The OFT has launched a call for information into the supply of information and communication technology (ICT) goods and services to the Government. According to the OFT, the top 20 software and IT
The OFT has launched a call for information into the supply of information and communication technology (ICT) goods and services to the Government. According to the OFT, the top 20 software and IT service providers currently earn about £10.4 billion a year from UK public sector bodies, and the OFT is keen to ensure that there is fair, open and transparent competition in this sector.
The OFT hopes that this information gathering exercise will allow it to find out more about how competition in this sector currently works and is asking that suppliers and users get it touch with their experiences.
The OFT has specifically asked for information about:
Whilst this is not the first review into the procurement of ICT by the public sector, there has been little examination to date about whether aspects of the supply side restrict competition. The OFT's current review seeks to address this.
More information about the specific issues being considered by the OFT can be found on the OFT's Call for information page. Anyone who wishes to contact the OFT can email ict.consultation@oft.gsi.gov.uk or write to the address below by 18 August 2013.
ICT Call for Information
8th Floor
Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX
The OFT hopes that this information gathering exercise will allow it to find out more about how competition in this sector currently works and is asking that suppliers and users get it touch with their experiences.
The OFT has specifically asked for information about:
- The structure of the sector, for example the number of suppliers and their market share.
- Whether there are barriers to entry which make it difficult for smaller businesses to compete in this sector.
- Whether public sector users face high barriers to switching suppliers, such as costs of transferring and restrictive licence agreements.
- Whether some suppliers seek to limit the interoperability and use of competitor systems with their own.
- Whether outsourcing of ICT service provision results in a high level of dependence on suppliers' expertise, undermining the ability of public bodies to drive value for money over time.
Whilst this is not the first review into the procurement of ICT by the public sector, there has been little examination to date about whether aspects of the supply side restrict competition. The OFT's current review seeks to address this.
More information about the specific issues being considered by the OFT can be found on the OFT's Call for information page. Anyone who wishes to contact the OFT can email ict.consultation@oft.gsi.gov.uk or write to the address below by 18 August 2013.
ICT Call for Information
8th Floor
Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX