Scope
Description
A shortage of SQEP (Suitably Qualified Experienced Personnel) still exists in GDD (Government, Digital, Data) & Cybersecurity, so the department continues to promote professional development as a beneficial, rewarding and necessary intervention. The SDR (Strategic Defence Review) has reinforced this need to professionalise the digital workforce. OM (Organisational Membership) with the BCS (British Computer Society) provides a route to professionalisation with the leading professional body for IT (Information Technology) professionals. There is no alternative supplier.
The requirement supports the HDIP (Head of Digital and Information Profession) continuing responsibility for developing Information Capability across Defence, including the alignment to government capability frameworks and industry recognised skill standards.
As a result, the HDIP would like to extend the MOD (Ministry of Defence) OM with BCS for a further 12 (twelve) months. The current contract term expires on the 31st July 2025 and if this is not extended the department will have to revert to an individual memberships model which is significantly more expensive.
There is therefore a need to extend the current OM capability for a further 12 (twelve) months at a membership level of 2,000 (two thousand). Under the contract, 1,690 (one thousand six hundred and ninety) memberships will be for DD (Defence Digital) consumption whilst the other 310 (three hundred and ten) memberships will be for DE&S (Defence, Equipment and Support) consumption.
Contract 2
Supplier
Contract value
- £232,440 excluding VAT
- £278,928 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
31 July 2025
Contract dates
- 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
- 1 year
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 98100000 - Membership organisation services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Justification for not setting key performance indicators
Contract value is below £5m (inc VAT) in accordance with the PA 2023.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - technical reasons
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
BCS are the globally recognised British Computer Society and are the only chartered institute for IT (Information Technology) who hold a Royal Charter. There are no other professional bodies who offer the same membership support and recognised qualifications. Therefore, there are no other professional bodies that the MOD (Ministry of Defence) can approach for this service as BCS are the exclusive supplier of these specific services.
This contract renewal is to continue the service for MOD Digital professionals as part of their career pathway development with the purchase of 2,000 (two thousand) operational memberships in total. In line with wider Defence objections, the MOD are committed to supporting the 1 in 10 (one in ten) professionals being in a digital role and working with BCS to provide networking, specialist interest groups, recognised industry standard, CDP (Continuous Professional Development) and maintaining currency in qualifications. Under the contract, 1,690 (one thousand six hundred and ninety) memberships will be for DD (Defence Digital) consumption whilst the other 310 (three hundred and ten) memberships will be for DE&S (Defence, Equipment and Support) consumption.
Absence of competition for technical reasons applies here as there is no reasonable alternative. This also represents an additional repeat purchase of the same services currently supplied by BCS under the extant contract.
Supplier
The British Computer Society
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): 292786
First Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon,
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA
United Kingdom
Email: customerservice@bcs.uk
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
MOD Corsham, Spur B2, Westwells Road, Corsham,
Wiltshire
SN13 9NR
United Kingdom
Email: example.example@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKK15 - Wiltshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - central government