Andrea Marston and David Light from Defra discuss their procurement approach and outcomes when buying through CloudStore.

1. Defra Network Open Working
Andrea Marston – Programme Manager, Defra
Information Services
David Light – Commercial Assurance Manager, Defra
Information Services

2. Defra Network Open Working
Our Vision
The Defra NOW Programme is about connecting our
people with each other, the wider world and the
information they need.
It will help the Defra Network:
• Connect with others by making it easier to identify and
work with anyone they might need to.
• Connect with information by making easier to find and
share it.
• Fix current issues with the management of our
information and corporate records.

3. Defra Network Open Working
• New incremental approach based on Agile principles
– Aligned to Cabinet Office thinking and Government ICT strategy
• Portfolio of business-led initiatives
– Clear scope and duration
– Work with the willing on real problems
– Based on a set of maturity states
– Rigour proportionate to maturity
• Reduced risk
– Incorporate learning as we go
– Business de-risks through incremental growth
– Work out loud to share learning
– Incremental benefit earlier
– Cheaper and better value

4. Procurement
• Services bought
– Package Assessment (not G-Cloud)
– Change Management Services
– WordPress as a Service
– Alfresco as a Service
– Technical Architecture Support Services
• Future Services
– Innovation Service
– Platform as a Service

5. Procurement
• Procurement Approach
– Search for potential suppliers
– De-select those suppliers with blank entries or clearly not offering the
services
– Review service descriptions
– Select those suppliers fully capable of meeting the requirements
– Clarify service offering and pricing
– Follow-up feedback
– Appoint lowest priced, fully capable supplier

6. Procurement
• Points to Note
– Search criteria
– Error 404 messages, incomplete information or links to websites
– General procurement principles still apply
– Audit trail
– Terms and conditions
– Pricing

7. Procurement
• Defra’s experience of Cloud – good or bad?
– Internal issues
• tension between VfM and lowest price
• Importance of audit trail
– Teething issues with Cloudstore
– Reduced Timescales
– Effort required
– Cost Transparency
– Flexibility of Saas over on-premise