Published date: 31 January 2025

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 4 December 2024, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Data-processing machines (hardware) - 30210000

  • Servers - 48820000

Location of contract

North East

Value of contract

£0

Procurement reference

001818 / DN754781

Published date

31 January 2025

Closing date

4 December 2024

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

13 December 2024

Contract end date

12 December 2029

Contract type

Supply contract

Procedure type

Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold)

The opportunity was not advertised, because for example only one supplier is capable of delivering the requirement, or due to extreme urgency brought about by unforeseen events.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Our datacentre main switching that carries all Council data is end of life and out of support. We require completely new switching equipment. We have identified the equipment vendor and produced a design and bill of materials to maintain continuity with other infrastructure.

More information

Additional text

Originally this request was being progressed utilising the YPO Network Connectivity and Telecommunication Solutions - 976, Lot 2 Framework, however, YPO notified DCC that this framework had expired, and their replacement is not yet in place. They had not extended 976 to bridge the gap as assumed by the supplier and DCC due to the framework still being active on their webpage and the supplier still utilising the framework with other clients.

A direct award option was the initial chosen RtM due to the existing infrastructure compatibility and continuity issues, but also due to urgency around avoiding impending price rises due to shipping cost increases which will be imposed following political changes in the USA.

As the request is for a 5 year contract to include the initial purchase and accompanying 5 year support / warranty period to match the lifecycle of the equipment, a direct award via other available frameworks with the named supplier listed were not suitable due to shorter award periods offered of no more than 4 years. It is vital that this supplier is utilised in order to maintain continuity and compatibility with existing infrastructure within ICT.

Overall, it was agreed that this requirement was a special case with extenuating circumstances which could only be resolved by negotiating directly with the named supplier.

Award information

Awarded date

5 December 2024

Contract start date

13 December 2024

Contract end date

12 December 2029

Total value of contract

£368,471

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

FourNet (4Net) Technologies

Address

3 Scholar Road, Trafford Park, Manchester, M32 0TR

Reference

Companies House number: 05448638

Value of contract

£368,471

Supplier is SME?

Yes

Supplier is VCSE?

No

About the buyer

Contact name

Christine Lundy

Address

County Hall
DURHAM
DH15UQ
England

Telephone

03000260000

Email

christine.lundy@durham.gov.uk