1) Is your current IT Service Management function and associated software application based in house or Outsourced to a 3rd Party?
A) In house
2) Please provide the full name and version of the ITSM software application in use?
A) Sunrise Sostenuto. We are unable to provide the version of the software and rely on exemption Section 31(1)(a) of the Act. This exemption is engaged as releasing this information could facilitate the possibility of a cyber-attack on IT systems. Section 31 is a qualified exemption which means the Trust must undertake a public interest test which is set out below.
We acknowledge the public interest in openness and transparency and recognise that releasing this information would provide the public with transparency and accountability in the technology that is used at the Trust. However, disclosure of the information requested has the potential to make the Trust more vulnerable to cyber-crime as it has the potential to disclose any vulnerabilities that may be present within the software and could be used as a starting point to attack network infrastructure and/or information systems.
There is an overwhelming public interest in keeping the NHS computer systems secure which would be served by non-disclosure. This would outweigh any benefits of release. It has therefore been decided that the balance of the public interest lies clearly in favour of withholding the material on this occasion.
As a result of this duty, and the risk of potential prejudice to it posed by the various reasons laid out above, we believe the interest in withholding this information outweighs that for disclosure. We therefore find that the section 31(1) exemption is appropriately engaged.
3) What is the lifetime value of the contract and over how many years?
A)We are unable to provide the value of the contract as this information is commercial in confidence. This information is exempt under section 43 (commercial interests) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of those involved.
Section 43 is a qualified exemption which means the Trust must undertake a public interest test. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has considered the public interest in disclosing this information and while it is in the public interest to disclose information that informs the public of how we spend our money, especially where this relates to the provision of public services, we have determined that the prejudice arising from disclosure outweighs the benefit to the public in this instance. Disclosure of the spend value could result in a competitive disadvantage to the supplier and could damage the supplier’s and the Trust’s commercial interests.
4) As part of the existing contract how many support operatives (agents) are licenced/subscribed to use the solution? (These are individuals who work on the desk in resolver groups, not customers using a Self-Service function).
A) 43
5) When is the contract due for renewal?
A) License Renewal December 2020
6) How was the current solution procured – directly with the Vendor, through a Framework or via G Cloud?
A) Direct
7) What are your published procurement thresholds for tendering purposes?
A) £15000 to £35000 – Three written quotations.
Over £35000 – Competitive tenders.
If the spend meets OJEU threshold then goods/services are advertised in Official Journal of European Union.
Current OJEU thresholds are available from: https://www.ojec.com/thresholds.aspx
8) What is the Authority’s strategy with regards to Cloud solutions as opposed to In House installations
A) Cloud first where possible
9) Has the organisation ever procured through the G Cloud Framework?
A) YES
