Technology Products and Associated Services

Contracts

• Software & Associated Services · The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service

  Signed

  20 Dec 2019

  Value

  £2,000,000,000

  Status

  active

  • Change Notice of the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) extension to the expiry date for Lot 3 of Technology Products and Associated Services (RM6068) framework from 9 December 2023 to 30 April 2024. No other changes will be made to the Framework. CCS’ view is that this modification to the Framework term for Lot 3 is permitted pursuant to Regulation 72(1)(e) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. While CCS is not required to publish this notice it does so to be transparent. As set out below, this is a non-substantial modification under Regulation 72(1)(e), but, in the event that this modification is deemed not to be a modification under the PCR, then this notice should be treated as providing the requisite notice of a contract award. Regulation 72(1)(e) provides a modification is permitted where irrespective of value it is not substantial within the meaning of Regulation 72(8). Regulation 72(8) provides a modification will be considered substantial if any one or more of the following conditions is met: (a) the modification renders the framework materially different in character from the one initially concluded; (b) the modification introduces conditions which, had they been part of the initial procurement procedure, would have— (i) allowed for the admission of other candidates than those initially selected, (ii) allowed for the acceptance of a tender other than that originally accepted, or (iii) attracted additional participants in the procurement procedure; (c) the modification changes the economic balance of the framework in favour of the contractor in a manner which was not provided for in the framework; (d) the modification extends the scope of the framework considerably; (e) a new contractor replaces the original contractor in cases other than those provided for in paragraph (1)(d). CCS’ view is that the increase is not a substantial variation because the: ● framework will not be materially different in character from the one originally concluded; ● increase would not have allowed for a different tender to be accepted or attracted additional bidders; ● increase does not change the economic balance of the Framework in favour of the supplier(s); and ● increase does not extend the scope of the Framework considerably., Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee: The public sector body experienced unforeseen delay in governance, which prohibited their ability to deliver in time for the expiry of this Framework Lot. They are unable to wait until the release of the subsequent CCS Framework available in November, as their current contract will have expired.