is necessary to consider the public interest, in which case a full response must be provided within such a time as is reasonable in the circumstances and I will write to you again if this occurs.
The Council is fully utilising its facilities in order to complete all freedom information requests and subject access requests within the statutory time scale. However, whilst we are making every effort to fulfil every request, it is acknowledged both by the Council and the ICO that sometimes other pressures will have to take priority during this difficult time and people may experience unavoidable delays to their FOI and SAR response times. We thank you for your patience in this challenging time.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future correspondence.
Yours sincerely
Information Compliance Team
Legal Services
Delivery
Bracknell Forest Council
Tel: 01344 352000
Email: [Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]
Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Dear Jack Roberts
I am writing to confirm that the council has completed the processing of
your request for information.
Please find below a copy of your request, followed by the Council’s
response.
A. Finance systems for schools (financial management systems, FMS)
B. Budgets systems for schools (budget monitoring/planning systems)
C. School management information systems (MIS)
D. Payroll software or provider for schools
E. HR software or service for schools
Questions:
1. Who is the current software or service provider?*
2. What is the existing contract spend separated into annual spend and
maintenance costs, if applicable?*
3. What is the contract’s length, when does it end, how long is the
procurement notice period and process length, what is the procurement
system used?
4. Who is the procurement process decision maker? Please specify their
name and role.
5. Do you, as a local authority, mandate (i.e. through an SLA) that your
schools use a service package or supplier arranged by yourselves, or are
they able to choose?
6. If schools are able to choose a software and services provider, are
there any categories in which choice is mandated by you as a local
authority while others are left for schools to choose, i.e. a mix and
match basis?
7. If applicable, what is the system implementation provider, shared
service provider or technical support provider?
8. Is there a system replacement or transformation project being planned,
and if so is it to be outsourced?
9. Is there any system integration in between any of the categories
mentioned?
Schools have the autonomy and budget to buy their services, software
applications and support for those applications or services from wherever
they wish, carrying out the procurement checks that they are subject to.
Could you also please tell me how many schools your local authority
supports, i.e. the number of local authority-maintained schools. 28
You may also find it helpful to refer to our web page
[1]https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/busi...
which contains other helpful information as well.
If you have any queries about this matter please contact me. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Please note that your request may itself be the subject of a FOI request
and will be disclosed in that event.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to our
handling of your request you can request an internal review.
Requests for an internal review must be made in writing, and within 40
working days from the date the authority issued an initial response to
your request. Public authorities are not obliged to accept internal
reviews after this date.
Requests for internal reviews should be acknowledged and the target date
for responding will be advised usually within 20 working days. In the
event that clarification of an internal review is required from the
applicant the normal 20 working day time period will not begin until it
has been received.
When requesting an internal review, please include your reference number,
the date of your original request and your contact details. Please also
include an explanation of why you are dissatisfied with our response.
Requests for an internal review should be sent to:
[2][Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commission can be
contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water
Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Yours
sincerely
Information Compliance
Team
Legal
Services
Delivery
Bracknell Forest
Council
Tel: 01344
352000
Email: [3][Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]
Web: [4]www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
References
Visible links
1. https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/busi...
2. mailto:[Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]
3. mailto:[Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]
4. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/
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