Issue - meetings

This report sought approval for a 1 year extension to the contract with Uniservity for the provision of a Learning Platform, from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012.

A learning platform brings together hardware, software and supporting services designed to support teaching, learning, management and administration in Medway’s schools. The report provided details of how learning platform tools had been used, how the contract had been managed and benefits realised.

The Procurement Board had considered this report on 22 December 2010 and recommended it to Cabinet for approval.

Reasons:

The contract has run successfully to date and school usage of the Learning Platform is growing year on year.

A large investment has taken place in bespoke training and support with schools over the implementation phase of the project, best value can be obtained from harnessing the value of this investment in an extension to the contract.

Surveys of schools using the product show that it is meeting their needs.

A 1 year extension will provide flexibility for schools in the current uncertain financial climate.

A 1 year extension would enable schools to evaluate the new ‘Life’ product and ensure that it is fit for purpose before committing to a further year.

The Uniservity Learning Platform continues to comply with original procurement specifications and Uniservity is developing a successor to the current system, which will provide extra functionality to further support teaching and learning from September 2011.