Issue - meetings

Report of the Temporary Director of Customer and Digital attached.

RESOLVED Unanimously:

1.    Approval to undertake a procurement exercise to renew the Council’s current Microsoft licence arrangements via a further competition exercise through an EU compliant framework with evaluation weightings of 90% Cost and 10% Quality.

2.    Approval to grant delegated authority to the Temporary Director (Customer and Digital) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Corporate Support and Assets) to enter into a 3 year contract on the basis that the final proposal does not exceed 100K per year.

The Cabinet received a report of the Temporary Director of Customer and Digital that sought approval to undertake a procurement exercise to renew the Council’s current licensing arrangements with Microsoft. The Licences would be purchased for a three year term from 1 April 2019 and would consolidate two contracts.

In anticipation of a price increase of 3% to 6% from December it was important for the Council to undertake a procurement exercise before this date so they could take advantage of the reduced offer.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    Approval to undertake a procurement exercise to renew the Council’s current Microsoft licence arrangements via a further competition exercise through an EU compliant framework with evaluation weightings of 90% Cost and 10% Quality.

2.    Approval to grant delegated authority to the Temporary Director (Customer and Digital) in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Corporate Support and Assets) to enter into a 3 year contract on the basis that the final proposal does not exceed 100K per year.

Reason(s) for the decision:

1.  The Council’s current Microsoft licensing agreements are due to expire. In order for the Council to obtain the best value and ensure excellence and financial sustainability, a procurement exercise is recommended as the best way forward to achieve a fully licenced Microsoft estate.

2.  Renewal of Microsoft licences will also allow the Council to take advantage of the latest technologies offered by Microsoft including Office 365 (O365) and mobile working opportunities.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Due to the Council’s heavy reliance on Microsoft technology and Microsoft’s dominance in the market, there are no realistic alternatives to the use of Microsoft products.