Accounts Payable Service · UK public procurement notice

The Authority has identified a number of known but inherently uncertain risks associated with the delivery of Accounts Payable Service.

These include;

1. TUPE

• TUPE may apply to some or all of the services. Bidders must make their own assessment.
• This is a third-generation outsourcing arrangement, so there may be legacy terms or liabilities from earlier transfers.
• Any staff information provided may not capture all liabilities, such as accrued leave, disputes or pension issues.

2. Volumes

• Transaction volumes, supplier numbers and workload levels are estimates only and may change during the contract term.
• Current purchase order compliance is low and may improve or worsen, which could affect workload and exception handling.

3. Systems and data

• The service relies on several systems and interfaces, and the full extent of integration complexity may not be known at tender stage.
• There may be data quality issues in supplier records, transaction history, workflows or supporting documents.

4. Mobilisation

• Knowledge transfer from the incumbent may be incomplete.
• Mobilisation may uncover further issues in process documentation, system readiness or handover arrangements.

5. Change during the contract

• The Council intends to improve and redesign parts of the procure-to-pay process, so service demand and ways of working may change over time

6. Exit

• Future exit arrangements, including any onward transfer and TUPE position at contract end, cannot be fully defined at this stage.

Bidder responsibility

Bidders are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and taking these uncertainties into account in their tender.