IT suppliers body Intellect has called for changes to
Office of Government Commerce model contracts for IT programmes,
arguing for a shift away from a one-size-fits-all
approach.
The trade association made the call as it launched best practice
guidance for IT suppliers negotiating public sector contracts.
Central government spends £2.3bn a year on IT – equivalent to
16% of its total procurement expenditure – and IT is a major focus
for the OGC, which was set up in 2000 to promote value-for-money
purchasing.
Intellect director Nick Kalisperas said, “Intellect believes
changes should be made to the OGC’s current version of the model
contracts for major IT projects and programmes in order to create a
framework that is in the best interest of both customers and
suppliers.
“There is particular concern among suppliers that a uniform
model or ‘one-fits-all’ approach, which is accompanied by a
tendency to add further restrictions and conditions to model
contracts, can tip the balance of risk allocation
inappropriately.”
This could introduce unnecessary costs and inhibit flexibility
in solution, provision and innovation, Kalisperas added.
Intellect’s guidance document, Contracting Best Practice –
Guidance for Suppliers, covers a series of key objectives,
including successful delivery, value for money, compensation when
the supplier does not perform as agreed, and equitable balance of
risk.