Decision details

In 2013 the Council entered into a contract for the provision of a Wide Area Network (WAN). This was procured through the Yorkshire and Humber Public Service Network (YHPSN) framework, led by Leeds City Council, along with circa 60 other partners using this route to market. This contract was for 5 years with an option to extend. The extension options were taken, and the contract expires on 31st December, 2020.
The Wide Area Network is the underpinning foundation of the ICT Service, providing network connectivity across the Council and to Strategic Partners. Without this infrastructure, the ICT provision for the Council wouldn’t operate and would have a critical impact on service delivery.

The Council began work to procure a contract for a longer period of five years. The work undertaken during the pre-market engagement has been extremely valuable. The Council’s team working on the project are of the opinion that a further competition will be needed for a procurement which will bind the Council for the period of five years or more.
The procurement has been disrupted by Covid-19 and having carefully reflected on the matter, the Council will need a longer period of time to complete the longer-term procurement.
To bridge the gap the Council will direct award a 24 month contract to the incumbent supplier through Crown Commercial Services (CCS) RM3808 Lot 1.

Using the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) RM3808 Lot 1, procure a direct award for the provision of the Wide Area Network (WAN) for a 24-month period.

There are no alternative options at this stage due to all the extension options being taken. The timescales in which future provision is required limits the possibility of a full tender exercise being undertaken and a full migration of the Wide Area Network to a new supplier.