Implementation

• What are the likely human resource requirements for implementing and operating our smart card scheme?
• What guidance is available on training and user testing in smart card schemes?
• What general guidance is available on procurement in smart card schemes?
• Is a procurement check list available?
• What guidance is available on S-CAT and G-CAT procurement models?
• Are there draft model procurement contracts available?

What are the likely human resource requirements for implementing and operating our smart card scheme?

Depending on how your Local Authority intends to deploy their Smart card scheme - If the server side deployment is all contained in the same office and handled by existing IT or SA's instead of dedicated scheme operators, this will have an impact on resource requirements. On the client side the level of human resources depends on how many Service Points (for example: Libraries) will be required to process Smart card applications and whether sufficient training will be given to keep the Service Points 'self sustaining', for example: Training new user's using existing staff.

What guidance is available on training and user testing in smart card schemes?

Training and Testing can be carried out using the Starter Pack End-User Guides.

What general guidance is available on procurement in smart card schemes?

An entire section of the National Smart Card Project was devoted to providing advice and assistance on procurement.

WP4-01 - "Procurement Good Practice Checklist" says: The objective of this National Smart Card Project paper is to provide robust procurement guidance to maximise opportunities for exploiting purchasing economies of scale and delivering best-value for public expenditure on smart card schemes deployed in the local authority sector. It is also intended to provide help and guidance to ensure that important standards development in this area is matched by good practice in deployment of smart cards and associated infrastructures by giving advice and guidance on best practice procurement specification.

WP4-03 - "Guidance Notes on the use of G-Cat" says: The purpose of this paper is to set down guidance notes for local authorities and the NSCP on how to use the G-CAT procurement route to enable them to fast track procurements where necessary, whilst complying with public procurement rules and maintaining best value. The paper specifically addresses the G-CAT Route only. Similar guidance for S-CAT is provided in WP4-07.

WP4-08 - "Sources of Help and Information" focuses on procurement assistance.

The Legal section of the NSCP also provides assistance on procurement.

WP8-05 - "Public Procurement" concentrates on the public procurement law issues for a Local Authority procuring works, supplies or services for the purposes of a Smart Card Scheme.

WP8-09 - "Commercial Conditions Checklist" provides checklists in which details of the main commercial terms to be included in certain of the contracts to be entered into by the Card Issuer are described. The checklists are designed to provide guidance to commercial members of the Card Issuer's contracts teams as to the key terms which the Card Issuer may wish to include in each of the relevant agreements. In addition the checklists may act as an aide memoir for the lawyers acting on behalf on the Card Issuer.

WP8-08 - "Risk Register" - covers risks associated with procurement.

Is a procurement check list available?

WP4-01 - "Procurement Good Practice Checklist" says: The objective of this National Smart Card Project paper is to provide robust procurement guidance to maximise opportunities for exploiting purchasing economies of scale and delivering best-value for public expenditure on smart card schemes deployed in the local authority sector. It is also intended to provide help and guidance to ensure that important standards development in this area is matched by good practice in deployment of smart cards and associated infrastructures by giving advice and guidance on best practice procurement specification.

What guidance is available on S-CAT and G-CAT procurement models?

WP4-03 - "Guidance Notes on the use of G-Cat" says: The purpose of this paper is to set down guidance notes for local authorities and the NSCP on how to use the G-CAT procurement route to enable them to fast track procurements where necessary, whilst complying with public procurement rules and maintaining best value. The paper specifically addresses the G-CAT Route only. Similar guidance for S-CAT is provided in WP4-07.

Are there draft model procurement contracts available?

WP8-09 - "Commercial Conditions Checklist" provides checklists in which details of the main commercial terms to be included in certain of the contracts to be entered into by the Card Issuer are described. The checklists are designed to provide guidance to commercial members of the Card Issuer's contracts teams as to the key terms which the Card Issuer may wish to include in each of the relevant agreements. In addition the checklists may act as an aide memoir for the lawyers acting on behalf on the Card Issuer.