European Commission asked to investigate Becta's Learning Platform Procurement
Printer friendly
In his letter to the Commission, Managing Director Crispin Weston says that a significant number of the successful tenders fail to satisfy criteria which were described under the contract notice as mandatory. The main purpose of European regulations for public procurement is to ensure that selection criteria, announced at the beginning of a competition, are applied objectively.
Weston commented, 'Becta did not enforce its own mandatory requirements when it realised that no-one would meet them. While smaller companies and open source products have been excluded from this competition, larger companies have been awarded contracts even though they do not meet necessary standards for interoperability."
'Becta has for many years failed to implement technical standards for interoperability for learning software in schools. The result has been an uncompetitive market with a poor record for innovation. The lack of support for these standards is also making it difficult for the BBC to meet the conditions under which it is required to operate the Digital Curriculum'.
Weston's letter to the Commission is published at www.alphalearning.co.uk/ojeu.htm along with a range of supporting documentation.
Alpha Learning did not compete in the Learning Platform competition because it was too small to meet the financial criteria for qualification.
Weston is an expert on standards for interoperability who has sat on the DfES' Technical Standards Working Group, Learning Platforms Stakeholders Group and Becta's Learning Services Technical Sub Group. He was a contributor to Becta's best practices guide to supporting open standards, published in January 2005.
One hundred MPs have signed John Pugh's Early Day Motion of 21st November, expressing concern at the distorting effect on the market of Becta's ‘outdated purchasing frameworks'.
Related links to this article:
Alpha Learning
Becta
Attend the e-Government National Conference: Learn what Local Authorities plan to do with Shared Services in 07-08
Results of the Local Authority National Survey are being unveiled at the e-Government National Conference on 17th January at the Savoy Hotel in London. This, the largest 2006 survey of UK Local Authority CEOs, heads of service and Councillors detailed their plans for investment in shared services to deliver the vision in the Local Government White Paper. Tickets are just £160 (includes Savoy lunch). Book at this link.
On the evening of 17th January, winners from among 89 finalists in 11 categories will be announced in the e-Government National Awards 2006. The Awards recognise and praise the best strategies, achievements, teams and individuals in UK e-Government.
Platinum sponsor is KPMG, and also a sponsor are SunGard and O2.
The Awards are supported by the Cabinet Office e-Government Unit, the Office of Government Commerce, the Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm), and SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers).
- Login or Register to comment
- Add to a social bookmarking site
Editor's Manifesto: Tales of the entirely expected
"Several weeks into the new era of Coaltiion Government and certain key themes are emerging. First up, it's clear that the battle of the 'who can get their memoirs out the door quick enough to steal a march in the revisionist history stakes' has been triumphantly won by M'Lord Mandelson (Weren't those TV ads scary – the velvet smoking jacket, the leather fireside chair, all that Brillcream! The only thing missing was the theme tune to Tales of the Unexpected and the accompanying prancing sillouette of Harriet Harman or Diane Abbott dancing!)” Read more
The Dispatch Box: Data quality and the public sector
Colin Rickard, managing director EMEA at SAS subsidiary Dataflux, argues public sector data must be of high quality if the efficiencies promised with ICT and infrastructure is to be realised.
"Tackling the public sector’s data integration and data quality challenges is a tough prospect. The challenge may require more effort than a comparative project in a large private company. Data must be governed according to a strategy that necessitates bringing interested parties together.” Read more
Innovation: A step too far in the austerity age?
Complete and enter our draw to win a free seat at the e-Government Awards. The public sector is already perceived to be lacking in innovation, but is that a fair assessment, and what role could it play in helping the government meet efficiency targets? What do people working on the frontline of ICT in public sector organisations think? Take part and share your views
James Gardner, CTO at the Department for Work and Pensions discusses his thoughts on innovation in the public and commercial sectors.
Source: K2 Advisory