Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Walsall Council
Civic Centre, Darwall Street
Walsall
WS11TP
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG38 - Walsall
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
WP4165 Microsoft Unified Support Services
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72266000 - Software consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Software consultancy services
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: £411,663
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG38 - Walsall
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council now requires an equivalent modern and comprehensive support solution for the full Microsoft product set. Core components of the Council's technology environment, such as user authentication, rely entirely on Microsoft platforms. For example, all user logins are held within Azure Active Directory. If Azure Active Directory were to fail, staff would be unable to access the Council's network, which would in turn block access to all systems including the critical systems listed above. It is therefore essential that the Council can access direct, timely and authoritative support from Microsoft at any time in order to prevent, mitigate or quickly resolve any major issues.
The Council needs a support agreement for Microsoft technologies and services to ensure continuity of service.
The support agreement shall provide:
24/7 technical support; giving the Council direct access to Microsoft Support Services which will respond to critical issues within 30 minutes.
as needed advisory services
on-demand (customer initiated) health assessments and operational surveys
Technical training paths (customer initiated)
In addition, the support agreement will provide:
An Enhanced Designated Engineering (EDE) for 200 hours which can be used to help the Council to get the most value from existing and future investment in Microsoft technology. The Council will proactively contract manage usage of this through monthly reporting and ensure value for money is obtained.
120 Hours Access to Microsoft's Dart -Detection and Response Team, is a specialized cybersecurity unit within Microsoft that focuses on incident response and proactive security services.
A sub-2-hour response time is within the SLA, hours may also be used proactively (previously this was a separate product quoted at 100K per annum)
2 Days of custom workshops on any subject
In year 1 a series of delivery focused AI workshops designed to accelerate adoption and maximize the value of Microsoft 365 Copilot
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
There is only one provider that meets the needs of the Council for these services.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
28 January 2026
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Microsoft Limited
Reading
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ11 - Berkshire
Companies House
01624297
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £411,663
Total value of the contract/lot: £411,663
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Walsall Council
Walsall
Country
United Kingdom