Scope
Reference
CPA/SPU/2762
Description
This notice is presented on the basis of an exemption permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The ground relied on is as follows:- “strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to preserve assets or enable services to be maintained”.
This award is justified because the provision of ongoing Wide Area Network Services is critical to continued operations. There is a current contract in place for the provision of such services which comes to an end on 02nd February 2026. Steps have been taken in a timely fashion to secure a new long-term contract for the provision of wide area network services with effect from 03rd February 2026 https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/view-contract?secureid=9fa9c7c1-0b33-4199-8aab-eee9bc6cd239. However, given the criticality of such services to the ability to continue to provide blue light services in Cheshire and given the timing along with unexpected/ emerging risks, it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to facilitate appropriate contingency arrangements to mitigate any risk of a gap in provision.
Such a short term contingency arrangement cannot be awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure because the services are strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency and, there is both insufficient time to complete a further competitive exercise and insufficient time for any other provider (given the works involved) to set up and establish a replacement supply. These services could only be provided by the existing supplier whose infrastructure is already in place.
As indicated, this award is only for the purpose of securing services for so long as is necessary to mitigate the risk. A short-term contract for the shortest possible term has been provisioned for and a further contract is already in place for the longer term. Other options including informal competition, quotes or use of a framework were considered but the timescale means no other supplier could provision in the timeframe required even if commenced immediately. Factoring in any exercise would extend an already impossible timeframe.
Contract 1. Wide Area Network Services CPA/SPU/2762
Supplier
Contract value
- £186,862.22 excluding VAT
- £224,234.66 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
27 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 February 2026 to 2 May 2026
- 3 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
This notice is presented on the basis of an exemption permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The ground relied on is as follows:- “strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to preserve assets or enable services to be maintained”.
This award is justified because the provision of ongoing Wide Area Network Services is critical to continued operations. There is a current contract in place for the provision of such services which comes to an end on 02nd February 2026. Steps have been taken in a timely fashion to secure a new long-term contract for the provision of wide area network services with effect from 03rd February 2026 https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/view-contract?secureid=9fa9c7c1-0b33-4199-8aab-eee9bc6cd239. However, given the criticality of such services to the ability to continue to provide blue light services in Cheshire and given the timing along with unexpected/ emerging risks, it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to facilitate appropriate contingency arrangements to mitigate any risk of a gap in provision.
Such a short term contingency arrangement cannot be awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure because the services are strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency and, there is both insufficient time to complete a further competitive exercise and insufficient time for any other provider (given the works involved) to set up and establish a replacement supply. These services could only be provided by the existing supplier whose infrastructure is already in place.
As indicated, this award is only for the purpose of securing services for so long as is necessary to mitigate the risk. A short-term contract for the shortest possible term has been provisioned for and a further contract is already in place for the longer term. Other options including informal competition, quotes or use of a framework were considered but the timescale means no other supplier could provision in the timeframe required even if commenced immediately. Factoring in any exercise would extend an already impossible timeframe.
Supplier
Capita Business Services Ltd
- Companies House: 02299747
30 Berners Street
London
W1T 3LR
United Kingdom
Email: engagewithus@capita.com
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Wide Area Network Services CPA/SPU/2762
Contracting authority
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMWP-7421-WXRW
HQ, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road
Winsford, Cheshire
CW7 2UA
United Kingdom
Region: UKD63 - Cheshire West and Chester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government