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26/07/05

Suppliers still uncertain of impact of Freedom of Information Act
Guidance document launched to provide practical steps to suppliers to the public sector

Intellect, has today warned that a large percentage of ICT suppliers to the public sector remain uncertain about the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act). The trade association for the UK hi-tech industry believes that to remain competitive suppliers must understand the potential impact of the Act on the way they interact with public sector customers in the future.

To help educate suppliers Intellect has today launched 'Freedom of Information Act – Guidance for Suppliers', a document which provides an easy to understand overview of the Act and its implications. This is further supported by a series of practical steps which suppliers can take when working with public authorities, these include:

• Develop internal processes and policies to restrict and monitor release of information to public authorities and, where appropriate communicate these to your customer
• Ensure that all staff are trained on the FOI Act in order to raise awareness and ensure consistency and a common approach
• When recording information in any form, be aware that if it is placed in the hands of a local authority it may be subject to an information request and subject disclosure
• Read invitation to Tender and contracts carefully. Always review contractual wording in relation to the FOI Act and do not assume that it is standard and not open to negotiation
• When you are acting as a sub-contractor, ensure that you identify your sensitive information to the prime contractor and obtain appropriate obligations of confidence from him/her

Commenting on the launch of the document, Nick Kalisperas, Director of Public Sector at Intellect said;
"There remains a great deal of uncertainty among suppliers about the Act. The fact is that the Act will impact all suppliers to the public sector, and those businesses which are uninformed will be unable to put in place the appropriate commercial safeguards to protect themselves. However, what we have also learnt in the development of this document is that the FOI Act is there to be used. Our advice to suppliers is simple; get to know FOI and don't be afraid to ask! For it is only those firms who fail to understand the Act, and it's implications who will fail to respond accordingly."

Notes for Editors
Freedom of Information Act – Guidance for Suppliers was developed by Intellect, with the support of the following members; AMTEC Consulting, BAE Systems, Bird & Bird, BT, Deloitte, IBM, Kable, Nabarro Nathanson and Pinsent Masons. The Office of Government Commerce supports the developed of this document.

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