Purpose

SYMCA continues to develop its digital, data and technology capability to support increasing organisational complexity, devolved responsibilities and transformation activity across the organisation.
To support this, SYMCA requires ongoing strategic advisory support to strengthen digital governance, leadership capability, organisational design, portfolio oversight and technology decision-making.
This Record of Officer Decision seeks approval to directly award a consultancy contract to Socitm Commercial Ltd via the Bloom Procurement Services framework to provide strategic digital advisory support.
The engagement will provide experienced senior-level advisory support embedded within live leadership, governance and delivery activity across the organisation.
The support will focus on strengthening governance maturity, improving clarity of accountability, supporting leadership decision-making, developing organisational capability and ensuring digital, data and technology activity remains aligned and sustainable.
The advisory arrangement also provides continuity of strategic support and access to specialist public-sector expertise across areas including digital governance, operating model development, organisational design, portfolio oversight, data governance and leadership development.

Decision

Approval to directly award a consultancy contract to Socitm Commercial Ltd via the Bloom Procurement Services framework to provide strategic digital advisory support.

Contract value - £299,364 + VAT
Contract term - Two years
Procurement route - Direct award via Bloom framework

Scope includes:
• Digital governance and leadership support
• Organisation design and capability development
• Technology strategy and architecture advisory
• Data governance and insight support
• Portfolio oversight and reporting
• Leadership development and mentoring

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – Do nothing
Not viable. This would reduce access to specialist strategic advisory support during a period of significant organisational change and increasing digital and technology demand.

Option 2 – Full competitive procurement
A new procurement exercise would reduce continuity of organisational knowledge and require additional onboarding time within a complex and evolving organisational environment.

Option 3 – Direct award via Bloom framework to Socitm Commercial Ltd (recommended)
Provides a compliant procurement route, continuity of strategic advisory support, access to specialist public-sector expertise and flexibility to respond to evolving organisational priorities.