Legal Affairs Group: IT Contracting in the Public Sector - The New World Order

- Robert Shooter, Partner, Technology Law Group, Field Fisher Waterhouse
- Andy Lucas, Partner, Public Sector Group, Field Fisher Waterhouse
- Kevin Calder, Partner, Mills & Reeve
- Helen Prandy, Associate, Mills & Reeve

Since the change of government in 2010, UK public sector IT procurement has undergone a transformation, both in terms of purchasing policies and the underpinning public procurement regime. There are further plans to streamline procurement processes, increase SME involvement and reduce procurement costs. What does this mean for IT suppliers and their advisers? In this session, we will look at the latest position on public sector IT procurement, covering topics such as:

- Changing public procurement law practices
- Evaluating discounts vs price
- The transparency requirement
- Short form OGC model terms
- The New World Order

Robert Shooter is a partner in the Technology Law Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse and is a leading expert in ICT public procurements. In his work for the public sector, Rob has been lead lawyer on a large number of deals including:

- the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in relation to Future Firecrest, Project Echo, and a number of ongoing key projects;

- Government Procurement Services (Buying Solutions, as was), in relation to a number of frameworks, most notably the PSN convergence frameworks (MTCF and GCF); and

- the Department for Communities and Local Government in respect of its desktop outsourcing and telco procurement.

Rob also frequently acts for suppliers to the public sector. Rob has a Masters in IT Security.

Andy Lucas is an Field Fisher Waterhouse partner and heads up the Public Sector Group at FFW. He has led some of the biggest and most high profile Government ICT and other procurements in recent years including ID Cards and the replacement for the Police National Database. He is currently acting for the Department for Transport on the £3.1 billion outsourcing of search and rescue services and is at the coal face where implementing new Government policy interfaces with commercial reality and the procurement regulations.

Kevin Calder is a partner at Mills & Reeve specialising in technology, outsourcing and public procurement. Kevin has advised clients including the Financial Services Authority and the Department of Health on major procurements, and is currently advising on a large number of competitive dialogues relating to IT projects. Kevin runs the firm's public procurement website at www.procurementportal.com

Helen Prandy is an associate in the Commercial Disputes team at Mills & Reeve with a specialism in public procurement disputes. Helen acts both for public authorities defending claims and for suppliers seeking to challenge procurement decisions. Helen acted for Colchester Institute in the first case before the English courts on automatic suspension of a public procurement and the grounds on which the court will agree to lift the suspension.

This meeting will be followed by a light lunch which will provide the perfect opportunity for networking with colleagues and peers in the industry.

Please remember that the Intellect Conference Suite is wireless enabled so you can network, catch-up on emails and do your 'last minute' calls from Russell Square House, with full access to printing and refreshments before the meeting.