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20.09.22
6 Deputy K.F. Morel of the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and
Culture regarding cyber-security national risk assessment surveys (OQ.233/2020):
Will the Minister explain why the contract to undertake a cybersecurity national risk assessment survey was awarded to an off-Island supplier, and can he confirm how many Island-based suppliers, if any, tendered or expressed an interest in the contract?
Senator L.J. Farnham (The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and
Culture):
The portal for tenders was opened on 16th September 2019 and closed on 7th October 2019. The Government followed the procurement process and put the project out to tender in line with the rigorous guidelines set out in the Government's procurement best practice procedures. All tenders submitted were reviewed in accordance with predetermined contract award criteria and the most economically advantageous tender criteria. A total of 11 tenders were received; 7 from U.K.-based companies and 4 were from local firms. The contract was awarded on a balance of technical ability, value for money and expertise and experience that the successful company brought to the project. Feedback was given to the unsuccessful companies and the successful company was informed on 16th October 2019.
4.6.1 Deputy K.F. Morel :
Does the Minister think it appropriate and was he aware that the survey would involve a U.K. supplier using the project as a direct marketing opportunity to win business and take it away from Island funds?
Senator L.J. Farnham :
I hope the Deputy will know that I have been a champion of supporting local businesses as much as possible and I hope that we can improve the involvement of local companies in contracts that do often involve high level of expertise. Unfortunately those levels of expertise are not always available on-Island and that is why education and skills development are going to be so important in the economic recovery programme. So I do think it is disappointing; I would like to see local firms used for all of our contracts over here but that is just not realistic given the high technical nature of some of them. So, yes, I accept the Deputy 's point and I regret that a local company was not chosen on this occasion, although I have full confidence in the procedure and I believe that the right company was chosen for this project.