Scope
Reference
C/2025/624
Description
This contract covers the urgent and essential upgrade of the Council's CCTV Shared Service Control Room. The upgrade includes:
• Deployment of Veracity Viewscape v11 Video Management System (VMS)
• Installation of Windows 11-compatible hardware and associated infrastructure
• Migration of all existing system configurations, user profiles, and third-party integrations
• Operator training and post-installation support
The upgrade ensures the continued secure operation of a critical public safety infrastructure ahead of Microsoft's October 2025 end-of-life for Windows 10
Contract 1. CCTV shared control room upgrade award to DSSL Group Ltd
Supplier
Contract value
- £230,000 excluding VAT
- £276,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
21 July 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 28 July 2025 to 27 September 2025
- 2 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 50324100 - System maintenance services
Contract locations
- UKH1 - East Anglia
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Additional or repeat goods, services or works - further goods, services or works following a competitive procedure
The direct award to DSSL Group Ltd is justified under Section 41(1)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023, as competition is not reasonably practicable due to the following technical and security considerations:
1. Security and Continuity of Service
• The CCTV system is a 24/7 mission-critical platform integrated with law enforcement, emergency services, and national security feeds.
• DSSL is the incumbent provider with full knowledge of the secure network design, encryption configurations, and access protocols. Introducing a third party would pose an unacceptable risk to system integrity, public safety, and legal compliance (GDPR, DPA 2018).
2. Incumbent-Specific Configuration
• The current VMS (Veracity Viewscape) has been heavily customised by DSSL, including bespoke integrations with ANPR, Help Points, and emergency interfaces.
• Attempting to replicate these configurations with a different supplier would introduce significant technical and operational risk, including loss of undocumented institutional knowledge.
3. Warranty, Compliance, and Liability
• DSSL holds full responsibility for system warranty and SSAIB-certified compliance. Use of another provider would invalidate current warranties and split liability across suppliers - a scenario which could compromise support and audit-readiness.
4. Access to Secure Data and Environments
• The upgrade involves access to sensitive video footage, secure control rooms, and law enforcement data.
• DSSL's personnel are pre-cleared, trained, and authorised under existing security protocols. Vetting a new supplier would incur delays and compliance risks.
5. Value for Money
It will be difficult to get an alternative provider in to do the upgrade. the only alternative will be the purchase a totally new system which will cost at least 400% of the current price added to the risk of service disruption. This service is an upgrade of an existing system already being used by the Council, hence the need for a direct award.
• DSSL's proposal ensures full backward compatibility, minimal retraining, no downtime, and the most cost-efficient route to maintaining operational continuity.
Supplier
DSSL Group Ltd
- Companies House: 6993052
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNWG-7295-ZPZH
1-3 Britannia Court, Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon, ESX, SS13 1EU, United Kingdom
Basildon
SS13 1EU
United Kingdom
Email: aaron@dsslgroup.co.uk
Website: http://www.dssl.co.uk
Region: UKH37 - Essex Thames Gateway
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. CCTV shared control room upgrade award to DSSL Group Ltd
Contracting authority
Huntingdonshire District Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXCY-8219-LWDM
Pathfinder House St Mary's Street Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire
PE29 3TN
United Kingdom
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government