Becta

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Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) is an agency of Department for Education and Skills in the UK. In its capacity it oversees the procurement of all information and communications technology (ICT) equipment and e-learning strategy for schools. It was founded in 1998.

Contents

[edit] Policy

According to their website, Becta's objectives are "to influence strategic direction and development of national education policy to best take advantage of technology" and "to develop a national digital infrastructure and resources strategy leading to greater national coherence."[1]

More concrete information was revealed by the Chairman of the Board, Andrew Pinder, in a seminar in October 2006[2] where he deplored the "hopeless disorganization" and "extraordinary fragmented" supply side in the educational sector, and added:

“ There are tens of thousands of little, real little garage operations, producing software and bits of kit, and very very few, in fact no big firms, only about half a dozen mid-size firms, responding in the UK industry and generally around the world.

Now, part of that is in response to the very disperate buying power largely in the hands of individuals in schools who spend small amounts of money, who are almost hobbyists, in the way that they have enthusiasm and a passion about. Typically they would be people who have a real passion about Open Source -- as if open source is any different to any other software -- it's just the pricing structure is different, that's all. But they have a passion. It's a religion, it's a real belief, and again they have a belief about bits of technology that are going to change things. What they don't do, however, is organize things properly...

How do we organize education to be much more effective, much more efficient, to use the investment that it’s got, to change the way it does things, to become more disciplined about the way it organizes itself, in some respects, to subsume the individual professionalism into the greater good of a larger institutional professionalism, to produce better organizations, rather than vying to be just individually better teachers...

Teachers like being stars, they like being in front of the classroom, they like relating to the kids, they have a passionate belief in it. But they are not necessarily are people who are going to organize everybody else around them to produce a production line with the outputs that everyone agrees on.”

There is currently an Early Day Motion "express[ing] concern that Becta and the Department for Education and Skills, through the use of outdated purchasing frameworks, are effectively denying schools the option of benefiting from both free and open source and the value and experience small and medium ICT companies could bring to the schools market" signed by 67 MPs.[3] (See Becta and open source)

[edit] Management

Board of Directors[4]
Andrew Pinder, Chairman, appointed January 2006[5]
John Roberts, formerly chairman of the board, also was chief executive of Royal Mail Group, from 1995 to 2002, including its time when it was rebranded as Consignia.
Ben Andradi, also CEO of Servista
Stephen Gill, also Vice President of Hewlett Packard UK
John Gray
Michael Stevenson (DfES Assessor)
Anthony Lilley, also Chief Executive of Magic Lantern Productions, an interactive media production company specialising in content for broadband and multiplatform media.
Graham Badman
Senior management team[6]
Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive, appointed 12 June 2006
Niel McLean, Executive Director, Educational Practice, joined 1998
Dr Stephen Lucey, Executive Director, Educational Technology, joined May 2000
Tony Richardson, Executive Director, E-strategy, joined February 2006
Dr Peter Avis, Director, Board and Corporate Affairs, joined 1998
Christine Vincent, Director, Learning and Teaching, January 2004
Nicola Newman, Director, Communications, February 2004
Pat Hunt, Director Corporate Services, joined 1998, promoted February 2004
Vanessa Pittard, Director, Evidence and Evaluation, joined May 2004
David Hassell, Director, Educational Content, 1998

[edit] Framework Contracts

Becta administers the procurement of ICT equipment for schools using framework agreements, which last for four years and have been deemed legal under European law.

The result of these agreements is that educational institutions in the UK intending to purchase goods and services relating to ICT, including system design, hardware and software provision, training, implementation and ongoing technical support, where the budget would breach the procurement threshold (of about 100,000GBP)[7] can save the hassle by procuring from a company on a Becta maintained list.[8]

The listed companies are also deemed to comply with the appropriate technical standards as well as FITS (Framework for ICT Technical Support).

While schools and Local Education Authorities are not legally obliged to purchase from the listed suppliers, these two factors create an enormous pressure for them to do so. The effect is to create a closed market. If, for example, none of these suppliers are willing to provide Open Source Software to run servers and networks, then such products will not be found in schools, whether or not that was the intended consequence. (See Becta and open source)

[edit] Infrastructure contracts framework agreement

On 23 November 2005, Becta dispatched a contract notice for a framework agreement in the Official Journal of the European Union of unspecified value to deliver computer hardware and networks to capable of running high speed access and a common systems framework to schools.[9] On 8 August 2006 the contracts were officially awarded,[10] though the publication of the announcement was not until 27 September.[11]

The 16 successful companies were: Azzurri Communications Ltd, Centerprise International Ltd, Computer Systems in Education Ltd, Egton Medical Information Systems Ltd, Ergo Computing UK Ltd, European Electronique Ltd, Gaia Technologies Plc, HBS Business Services Group Ltd, Linetex Computers Ltd, Northgate Information Solutions Ltd, Ramesys, Research Machines, Serco, Stone Computers Ltd, VT Four S Ltd, XMA Limited

Each company must be capable of providing the entire infrastructure for an entire school alone as part of the deal; there is no room for specialist suppliers for, say, just the computer mice.

Though Becta claims to have negotiated purchase prices which mean "it will be harder to get it cheaper anywhere else",[12] Becta reveals no pricing guidelines. Instead, schools are supposed to write a specification and run a mini-competition like an auction among those of the sixteen suppliers who express an interest in order to determine the price.[13] This work itself can be contracted out by schools as well after a mini-competition among listed consultancy suppliers. (see Consultancy services framework agreement)

Once the contractor is chosen, a Service Order is signed between the two parties specifying the services that are being provided, and the prices. Becta should receive quarterly management reports from the companies operating under the regime detailing what Service Orders have been signed, and the full accounts.[14]

[edit] Consultancy services framework agreement

On 21 December 2005, a framework agreement was announced that allowed schools to hire "external consultants to take responsibility for the often time consuming and costly decisions around developing an ICT infrastructure" which is due to last until 2008.[15]

The 21 winning consultancy contractors are: 3E's Enterprise, Brian Farrington, Cambridge Education, Deloitte MCS Ltd, Educational ICT Services Ltd, Edunova (WSP Building Ltd), Enterprise MCP Ltd, Four S, Hornagold & Hills, Improcom, Logical CMG UK Ltd, Mantix, Mason Communications Ltd, Mouchel Parkman Services, NCC Services, Novatia, PricewaterhouseCooper Ltd Liability Partnership, Research Machines, Serco, Socitm Ltd, Tribal Group.

Becta recognizes that the overlap between these companies who may be managing the procurement on behalf of the schools, and the companies who would eventually be bidding to supply the contracts, could result in conflicts of interest. To overcome this, Becta allows a company to "withdraw from the process once the specification for the ICT infrastructure [which they have written] is defined" before competing for the provision of the infrastructure.[16]

[edit] Laptops for Teachers

A three year "Laptops for teachers" framework agreement ran from 2003 to 2006 with 40 suppliers, which were:

Acer UK Limited, Akhter Computers Limited, Apple Computer International, Canon (UK), CBC Computer Systems Limited, Centerprise International Limited, Chisholms Computers Limited, Compusys Plc, Computacenter (UK) Ltd, Computer Village, Dell Computer Corporation Limited, Egton Consulting & Technical, Elonex plc, Enterprise MPC Limited, Ergo Computing Limited, European Electronique Limited, Evesham Technology Limited, Hewlett Packard (Compaq) Limited, Hi-Grade Computers plc, IBM UK Limited, Inmac (Micro Warehouse Limited), Links Education Limited, MGL, Misco Computer Supplies, NEC Computers UK, Novatech Direct Limited, P C World Education, Ramesys (e-Business Services) Limited, Research Machine plc, Stone Computers, Teksys Limited, Time Education, Tulip Computers UK plc, VdoCOM, Viglen Limited, Watford Electronics Ltd, Westwood Associates Limited, XMA Limited.

Becta claims on its website that the advantages of their regime were the extended warranties, and savings of £45 million. The actual number of laptops in total, and from each supplier, as well as their costs are not revealed.[17]

[edit] Interactive whiteboards framework

(23 suppliers)

http://whiteboards.becta.org.uk/index.php?i=8&sessionId=52f3af470b54a4524f297a7d98454566&p=1

http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=pr&catcode=ss_to_pr_cp_wh_04&rid=9666

[edit] Non-curriculum Software framework

(15 suppliers, but the software is split into seven categories and, for example, only four suppliers are approved for graphics and publishing).

http://procurementtools.becta.org.uk/advice/suppliers/suppliers.php?skin=0

[edit] Internet access framework

(10 suppliers)

http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=pr&catcode=ss_to_pr_cp_isp_acc_05

[edit] Planned frameworks

In addition to the existing frameworks, Becta has two more in the pipeline.

[edit] Learning services framework agreement

On 24 February 2006, Becta dispatched a contract notice for another four year framework agreement of unspecified value to deliver various "Learning Services" such as Virtual learning environments and other ICT products. Participating companies had to have a a net worth of at least 700,000GBP to qualify. The window for tenders closed on 30 March 2006 [18] The awards have not yet been announced.

The requirements document is available : http://industry.becta.org.uk/content_files/industry/resources/Specification_key_docs/functional_req_learning_platforms_v1.1.pdf

[edit] Management Information Systems

The consultation has closed and can be found at : http://communities.becta.org.uk/WebX?50@422.JXNfarTVGAk.14@.3c3f9d04 (account needed).

Over the consultation period of two months there were eleven comments submitted.

The requirements document was published on 9th October 2006 : http://industry.becta.org.uk/content_files/industry/resources/Specification_key_docs/IMP_Requirements_final_v1.pdf

[edit] Self-review framework

The self-review framework is a free, online tool created by Becta and its partenrs that schools can use to assess and benchmark their use of ICT across all their activities.

It enables schools to identify where they are and shows the practical steps they can take to gain even greater benefit from their use of ICT.

In many areas, it complements the work schools currently undertake for Ofsted and can be provided as evidence for a school’s Self Evaluation Framework (SEF).

[edit] Curriculum Online

Procurement of Curriculum software is available to schools via Curriculum Online, in which there are huge numbers of suppliers. This is not a framework in the same model of the others.

[edit] Becta and open source

In May 2005 Becta published a report[19] of eight case studies where Open Source software was deployed in Schools on servers and in the classroom, often mixed with Microsoft products. The conclusions were positive and the considerable savings in cost were noted.[20]

In spite of this experience, Becta's infrastructure framework for suppliers to schools outlined above has been accused of excluding open source systems by its choice of companies.[21]

The current chairman of Becta holds the view that "open source is [no] different to any other software -- it's just the pricing structure is different, that's all. But [its supporters] have a passion. It's a religion, it's a real belief."[2]

On 23 November Becta responded an Early Day Motion "express[ing] concern that Becta and the Department for Education and Skills, through the use of outdated purchasing frameworks, are effectively denying schools the option of benefiting from both free and open source and the value and experience small and medium ICT companies could bring to the schools market"[3] by rejecting the claim that its procurement frameworks are outdated.

"The frameworks are awarded in accordance with EU procurement legislation... against a range of criteria based around quality of provision and service, and against the extent to which they meet the requirements of the functional and technical specifications – specifications that have been developed in conjunction with all stakeholders, including members of the open source community...

"Acceptance onto the framework is by the assessment of the capabilities of a supplier to deliver and support a comprehensive suite of technologies and not by providing a single, specific product."[22]

Evidence suggests that none of the suppliers offered any open source products as part of the procurement procedure, and while institutions "are not mandated to purchase from within these frameworks" they will receive no assistance from Becta if they select services from outside.[citation needed]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Strategic objectives (2005-2008). Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  2. ^ a b The future of e-Learning. Oxford Internet Institute (16 October 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  3. ^ a b Software in Schools. pims (21 November 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-23.
  4. ^ Becta's Board. Becta. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  5. ^ "Pinder takes chair at Becta", Theregister, 11 January 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  6. ^ Senior management team. Becta. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  7. ^ EC Procurement Thresholds. European Communities – Services – Restricted procedure. Tenders Electonic Daily (2006-01-31). Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  8. ^ Purchasing above the EU procurement threshold. Azzurri Communications Ltd. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  9. ^ UK-Coventry: infrastructure services. European Communities – Services – Restricted procedure. Tenders Electronic Daily (2005-11-23). Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  10. ^ UK-Coventry: computer and related services - CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE. Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union. Tenders Electronic Daily (2006-09-27). Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  11. ^ Becta (2006-09-29). Formal launch of the Becta ICT infrastructure services framework. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  12. ^ Kablenet. "Becta to save cash for schools", 10 August 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-23.
  13. ^ Cox, Lesley (26 October 2006). Letter to Julian Todd's FOI request (pdf). Becta. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
  14. ^ Bird & Bird;90 Fetter Lane;London EC4A 1JP (27 July 2006). Framework SOT combined (pdf). Becta. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
  15. ^ Becta (21 December 2005). Becta Consultancy Services Framework Agreement for ICT in Education. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
  16. ^ About the consultancy services. Becta. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
  17. ^ Laptops for Teachers technical support. Becta. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
  18. ^ UK-Coventry: educational software. European Communities – Services – Restricted procedure. Tenders Electronic Daily (2006-02-28). Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  19. ^ Becta (2005-05-13). Open Source Software in Schools. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  20. ^ Wearden, Graeme. "Government: Open source could halve school IT bills", ZDNet UK, 2005-05-09. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  21. ^ Marson, Ingrid. "Becta fails the open source test", ZDNet UK, 2006-03-07. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  22. ^ "Becta denies open source school barriers", Computer Business Review, 23 November 2006.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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