ServiceNow Licensing · UK public procurement notice

This direct award is justified under Section 41 and Schedule 5, paragraph 7 of the Procurement Act 2023, which permits a contracting authority to award a contract without competition where the contract is an extension or partial replacement of existing goods/services and:

• a change in supplier would result in goods/services that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods/services; and
• that difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance.

The proposed contract is for the continued provision of the Council's existing ServiceNow platform and associated subscription services for two years.

ServiceNow supports established ICT service-management processes and has been configured and integrated with the Council's wider technical environment. Changing to a different technology provider during the proposed contract period would result in services that are materially different from, and incompatible with, the Council's existing arrangements.

A change would require the replacement of established configurations, workflows and integrations, together with significant data migration, testing, assurance, retraining and transition activity. Undertaking this work during the proposed two-year period would create disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance, with material risks to interoperability and service continuity.

The Council has therefore concluded that the conditions in Schedule 5, paragraph 7 are satisfied. The proposed award will maintain compatibility and continuity while the Council completes its longer-term assessment of service-management requirements and future options.