SC1B/DDSFTW114 - British Computer Society Memberships

A shortage of SQEP (Suitably Qualified Experienced Personnel) still exists in GDD (Government, Digital, Data) & Cybersecurity, so the department continues to promote professional development as a beneficial, rewarding and necessary intervention. The SDR (Strategic Defence Review) has reinforced this need to professionalise the digital workforce. OM (Organisational Membership) with the BCS (British Computer Society) provides a route to professionalisation with the leading professional body for IT (Information Technology) professionals. There is no alternative supplier.

The requirement supports the HDIP (Head of Digital and Information Profession) continuing responsibility for developing Information Capability across Defence, including the alignment to government capability frameworks and industry recognised skill standards.

As a result, the HDIP would like to extend the MOD (Ministry of Defence) OM with BCS for a further 12 (twelve) months. The current contract term expires on the 31st July 2025 and if this is not extended the department will have to revert to an individual memberships model which is significantly more expensive.

There is therefore a need to extend the current OM capability for a further 12 (twelve) months at a membership level of 2,000 (two thousand). Under the contract, 1,690 (one thousand six hundred and ninety) memberships will be for DD (Defence Digital) consumption whilst the other 310 (three hundred and ten) memberships will be for DE&S (Defence, Equipment and Support) consumption.