AV Data Workstream - Technical Advisory Support

• DfT requires specialist expertise from industry, organisations and individuals that covers a range of specialist technical delivery requirements including, but not limited to, experience of working with GDS, DfT Digital, and DfT’s agencies to achieve accreditation of digital systems (including submission of Secure By Design documentation), a detailed understanding of the requirements of the AV Act 2024, and experience of managing third party delivery partners to pass the GDS and relevant spend control assessments. This paper seeks to establish the reasons for a Single Tender Action (STA) to acquire services from NSEE-UK Ltd.
• As per the Procurement Act 2023, the reason for requesting this STA comes under 6(a): where competition is absent for technical reasons. This is due to the niche specialist skillset, experience, and expertise required from government, industry, and the wider marketplace. There is only a limited number of active industry players who can offer advisory services to DfT due to the nature of the AV Data Workstream, which is in a highly technical but relatively immature position (i.e. the discovery phase) with a small policy and delivery team that is continuing to upskill in line with the wider AV Act Implementation Programme.
• By contracting NSEE-UK Ltd on this basis, this will allow the AV Data Workstream to continue as expected with low-risk to delivery and still meet the expectations of ministers and high interest, high influence stakeholders from across the AV Act Implementation Programme.