Purpose

Proposed decision:
 
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services is asked
to:
 

i.      
APPROVE the award of
a contract for the provision of network and telecommunication
connectivity services for a period of 4 years, from 8 August 2024
to 7 August 2028, with the option for a contract extension of a
further 3 years from 8 August 2028 to 7 August 2031, which will
continue to be managed by the Kent Public Services Network
Partnership.

 

ii.     
DELEGATE authority to
the Director of Technology, to finalise terms of and award
contracts to the successful provider and to approve, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Corporate and Traded Services, the exercise of any extensions
permitted within the agreed contacts; and
 

iii.    
DELEGATE authority to
the Director of Technology to take other relevant actions,
including but not limited to entering into contracts and other
legal agreements, as required to implement the decision.
 
 
Reason for
the decision
The Kent Public Services Network (KPSN) contract with
Daisy Updata Communications Ltd (DUCL), part of Capita plc, is due
to expire in August 2024. This decision will enable the award of
the replacement contract for the next 4 years (maximum 7
years).

 
Background
KPSN is a self-funding, single ICT network delivering
Wide Area Network (WAN), broadband and internet connectivity
services to in excess of 1500
establishments, 500,000+ users, across 32 Kent partners (public
sector organisations), including fire stations, schools, local
Government offices, universities, colleges and health
organisations.

 
In August 2014, KCC awarded a 10-year contract to
DUCL to be the Service Provider of the KPSN network.

 
In September 2022, KPSN issued a Prior Invitation
Notice (PIN) and conducted market engagement sessions with 8
network and communication suppliers, to ascertain an understanding
of what the network and telecommunications market can provide and
what has changed in terms of service offerings since the last
contract was procured.

 
In August 2023, KPSN proposed a business case to KCC,
recommending that the KPSN contract should be reprocured on a like
for like basis via further competition on the YPO 976 framework,
with a provision of continued flexibility to allow partners to
migrate to KPSN provided Cloud services as and when
required.
Options
A full options appraisal included direct award to an
incumbent provider via a compliant framework, further competition
via an alternative compliant framework and a full Public Contracts
Regulations (PCR) Tender.

 
How the proposed decision supports the Interim
Strategic Plan:
This decision will maintain continuity of critical
business processes and services by continuing to provide
connectivity and telecommunication services  to Kent County
Council and 31 other Kent based public sector
organisations.
 
KPSN are in the process of completing a full
competitive procurement process which will ensure the market is
thoroughly tested and ensures the awarded contract will continue to
provide best value for money. 
 
 
 
 

Decision

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to:
i.             
APPROVE the award of a contract for the provision of network and
telecommunication connectivity services for a period of 4 years,
from 8 August 2024 to 7 August 2028, with the option for a contract
extension of a further 3 years, from 8 August 2028 to 7 August
2031, which will continue to be managed by the Kent Public Services
Network Partnership.
ii.           
DELEGATE authority to the Director of Technology, to finalise terms
of and award contracts to the successful provider and to approve,
in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, the exercise of any
extensions permitted within the agreed contacts; and
iii.          
DELEGATE authority to the Director of Technology to take other
relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into
contracts and other legal agreements, as required to implement the
decision.