The DCMS 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme (5GTT) was established in 2017 with the aim to maximise the prospective benefits that 5G could bring to the UK economy through timely deployment and effective utilisation of 5G technology. The programme is encouraging and funding the creation of a series of Testbeds and Trials in a range of market segments. It has been allocated a total of 200 000 000 GBP capital funding.
The requirement is to conduct an initial assessment of the 5GTT Programme which is expected to focus on the process elements and the early impacts of the programme projects to date.
The requirement is to conduct an initial assessment of the 5G Testbeds and Trials (5GTT) Programme which is expected to focus on the process elements and the early impacts of the programme projects to date.
DCMS is undertaking a full evaluation of the 5GTT Programme, and this project is the start of a programme of evaluation work which is intended to include:
— process evaluation (including lessons learnt) of programme delivery, management, monitoring, governance and communication arrangements,
— impact evaluation to assess whether intended outcomes and benefits of the programme have been realised, as well as any unintended outcomes,
— economic evaluation to assess if the programme was good value for public money.
DCMS expects expertise in both telecoms and evaluation will be required to deliver this work.
Beyond the initial requirement, this contract may be used to fulfil subsequent evaluation requirements in the 5GTT Programme and wider Digital Infrastructure Directorate.
Evaluations need to meet the expectations of Government (for example DCMS and HM Treasury) and external bodies (e.g. Parliament, Infrastructure and Projects Authority, National Audit Office) to evaluate and report on the realised benefits and value for money of public spending and projects. It will also inform future government policy, project design and implementation.
An evaluation scoping and baseline study was conducted by independent evaluation experts on behalf of DCMS. The outputs of this are provided in the tender documentation.