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Security screening services contract

FOI reference - FOI-168
Date - 5 October 2023

Request

Details in respect to the contract: Security screening services as shown on the GOV.UK website

  1. What are the contractual performance KPIs for this contract?
  2. Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful and not successful at the PQQ and ITT stages.
  3. Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date.
  4. Start date and duration of framework/contract?
  5. Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised?
  6. Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension?
  7. Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed?
  8. Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?

Response

I confirm that we hold the information you have requested, which I have provided in the table below.

  Question Response
1. What are the contractual performance KPIs for this contract? Pre-employment security screening services:
  • Provision of screening services to HMG Baseline
  • Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
  • Provision of standard BPSS 5 Year Screening with legal checks
  • Provision of BPSS 10 Year Screening (Director and Executive Recruitment Only)
  • Provision of social media checks
  • Provision of ad hoc additional screening services
  • Potential provision of user training (pre go-live and ad hoc)
  • Provision of support and maintenance
2. Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful and not successful at the PQQ and ITT stages Successful: Verifile Limited
Unsuccessful: Cataphract
3. Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date. £39,989.55
4. Start and duration of framework/contract? 01/07/2022 to 30/06/2023
5. Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised? As an arm’s length body TPR are required to adhere to Baseline Personnel Security Screening (BPSS) requirements. The application of the BPSS should ensure that organisations are employing people entitled to work in the UK and with the honesty, integrity and values needed for government-related work.

The purpose of conducting rigorous pre-appointment checks is to:
  • Ensure that all new, directly recruited staff are entitled to undertake the employment in question and, where appropriate, meet nationality rules for government service.
  • Guard against the employment of anyone posing as a prospective employee for commercial or personal gain.
  • Provide a sound basis for any subsequent National Security Vetting (NSV) requirement (not a normal requirement for TPR).
At TPR we are only required to comply with BPSS, however for some roles for example, Legal or Executive, we may also seek enhanced checks for longer periods of time or to confirm education and qualifications, if a specific requirement for a role.

Due to volume that TPR recruit and onboard (150 external recruits this financial year so far), we would not have the level of resource to administer these checks ourselves internally, it would also not provide us with adequate external assurance from a third party that the checks are sound. We also do not have the internal systems to support this type of administration.

As our current contract is ending, we now require a new provider to administer our background screening on our behalf.

More details around the full BPSS requirements can be found on the GOV.UK website
6. Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension? Contract under Crown Commercial Services (CCS) framework G- Cloud 12 allows for 3 x 12-month extensions.
7. Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed? No extension (contract is expired).
8. Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract? People Strategy and Planning Team
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