Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service
9th Floor, The Capital Building, Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L3 9PP
supplier@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3150103503
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/crown-commercial-service
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Public procurement
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Vodafone GCF Extension Contract - Further extension of the email relay and email filtering services
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The existing contract is for Vodafone provided Government Convergence Framework (GCF) services to be supplied from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2021. The GCF is the “intelligent core” of the Public Services Network (PSN) which is used for secure communication by numerous bodies across the public sector. This extension will extend the email relay and filtering services (one of four lots) for use by those public sector bodies that still have a limited requirement for this legacy technology. The new one year extension covers a period during which these bodies will transition away to new email services sourced from the open telecommunications and software markets.
The existing Vodafone GCF contract has four lots; Domain Name Server (DNS) services, email relay and filtering services, peer to peer service (to enable communication between PSN and other government networks) and professional services. Only email relay and filtering services are proposed for extension.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £3,300,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The email relay service enables users of the PSN to communicate securely with each other and third parties via email. Users comprise multiple public sector bodies across central government and the wider public sector (e.g. local government). The email filtering services are used by the same user group and scan PSN email communications for dangerous content such as suspicious website links and spam email.
The extension will be awarded to Vodafone. This is legacy technology and a previous further competition to replace the technology provided in this lot attracted no bidders. Service continuity is required to enable transition of remaining users to open market replacement solutions.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award procedure without prior publication of a concession notice in the cases listed below
- No applications, no tenders or no suitable tenders/applications in response to a prior concession award procedure
Explanation:
The extension is made in compliance with Article 72(1)(b) Directive 2014/24 and Regulation 72(1)(b) Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
There are no alternative supplier as this lot attracted no bidders; there is no market interest.
Multiple public sector bodies will not be able to transition from the existing email relay and filtering services provided under the Vodafone GCF contract by its expiry on 31 March 2021. The loss of email capability on the PSN will undermine delivery of several UK citizen services.
Although the exact number of users is to be finalised at the time of publication, the number is expected to be no more than 100 out of an original user base of over 500. The remaining users will use the contract extension period to transition to open market email solutions, a process already completed for the overwhelming majority of original users.
There is no long term future for the email relay and filtering services as provided. Therefore, for economic and technical reasons and due to the significant inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs for the contracting authorities, as already demonstrated in a procurement which for this lot attracted no bidders, the only supplier available and willing to continue to provide these services is Vodafone. Other suppliers who are interested in providing replacement services will have opportunities to bid for these during 2021 and 2022. In the meantime, this contract extension is required in order to provide service continuity to remaining email relay and filtering users.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Title
Vodafone GCF Extension Contract - Further extension of the email relay and email filtering services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
6 March 2020
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Vodafone Limited
Vodafone House, The Connection,
Newbury
RG14 2FN,
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
National registration number
1471587
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £3,300,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service
9th Floor, The Capital, Old Hall Street
L3 9PP
Country
United Kingdom