National IT procurement for UK police forensics

Resetting commercial governance to enable forensic services transformation

at a glance

A UK policing organisation engaged Evolve Commercial to lead a complex national IT procurement supporting the modernisation of forensic services.

Through an end-to-end commercial reset, strengthened supplier governance, and ITIL-aligned contract management processes, the programme improved commercial control, clarified stakeholder accountability, and enabled critical procurement activity to progress with greater confidence.

Outcomes

Commercial reset delivered

End-to-end refresh of commercial landscape, processes and governance

transformation enabled

Commercial model aligned to support the wider programme

ITIL-aligned framework introduced

Strengthened service and supplier management

Critical procurements progressed

Targeted approach to secure required commercial expertise

BACKGROUND

UK policing required modernisation across its forensics units to deliver a more efficient and effective service.

This was being delivered through a national technology transformation programme. Evolve Commercial was engaged to improve supplier contract governance and manage a suite of critical procurements supporting the programme.

the challenge

The programme required a step change in commercial capability. Supplier agreements were fragmented, governance was inconsistent, and existing processes were not aligned to the scale or ambition of the transformation.

At the same time, multiple stakeholders needed to be aligned within a complex governance landscape, while critical procurements were progressed and risk carefully managed.

SOLUTION

Following a detailed review of the commercial landscape, Evolve identified the need for a full reset of commercial processes to enable the programme’s objectives. Working closely with leadership teams, Evolve delivered this reset while also leading key procurement activity. This included:

Conducting detailed gap analysis of supplier agreements and identifying commercial risk
Consolidating supplier contracts and managing exits where required
Establishing Memoranda of Understanding to formalise stakeholder roles and ensure financial clarity
Implementing revised government procedures and governance structuresIntroducing contract management processes, including supplier reviews and KPIs
Leading end-to-end tender processes for critical procurements

Governance and processes were aligned to the needs of the transformation, enabling procurement activity to progress with greater clarity and control. Stakeholders operated with clearer roles and accountability, and supplier management was strengthened through formal contract management and performance frameworks.

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