Thursday 18 April 2019
A 2 year procurement process has reached a key milestone with Agilisys Limited, a leading UK-based technology and transformation company, being appointed as the Preferred Bidder for the digital transformation and future delivery of the States' IT services.
As the proposed strategic partner for the States' Future Digital Services Programme, Agilisys will help to deliver a dramatic improvement in technology, giving the community better and easier access to public services while enabling efficiencies and long-term cost-savings. Furthermore, the partnership will see a significant investment in Guernsey's digital economy.
The decision to enter into this partnership ultimately rests with the States of Deliberation. As such, the Policy & Resources Committee will publish a policy letter in May 2019 to enable a debate on the matter in June 2019.
The decision to appoint Agilisys was taken following a full evaluation process that included detailed scoring, two cycles of moderation and formal evaluation by the Chief Executive's Senior Leadership Team and the FDS Project Board. Agilisys Limited intends to set up Agilisys Guernsey Limited to manage the relationship with the States of Guernsey and with its partners.
Deputy Gavin St Pier, Policy & Resources Committee said:
'We are delighted to see Agilisys appointed as Preferred Bidder after an incredibly thorough tender process. They put together a superb case which was competitive financially. This will be a partnership that will deliver huge benefits not just for the States, but the whole community'
Paul Whitfield, Chief Executive, States of Guernsey said:
'Digital transformation is essential if the States is to deliver its strategic goals. At present, the States does not have the capacity or capability to deliver the level of transformation planned or the ability to rapidly access the necessary expertise.
Agilisys' experience will be critical in facilitating the States' wider transformation ambitions by providing technology solutions and improving States access to resource and expertise. This includes support for the Public Service Reform framework where a savings target of £26m for the States of Guernsey is set to be achieved by 2021.'
As well as enabling the wider Public Service Reform savings, this will avoid significant additional costs anticipated in continuing to provide 'in-house' IT services for the States. Full details of the financial aspects of the programme will be released when the Policy Letter is formally lodged on 2nd May 2019.
The procurement process generated two excellent short-listed bids, both of which could have formed the basis of a strong and fruitful relationship for the States. Of the two however, Agilisys offered best value, while still providing a solution of equivalent quality. In addition, Agilisys will provide support to enable the development of the local digital sector.
Colin Vaudin, Chief Information Officer explained the reason for the strategic partnership:
'As well as providing modern technological opportunities, the proposed model will ensure we aren't faced with a significant increase in operating costs over the coming decade. Enhancements to day-to-day IT provision will also significantly increase the quality of service provided to internal users and the public and will generate further efficiencies across the organisation.'
As well as providing solutions for the future delivery of IT services, an exciting element of this new partnership is significant investment in the local digital sector. Agilisys, working alongside States staff, has identified multiple initiatives through which it will deliver this commitment. Examples of these are:
- The establishment of MedTech (Medical Technology) and FinTech (Financial Technology) innovation hubs in the Island in order to stimulate and nurture local business development.
- Launching the Guernsey Venture Catalyst Challenge to stimulate interest in business building and relocation on island
- Venture building services to further support Scale Up activity working closely with the Department of Economic Development & the Digital Greenhouse.
- Development of digital Skills and digital understanding for all islanders
- A full Digital apprenticeship pilot in partnership with Arch Apprentices
- Deployment of a digital learning and knowledge sharing platform
- Island promotion including the provision of a States of Guernsey Economic Development office within the Scale Space innovation hub on the new Imperial College London, White City campus.
- A Guernsey-based 'cloud' for system hosting and data storage, which could be made available to businesses, building on Guernsey's unique selling point of being a safe and secure place to store data.
The full programme of initiatives will support the delivery of the Economic Development Strategy approved by the States in July 2018.
Richard Hanrahan, Chief Executive designee, Agilisys Guernsey Limited added:
"We are delighted to be appointed as the States of Guernsey's preferred partner to revitalise their IT services and to deliver improved outcomes for Islanders. As a proven strategic transformation, digital and technology partner to the public sector, our focus is placed firmly upon delivery of services that deliver tangible outcomes and benefits, for our customers and the communities we serve."
Subject to the approval of the Policy Letter, an Ordinance will be required to transfer affected staff under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Law, 2001 (TUPE). This will enable staff to be transferred into the partnership in a manner which maintains their existing terms and conditions, including access to the States' pension scheme. This ensures that the valuable skills that have been developed whilst working for the States of Guernsey will not be lost.
Overall, the proposed strategic partnership represents a clear solution for improved digital services; services which are capable of meeting the needs of a modern organisation and delivering value and improved services. The engagement with Agilisyswill allow the States to make the most of the available technology opportunities and realise the full benefits available from its strategic ambitions.
