98 Provision of IT Connectivity and Equipment at Chorley Digital Office Park
To consider and receive the report of the Director (Business, Development and Growth).
Decision:
That authority be given to place a direct order with the supplier for the ongoing connection and software costs for the primary and back-up circuit connections at CDOP.
Minutes:
Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Member (Economic Development & Public Service Reform), presented the confidential report of the Director (Business Development and Growth)) which seeks approval to place a direct order for the ongoing connection, servicing and software solutions for the primary and back-up circuit connection installations at Chorley Digital Office Park (CDOP).
Members noted that the previous procurement exercise had failed to identify a suitable provider for the data/broadband (BB) provision. As the requirement to procure a service provider is time critical, Essensys, who were previously involved at the design stage of the project, were approached and have confirmed that they would be able to provide both data/BB services as part of a complete Digital Office Hub management solution encompassing both IT and management systems.
Gary Hall, Chief Executive, advised that although not the original plan, this outcome was preferred as Essensys offered a purpose-built software application specifically designed for multi tenanted buildings. In addition, having one provider offered a managed service approach resulting in better day to day control.
Decision:
That authority be given to place a direct order with the supplier Essensys Ltd for the ongoing connection and software costs for the primary and back-up circuit connections at CDOP.
Reasons for Recommendation(s):
Due to a previously unsuccessful procurement exercise and the time taken to comprehensively investigate an alternative data/broadband solution for CDOP, the time period until the building opens is constrained. Approval for an advance order for a time-critical part of the installation has been secured via a procurement waiver to ensure that the CDOP opens on time and is fit for purpose from the outset.
Alternative options considered and rejected:
To re-start procurement and prepare and re-tender for broadband services. There is a lead-in time of up to 3-months for connections and this combined with the timescales for re-tendering for this procurement would significantly jeopardise the building being fully-operational for tenants opening.