In this Notice the Wales Audit Office is used to refer to the Auditor General for Wales, as the ‘Authority' looking for a provider to be appointed for the supply, configuration and delivery of audit management software with support.

The Wales Audit Office is the public service audit agency for Wales. The Auditor General is the statutory external auditor of the Welsh Government, its sponsored and related public bodies and the National Health Service (NHS) in Wales. The Auditor General may also inspect and report on further and higher education institutions and other services.

The Authority wishes to establish a four year contract for the supply, configuration and delivery of an audit management solution with support. This procurement is for a services contract being procured under the open procedure.

Following evaluation of the compliant Tenders and approval of the outcome the Authority intends to appoint a single Provider to enter into a contract. The Provider submitting the most economically advantageous offer in accordance with the criteria set out in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be awarded a contract.

The primary objective of this procurement is to source and implement an audit management software system which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and assist the Authority to meet its strategic objectives. A secondary desirable (but not mandatory) objective is for the same system to provide enterprise resource functionality and which will include integrated modules covering organisational planning — financial planning, resource planning; resource management — managing income generation associated with audit activity, staff resource allocation, staff time-recording, and expenses recording.

The Authority is inviting tenders for an audit management system with enterprise resource functionality.

Key aspects of the project covered within this procurement include:

— system provision; support to design, configure and setup of the audit management software to meet the business needs;

— setup of interfaces;

— support to create routine reports to meet management information requirements;

— training and communication e.g. timely information regarding software issues and developments; and;

— on-going maintenance and support including technical, functional and account management support.

Further information and the full specification of requirements can be obtained in the ITT document.

The service will be provided by a reputable Provider defined as security accredited to industry standards; evidenced as financially stable with a development plan for their product and service; and referenced by end users.

In certain circumstances as a public sector body, the Authority is required by law to exclude organisations from participating in a tender. The Authority also reserves the right to reject or disqualify a Tenderer where:

— the Tenderer fails to comply fully with the requirements of the ITT or is guilty of a serious misrepresentation in supplying any information required in the ITT document and/or;

— the Tenderer is guilty of serious misrepresentation in relation to its Tender and/or the Tender process; and/or;

— there is a change in identity, control, financial standing or other factor impacting on the selection and/or evaluation process affecting the Tenderer.

Further information on reasons for rejection/disqualification are included within the ITT.