Newly merged arm’s-length body looks to implement integrated platform
Government’s recently launched consumer financial advisory body is to implement a £1.5m digital overhaul designed to deliver a “rich, integrated journey” for online users.
Earlier this year, the Money and Pensions Service (MAPS) was formed from the merger of three previously separate entities: Pension Wise; the Pensions Advisory Service; and the Money Advice Service.
The unified organisation, which operates as an arm’s-length body of the Department for Work and Pensions, has issued a contract notice seeking a commercial partner to help “implement, manage, support and develop a new digital experience and communication platform”.
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“MAPS currently maintains three websites from its legacy organisations – each with distinct IT infrastructure and web technologies, relying heavily on expensive development skills to maintain and develop. We want to reduce operating costs, IT infrastructure complexity and overheads,” it said. “MAPS intends to offer a rich, integrated journey for citizens across its pensions, debt and money guidance services…. To deliver on these duties, MAPS will require a feature-rich and personalisable digital experience platform enabling fast and flexible delivery to market.”
The organisation is seeking to appoint a supplier to an initial two-year contract. The first year will see MAPS spend about £750,000 on development, implementation, licensing and support. Year two of the contract will require the chosen provider to deliver up £300,000 of additional licensing and support.
On top of which, the advisory body has allotted an additional £300,000 per annum to fund other ongoing operational costs.
MAPS expects to evaluate up to five bidders. The winning firm will work alongside internal digital, marketing, and IT staff, as well the organisation’s incumbent provider of outsourced IT infrastructure support.
Bids are open until 7 August, with work due to start by 7 November.
