Public procurement notice: Additional Information
Published: 2019-01-31
Buyer: DfC Northern Ireland Appeals Service
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Competitive procedure with negotiation
CPV classification: 48100000 | 48610000: Database systems | 48780000 | 48810000: Information systems | 48920000
Submission deadline: 2019-02-25
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: The Appeals Service (TAS) require a service provider to deliver, implement, support and continue to develop a replacement ICT solution to its current Northern Ireland appeals Processing System (NIAPS). The system will be the primary means of appeal case management/administration and the primary source of management information within TAS. A critical aspect is the ability to provide reports on performance against targets set by management. The primary objectives of the replacement ICT system are:
— to provide enhancements that will be of benefit to customers and users in the processing of TAS cases,
— improved operational efficiency delivering an improved and consistent quality of service to customers,
— improved productivity and cost reduction by eliminating eliminating duplicate data held outside of NIAPS, and
The Appeals Service (TAS) require a service provider to deliver, implement, support and continue to develop a replacement ICT solution to its current Northern Ireland appeals Processing System (NIAPS). The system will be the primary means of appeal case management / administration and the primary source of management information within TAS. A critical aspect is the ability to provide reports on performance against targets set by management. The primary objectives of the replacement ICT system are:
— to provide enhancements that will be of benefit to customers and users in the processing of TAS cases,
— improved operational efficiency delivering an improved and consistent quality of service to customers,
There are a number of specific drivers for change that have resulted in the need to replace the current NIAPS system as it will soon no longer support all the requirements of TAS, including:
— the introduction of new appeal type Universal Credit (UC), which is not supported by the current system,
— direct lodgement — a change under Welfare Reform which requires the appellant to make the appeal directly to TAS as opposed to the current system where appeals are referred via the decision making body.
— the current version of NIAPS relies on an aging technology stack which has passed its support end of life.
— TAS function will be moved to the Department of Justice in the near future and as such requires a modern case management system that will have a life span of at least 5 years.
From 2012/13 to 2017/18 typical appeal volumes have fluctuated between 10 000 and 23 000. From 2018/19 onwards it is expected that this may level out at approximately 15 000 per year, however this is subject to trends in relation to PIP and UC benefits.
The system must fully integrate with various external components, systems and software including but not limited to:
— an online portal, developed by the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Enterprise Shared Services, which will allow appellants to lodge their appeal online and upload further evidence,