Enterprise Tax Management Platform Client-side SME Expertise and Assurance

Tender description

Terms and acronyms ETMP (Enterprise Tax Management Platform): HMRC’s core tax accounting and payment system, supporting multiple tax regimes and users. SAP ECC6: The legacy SAP enterprise resource planning system currently supporting ETMP. S/4HANA: SAP’s latest enterprise platform, which HMRC is migrating to as part of the regeneration programme. SME (Subject Matter Expert): A specialist providing deep technical or functional expertise. Client-side SME: An integrated service acting on behalf of HMRC to provide independent insight, assurance and challenge to reduce risk and increase delivery confidence. MDP (Migration Delivery Partner): The supplier responsible for delivering the SAP S/4HANA migration. Intelligent Client: HMRC’s internal capability to effectively oversee suppliers, make informed decisions, and ensure delivery aligns with strategic objectives. Assurance: Independent review and validation of plans, designs and delivery outputs. Statement of Work (SOW): A defined package of work outlining scope, deliverables, timelines and payment structure. Summary of the work: HMRC seeks a supplier to provide an integrated client-side SME advisory and assurance service for the ETMP programme, supporting migration from SAP ECC6 to S/4HANA. The aim is to strengthen HMRC’s “intelligent client” capability, improving oversight, risk management and decision-making in a complex multi-supplier environment, enabling a safe, controlled and successful migration whilst maximising business and transformational benefits. Pricing model: Capped time and materials Pricing model: Fixed price Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource: Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply Latest start date: 2026-09-30 Expected contract length: 3-00-00 Expected contract structure: Initial term is for one (1) year plus two (2) one (1) year optional extensions. Estimated contract value (excl VAT): 3000000 Budget details: Year one £1,000,000 Optional Extensions £1,000,000 per year. Why the work is being done: The work is being undertaken to support HMRC’s migration of the Enterprise Tax Management Platform (ETMP) from SAP ECC6 to S/4HANA, driven by the end of SAP ECC6 support and the need to modernise a critical national system. ETMP underpins tax accounting and payment processing across HMRC and is used at significant scale, so ensuring its stability, performance and future capability is essential. The migration presents complexity and risk due to the scale of the system and the multi-supplier delivery model. HMRC needs to strengthen its ability to act as an “intelligent client”, improving oversight, governance, and its ability to challenge and assure supplier delivery. This work will help ensure the migration is delivered safely and effectively, while improving delivery confidence, reducing the likelihood of delays or rework, and building HMRC’s internal capability to manage complex technology programmes over the long term Problem to be solved: HMRC is undertaking a complex migration of its Enterprise Tax Management Platform (ETMP) from SAP ECC6 to S/4HANA to ensure the long-term sustainability of a critical national system and enable future service improvements. However, the scale, complexity and criticality of ETMP, combined with a multi-supplier delivery model, create significant risks to successful delivery. The key problem is ensuring HMRC can effectively oversee, challenge and assure supplier activity to maintain control of delivery outcomes. HMRC manage complex technical and delivery issues within the SAP S/4HANA context, manage interdependencies, and ensure that plans, designs and outputs align with strategic objectives and value for money. This includes strengthening governance, increasing confidence in delivery plans, and reducing risk exposure. The desired outcome is a well-controlled, transparent and resilient delivery environment, where HMRC has the capability and confidence to make informed decisions, reduce delivery risk, and ensure the migration is delivered safely, effectively and in line with intended business outcomes. Who the users are and what they need to do: The primary users are HMRC programme leadership, delivery teams and technical specialists who are responsible for overseeing the ETMP migration and ensuring successful outcomes. These users need to understand complex technical and delivery information, challenge supplier proposals, make informed decisions and manage risks, dependencies and interdependencies across the programme. HMRC’s Chief Digital and Information Office (CDIO) and programme governance stakeholders require clear, independent assurance to validate plans, designs and delivery outputs, enabling confident decision-making and effective oversight at senior levels. The Migration Delivery Partner (MDP) and SAP, as delivery suppliers, are key stakeholders whose plans, designs and outputs must be reviewed, challenged and aligned. The user need is to ensure their activity remains integrated, realistic and aligned to HMRC’s objectives, while maintaining clear accountability within a multi-supplier environment. Commercial and programme management functions within HMRC require insight into delivery performance, risks and supplier behaviours to ensure value for money, appropriate governance and effective contract management. Across all user groups, the core need is to enable a coordinated, transparent and controlled delivery environment, where stakeholders can be held to account, collaborate effectively, understand their roles and responsibilities, and make timely, evidence-based decisions that support a successful migration outcome. Existing team: The supplier will work as part of HMRC’s ETMP Regeneration Programme, embedded within a multi-disciplinary team that includes programme leadership, delivery teams and technical specialists. This includes close working with HMRC’s Chief Digital and Information Office (CDIO), programme directors, architects, engineers and commercial teams who are responsible for governance, decision-making and oversight of the migration. The supplier will also interact regularly with existing external delivery partners, including SAP (the software vendor) and the appointed Migration Delivery Partner (MDP), who are responsible for delivering the S/4HANA migration. The supplier will provide independent advice, assurance and constructive challenge to these suppliers, helping HMRC assess the quality and robustness of their plans, designs and delivery outputs. The role requires operating effectively within a complex multi-supplier environment, supporting alignment across parties, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and ensuring that delivery remains integrated and aligned to HMRC’s objectives. The supplier will not undertake delivery activities, but will act as a client-side advisory function, working collaboratively across HMRC and its suppliers while maintaining independence of judgement. Incumbent supplier: No Working arrangements: HMRC expects the supplier to operate as an embedded, client-side advisory function within the ETMP Programme, working closely with HMRC teams and existing suppliers while maintaining independence of judgement. The supplier will collaborate with programme leadership, CDIO, delivery teams and external partners (including SAP and the Migration Delivery Partner), contributing to a joined-up, multi-supplier delivery environment. Ways of working will be based on regular engagement through agreed governance forums, workshops and day-to-day collaboration. Supplier staff will be expected to proactively share insight, communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels, and provide constructive challenge where required. Attendance at key governance meetings and provision of regular assurance outputs and reporting will form a core part of the engagement. The supplier should adopt flexible and responsive ways of working to meet programme needs, including supporting ad hoc requests for advice or targeted SME input where required. A strong focus on partnership and collaboration, transparency, and knowledge transfer is expected to ensure HMRC teams are supported and capability is developed over time. The working arrangement will primarily be a blend of remote and on-site working, with attendance at HMRC locations required where specified in individual Statements of Work. All travel and subsistence costs must be agreed in advance with HMRC, and only approved expenses will be reimbursed in line with HMRC policy. Security clearance: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Security clearance: Security Check (SC) Additional information on security clearance: The Supplier must ensure all staff are as a minimum Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checked before working on the Buyer account. Dependent on the nature of the work, some staff may require higher level clearance such as Security Check (SC). Preference for contractors to already hold SC clearance, however the Buyer may be willing to sponsor the SC clearance process at the Supplier’s expense.