Digital and Legacy Application Services (DALAS)

Crown Commercial Service (CCS), working with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), intends to procure a new Framework Agreement for IT Digital and Legacy Application Services (DALAS).

The DALAS framework intends to provide a strategic gateway to support the delivery of future application services and move HMRC toward an application services support model that is less dependent upon legacy technologies.

The framework will provide a commercial vehicle to replace existing contractual arrangements that are due to expire between September 2023 and January 2025, and will provide the basis for letting a large proportion of HMRC future application services requirements.

The framework will also be available to be utilised by Central Government Departments and all other UK Public Sector Bodies, including Local Authorities, Health, Police, Fire and Rescue, Education and Devolved Administrations.

The procurement is being delivered using one restricted procedure split into two phases. Phase 1 includes Lots 2a, 2b, 3 and 5. Phase 2 includes Lots 1, 4a and 4b. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will each have a selection stage and an ITT stage.

Additional information: Cyber Essentials is a mandatory requirement for Central Government contracts which involve handling personal information or provide certain ICT products/services. Government is taking steps to reduce the levels of cyber security risk in its supply chain through the Cyber Essentials scheme. The scheme defines a set of controls which, when implemented, will provide organisations with basic protection from the most prevalent forms of threat coming from the internet. To participate in this procurement, bidders must be able to demonstrate they comply with the technical requirements prescribed by Cyber Essentials, for services under and in connection with this procurement.

Refer to https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/cyber-essentials-faqs for more information.

On 2.4.2014 Government introduced its Government Security Classifications (GSC) scheme which replaced Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS). A key aspect is the reduction in the number of security classifications used. All bidders should make themselves aware of the changes as it may impact this requirement. This link provides information on the GSC at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications