The Provision and Maintenance of a Financial Management System

Thanet District Council (TDC) is seeking to procure the implementation and ongoing support of a Financial Management System. TDC’s current system has been in place for 20 years and although workable and fully supported by the current supplier, there are enhancements to be made to comply and fit with new ways of working TDC has the desire to move systems to the cloud which meets our digital principles and wider organisational strategies. The use of Google Workspace is also a contributing factor. There is a need for the following high level improvements:

New working practices such as self-serve functionality for both our staff and third party suppliers engaging with our Finance Team

New ways of reporting, using customised dashboards with access to all levels of data in real time. Removing the need to manipulate data outside of the system

Streamline and improve our existing processes and automate more of the functions

Increased efficiencies for the Finance Team and our budget managers

Increased business intelligence with the ability to easily manage and forecast accounts

Improved business continuity, resilience and enabling modern working through a fully cloud and browser based system

This contract opportunity is being carried out under a Restricted procurement procedure, which consists of two stages. Stage 1 is the Standard Selection Questionnaire including weighted questions, where all interested bidders are invited to participate. Submitted questionnaires will be assessed following the closing date and the Council will produce a short-list of applicants comprising the Five highest scoring bidders (where five suitable applicants can be identified). Those short-listed will be advised of the timescales and requirements of the Stage 2 procedure, which will be the Invitation to Tender (ITT) process.

The Contract is anticipated to commence in June 2023, for a duration of 5 years.

Important Information: All procurement documents are attached to the Notice for this two stage Restricted Procedure, and are available for suppliers to download from the Kent Business Portal (www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk).

Please note, only the Standard Selection Questionnaire - Restricted Procedure - Stage 1 Pre Qualification - Financial Management System document will be required to be completed according to instructions contained, at this first stage of the process.

This Stage 1 (Restricted) procurement procedure will be undertaken on the basis of a formal Standard Selection Questionnaire (SSQ). Evaluation will be on the basis of criteria and methodology as set out in the SSQ.

Any clarifications or questions must be submitted via the Message area of the Kent Business Portal by no later than 14.00hrs on 23 December 2022.

Completed Standard Selection Questionnaire documents must be submitted electronically via the Kent Business Portal by no later than 14.00hrs on 12 January 2023.