After its previously reported £200m IT contract debacle with Agilisys, and its termination half-way through a ten-year deal, the States of Guernsey has awarded a modest £750,000 staff IT support contract to local island firm C5 Alliance.
That deal starts from 1 August, 2025, as part of a two-year agreement. Agilisys will be dropped as a supplier for various IT services “by 31 July, 2025 at the latest”, the States of Guernsey says.
“This agreement with C5 Alliance is the first as part of the government's new multi-vendor model. Announcements about further agreements are expected in the coming days and weeks,” it added.
C5 Alliance will provide the States' IT helpdesk, with staff also able to “self-serve” more easily, it is promised, with “clearer guidance” on how to do this, while reducing the need to go to the helpdesk.
While the initial contract is for two years, there is an option to extend it for a further two years.
Gé Drossaert, States chief digital and information officer, said: 'This is an excellent first step as we move towards our new multi-vendor model for the delivery of IT services. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to appoint an on-island provider who invests in Guernsey, and believe this represents value for money.
“I am confident that C5 are dedicated to deliver a first-class service and form an integral part of our new model. We have a clear service level agreement as part of the contract that provides confidence and guarantees accountability. The main driver with any change is a tangible improvement, one that is felt by our staff who rely on the IT helpdesk. We aim to keep on improving.”
Before choosing to terminate the £200m contract, the States admitted, in a report, that it lacked the staff and expertise to successfully manage the contract, that it signed in 2019.
Agilisys has chosen not to comment on the termination.
