Government departments have begun sourcing the new 'e-Communications Infrastructure' for public sector websites that will replace 'DotP', the Government's short-lived £35 million bespoke content management system.
The new system will provide a common platform across government for running multiple websites, in the form of a fully managed and hosted content management service, like DotP.
However whereas DotP was custom-written specifically for government use, the e-Communications Infrastructure will be based on a Commercial Off-The-Shelf solution.
"Key objectives of the procurement include the realisation of efficiencies across departments and to provide better citizen experience through a consistent approach to displaying Government information via the web", said a tender notice to potential suppliers issued on 18 May.
The Cabinet Office e-Government Unit has decided to call time on DotP following disappointing take-up since its launch by the Office of the e-Envoy almost exactly two years ago.
The five government websites that have used the bespoke system are those of the Department of Health, the Healthcare Commission, the Chancellor's Child Trust Fund initiative, the Directgov citizen portal and the eGU itself, which 'decommissioned' off the DotP platform in March.
The eGU intends to support for DotP until next March – the planned "end of life date".
The move sees the Department of Health planning to switch back to a Commercial Off-The-Shelf product less than a year after spending over £3m on migrating its website to DotP.
The tender notice states: "Aggressive timescales are being pursued for both the procurement and delivery of phase one of a suitable solution by March 2006."
The Department for Education and Skills is leading the procurement of the new system having formed a 'club' with Directgov and the Department of Health to take forward the project.
The contract's value has not been disclosed but it is expected to run for three to five years.