The UK’s largest police force is now seeking potential bidders for a framework lasting up to four years, and intended to enable the service to access an array of technology
London’s Metropolitan Police Service has revealed plans to implement a major framework through which the force can buy a comprehensive range of IT products and services from a duo of technology resellers.
The Met “is procuring a value-added reseller (VAR) framework to support the supply of technology hardware, software and associated services across the organisation”, according to a commercial notice recently published by the force.
The deal, which is due to come into effect in about six months’ time for a term of two years, will feature “two suppliers who will be responsible for delivering the goods, services and (where required) minor works needed to maintain operational readiness and meet the authority’s technology requirements”, the notice adds
The goods in question will encompass “the full range of technology hardware and software commonly used” by the main Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) function – as well as its various “specialist policing” units. These will be accompanied by various support services.
The deal is expected to the be worth £252m to the chosen providers, inclusive of VAT.
But the notice advises that “exact volumes will vary over the life of the framework and will be confirmed” via individual call-offs issued over the course of the agreement.
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“Suppliers must be able to scale supply in line with MPS demand and maintain continuity of supply throughout the framework,” the document says.
Prospective bidders must first complete any applicable non-disclosure and ethical walls agreements, after which they will have until the end of this month to submit an introductory questionnaire and financial information.
Up to seven suppliers will then be invited to submit a full tender.
The Met expects to determine its two preferred suppliers in September. Following the conclusion of the framework’s initial 24-month term, the force has the option of putting in place two further extensions of one year each, taking the potential end date of the arrangement to October 2030.
The agreement will be used solely by the MPS.
With 46,000 staff – including more than 32,000 officers – the London force is the largest police service in the UK.
Six months ago the organisation revealed plans to put in place a £25m “dynamic market” to enable the deployment of digital, data and artificial intelligence tools to support the force in delivering “precise policing”.
