More States are recognizing the value of having an unbiased, outside, opinion expressed about their systems development projects. Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V – for more information reference the IEEE-1012-2004 specification) is a standardized approach to providing these opinions that States are beginning to request contractor’s use. A key tenet of IV&V is “Independence”. That is the ability for your IV&V contractor to give you an opinion about your systems project without being biased or unduly influenced.
We have seen many “IV&V” contractors play a game with Independence. They avoid procurement conflict of interest rules by partnering with a systems integration (SI) vendor in one State on the construction or implementation of a project and bid in another State to provide IV&V over the same SI vendor. Technically they aren’t working for the systems integration contractor in your State but in the larger picture they do receive money from the contractor they are charged with overseeing on your behalf. This, obviously, negates the independence they profess to bring to your project.
IV&V vendors do need to remain technically smart about system integrators, system developers, software solution vendors, and fiscal agents offerings so we’re not suggesting there be no communication. Just that no financial relationships exists between your IV&V vendor and these entities.
So what do you need? You need a consultant who does not contract with or have an obligation to system integrators, system developers, software solution vendors, and fiscal agents that will likely bid on your projects. You need language in your IV&V procurements that guarantees this independence.