IT Procurement and Asset Management Policy
IT Procurement and Asset Management Policy
IT Procurement and Asset Management Policy
Version 6
1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................5
2. PURPOSE.......................................................................................................5
3. SCOPE............................................................................................................ 6
4. DEFINITIONS..................................................................................................6
5. POLICY STATEMENTS...................................................................................7
7. PROCESSES.................................................................................................10
8. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS........................................................................14
1. Failure to engage with NHS South of England Procurement Services and the IT
Department within adequate timescales may result in delays, and possible
cessation, of procurements of IT Assets and Systems. Further, it could result in
purchased items not being fit for purpose or incompatible with the Trust’s wider IT
systems and network operation.
2. This policy is applicable to the day to day management of IT Assets and Systems
by each Trust Department and applies to all IT Assets and Systems purchased by
or on behalf of the Trust, including Computer Systems, individual pieces of
computerised equipment, software and any equipment that is to be connected to or
used with IT infrastructure (e.g. peripheral equipment, digital cameras, medical
equipment that electronically stores files/data on the Trust’s central file storage IT
Systems, and equipment that will transmit data across the Trust’s network.).
3. It is the policy of the Trust that all procurement of IT Assets and Systems (clinical
and non-clinical IT Systems) is led by NHS South of England Procurement Services
and undertaken and implemented by the IT Department in conjunction with the
Department or Client Lead.
4. All procurement will be subject to adequate controls, process and procedures being
applied, based upon its estimated value. In all instances the Trust’s Standing
Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policies and NHS South of
England Procurement Services requirements and codes of conduct apply when
procuring IT Assets and Systems and a business case needs to be approved when
required as per the Trust’s Business Case Policy. Special attention needs to be
given to NHS South of England Procurement Services Procurement Manual which
contains guidance regarding the exercise of procurement processes.
5. Single Tender Waivers are not a procurement process and their use shall be limited
to those circumstances specified within the Trust’s Standing Orders, Standing
Financial Instructions following prior discussion with and agreement from NHS
South of England Procurement Services.
6. Whole Life Costs must be considered including any extensions. Contracts for IT
Systems will have a determined duration; before contracts expire the Trust needs to
consider the market and the current Trust needs.
7. All IT Systems purchased shall be assigned Information Asset Owners (IAO) and
registered in the Trust’s information asset registers.
8. IT Assets and Systems shall only be used within their contracted and procured
limits.
Requestor highlights
need to purchase Contact Contact
(new, upgrade, etc.) IT procurement
1. Technical compatibility
2. Benefit realisation
Yes 3. Resourcing priority Criteria Proceed?
Additional items Obtain costs for
required? items necessary 4. Whole Life Cost Funding
5. Information Governance
No
viable
IT Department
Not viable Business Case
advises requestor of
initial & on-going
costs
No
Develop specification
(as per SoEPS Develop evaluation
template)
No further action
Procurement Process=
Tender
Award
IT Responsibilities
CSC Responsibilities
Sign contract and raise
CSC/ IT Responsibilities - assisted by procurement requisition
Procurement Responsibilities
2. PURPOSE
This policy intends to create awareness of obligations related to the procurement
and management of IT Assets and Systems, and specifically aims to ensure that IT
Assets and Systems purchased for use by the Trust align with the Trust’s strategic
plans and route maps; comply with standards set through the Trust’s IT policies and
guidelines and; are compatible, supported and maintainable in line with the contract
agreed.
This policy is designed to:
establish the process to procure and manage IT Systems and Assets;
protect the Trust from risks associated with poor and inappropriate
procurement and management of IT Assets and Systems;
lay out the requirements to ensure Systems are used within their defined and
contracted limits;
3. SCOPE
3.1 This policy applies to all IT Assets and Systems purchased by or on behalf of the
Trust. Including:
Computer Systems.
Individual pieces of computerised equipment.
Software.
Equipment that is to be connected to or used with IT infrastructure such as
peripheral equipment, digital cameras, medical equipment that electronically
stores files/data on the Trust’s central file storage IT Systems, and equipment
that will transmit data across the Trust’s network.
3.2 This policy applies to IT Assets and Systems purchased via any funding source.
For the benefit of doubt this includes but is not limited to:
Revenue budgets
Capital expenditure
Charitable and external funds
Successful bids for external funding
3.3 This policy applies to all persons (including employees, voluntary and bank workers,
contractors, agency and sub-contract staff, locums, partner organisations, suppliers
and customers) who intend to procure or request the procurement of IT Assets and
Systems for use by or on behalf the Trust.
3.4 In the event of outbreak of an infection, flu pandemic or major incident. The Trust
recognises that it may not be possible to adhere to all aspects of this document and
in such circumstances, staff should take advice from their manager and all possible
action must be taken to maintain ongoing patient and staff safety.
4. DEFINITIONS
4.1 The term ‘IT System’ is used to cover the combination of application and operating
system software, databases, servers and other infrastructure and devices used to
access and use applications. Systems are usually intended for use by many
people.
4.2 The term ‘IT Asset’ is used to cover all items of computer hardware and software
used by or on behalf of the Trust and equipment that connects to it. This includes
devices (e.g. computers, lap tops, tablets and smart devices), peripheral equipment
(e.g. printers, cameras, scanners) and software for use on, or with, computer
equipment.
5. POLICY STATEMENTS
5.1 All IT Assets and Systems purchased by the Trust are the property of the Trust and:
o shall be deployed and utilised as deemed most effective to the Trust’s needs,
and objectively demonstrate best value for money is obtained;
o follow best procurement practice as per the Trust Policies and applicable
legislation
5.2 Procurement of IT Assets and Systems shall be subject to necessary controls that
ensure:
o The strategic fit, alignment and prioritisation of items being purchased
o Technical, operational and maintenance compatibility with appropriate
existing IT Systems and infrastructure
o Benefits of purchase are identified and realised
o Compliance with legislation and the Trust’s own governance and control
requirements (e.g. Information Governance) are met
5.3 In all instances the Trust’s Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, Business Case
and Procurement Policies and NHS South of England Procurement Services
requirements and codes of conduct apply when procuring IT Assets and Systems.
5.4 All procurement will be subject to adequate process and procedure being applied,
based upon its estimated Whole Life Costs, as defined in the Trust’s Standing
Financial Instructions and guided by NHS South of England Procurement Services.
5.5 Procurements of IT Assets and Systems must be undertaken and implemented by
the IT Department, who are responsible for engaging with NHS South of England
Procurement Services. Requesters intending to procure IT Assets or Systems for
7. PROCESSES
7.1 Planning & Control
7.1.1 For provisions to be included in consolidated IT financial and resource planning,
requirements for IT Assets and Systems must be identified through one of the
following channels:
8. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
8.1 Members of staff are individually responsible for ensuring that they comply with
Trust policies and procedures.
8.2 Specific questions relating to IT procurement can be addressed to the IT
Department Service Desk.
8.3 General questions relating to procurement can be addressed to NHS South of
England Procurement Services, which also provides Bite Size procurement training.
8.4 Information Asset Owners are required to complete the mandatory Information
Governance / Risk Assessment training.
10.4 Our Values were developed after listening to our staff. They bring the Trust closer
to its vision to be the best hospital, providing the best care by the best people and
ensure that our patients are at the centre of all we do.
10.5 We are committed to promoting a culture founded on these values which form the
‘heart’ of our Trust:
10.6 This policy should be read and implemented with the Trust Values in mind at all
times
IT Procurement and Asset Management Policy
Version: 6
Issue date: 15 November 2018
Review date: 14 November 2020 (unless requirements change) Page 14 of 17
11. MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH PROCEDURAL DOCUMENTS
11.1 This document will be monitored to ensure it is effective and to assure
compliance.
Minimum
Frequency Lead(s) for acting
requirement Reporting
Lead Tool of Report of on
to be arrangements
Compliance Recommendations
monitored
Summary of
Head of contractual vs Audit Head of
Monthly
Procurement non contractual Committee Procurement
spent
Summary report
Follow of known IT
Head of IT
Compliance to Assets not Audit Head of IT Service
Service Annually
the purchased by Committee Delivery
Delivery
requirements the IT
of this policy Department
Summary report
of IT Systems Head of IT
Head of IT Audit
not purchased Annually Programme
Programmes Committee
via the IT Management
Department
Stage 1 - Screening
Disability No
Gender reassignment No
Race No
Sex No
Religion or Belief No
Sexual Orientation No
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Monitoring of Actions
The monitoring of actions to mitigate any impact will be undertaken at the appropriate level
All actions will be further monitored as part of reporting schedule to the Equality and Diversity
Committee