Lift Schools (formerly known as Academies Enterprise Trust) and Bromcom Computers Plc (Bromcom) make the following statement in connection with the claim brought by Bromcom against Lift Schools arising from Lift Schools’ award of a contract for schools management information systems to Arbor Education Partners Limited via the G-Cloud 12 Framework Agreement.
Lift Schools and Bromcom have now agreed to settle the claim on confidential terms. Lift Schools acknowledges that Bromcom has acted reasonably and cooperatively in negotiating a mutually acceptable conclusion to the dispute and that Bromcom’s motivation is to ensure that schools receive the best service at the best price and that they do so through procurement routes that afford equal treatment and transparency to participants in the market.
Lift Schools acknowledges that the provision of a schools management information system is a crucial element in running a modern school and that generally it will be important to evaluate the quality of competing solutions on the market rather than solely the price when procuring to ensure that solutions are fit for purpose.
Lift Schools continues to take steps to ensure that its schools benefit from best-in-class support, resources and technology. Lift Schools looks forward to evaluating the bids of any qualified supplier who chooses to participate in any future procurement for management information system services when the current contract expires.
Ali Guryel, Managing Director at Bromcom, says:
“At Bromcom, we are dedicated to leading by example, advocating for transparency, the best procurement practices, fair competition, and open systems within the education ecosystem. In 2003, Bromcom achieved a significant milestone by securing the first-ever voluntary assurance for the provision of APIs to third parties in the EdTech market from the Office of Fair Trading. This breakthrough opened up opportunities for ‘bolt-on’ products and benefited the entire industry. Our legal action against the United Learning Trust led to a judgement that not only vindicates our position but also offers valuable lessons for the education ecosystem. It was found that accepting a rebate from a bidder (Arbor, in this instance) offered from an unrelated contract was unlawful in that case.
“Throughout our legal challenge to Lift Schools’ procurement process our unwavering focus remained on driving positive outcomes in the sector. We weren’t driven by financial gain, but by a passionate commitment to raising awareness of best practices that ultimately benefit everyone: students, educators, and the education system as a whole. In fact, as testimony to our dedication to this mission, we agreed not to seek our costs from Lift Schools in the settlement. This wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about taking a stand for what we believe in, and increasing awareness of best procurement practices.
“These steps, as with any others we have taken in recent years are testament to Bromcom’s long-standing crusade advocating for transparency, best procurement practices, fair competition, and open systems in the education ecosystem.”
James Browning, Chief Operating Officer at Lift Schools, adds:
“At Lift Schools, we’re driven by a belief in an entitlement for excellence and doing everything we can to ensure that every child has an excellent education, in every classroom, every day. Like Bromcom, we believe transparency and responsible procurement are fundamental to an effective and efficient education sector, in which everyone is focused on doing the right thing for children and young people. While legal proceedings can be divisive, we recognise Bromcom’s concerns and appreciate their focus on best practices.
“Throughout this process both parties have acted with respect towards one another and in good faith throughout. Lift Schools’ unwavering focus has always been on serving teachers and our pupils, and we will always do what is in their best interests.
“Moving forward, we’re committed to open dialogue and collaboration. We value Bromcom’s perspective and welcome the chance to work together, alongside other industry leaders, to establish robust, ethical procurement standards that benefit everyone.
“Furthermore, we encourage fair and transparent practices free of incentives which risk compromising transparent and impartial evaluation. Lift Schools remains dedicated to continuous improvement, transparency, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with all involved to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students.”