Purpose

As part of the original RoODF form produced by Jeremy Hall on 23/4/25 a value of £194,877 was included for as part of the wider Framework Agreement RoODF. This was an estimated value stated to end upon completion of FP1.
Once in contract with Hitachi, a PO was raised for £197,475 to cover the framework management costs until August 31st 2026.
We now need to issue an order under the current contract for the next 12 months worth of framework management activity. The value of £208,221 has been forecasted by Hitachi from September 1st 2026 to 31st August 2027.
This has already been forecasted within the WP5 cost plan however it is above the agreed amount from the original RoODF.
To ensure Hitachi keep providing the services of a technology partner, this value will need to be approved.

Decision

The costs associated with the framework management is already included and accounted for within the WP5 cost plan.
The approval to spend the amount above the £197K is yet to be granted.
The estimated new cost for the framework management from 1st September 2026 to 1st September 2027 is £208,221.
Detailed forecasts for the following year is yet to be provided as a submission can’t be made until the variation on contractbee is complete.

Alternative options considered

N/A