CO0168 Managed Network Services

Description

Essex County Council’s (ECC) current managed network services contract ends 31st December 2025, with a further period for transition. Accordingly, ECC is planning to publish a tender for a new managed network services contract as early as January 2025. This service will extend to all locations currently deemed to be in-scope by ECC, c200 locations across the county and to support ECC employees, c9000. The purpose of issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) to the open market is to raise awareness amongst potential providers and to advise that ECC plan to hold an in-person briefing session at 11:00am on Thursday 21st November 2024, in Chelmsford, Essex. Interested suppliers should register their interest via ECC’s procurement portal, ProContract (https://procontract.due-north.com/Login). Search for the opportunity: ‘DN748706 CO0168 Managed Network Services’. Lot 1: Essex County Council’s (ECC) current managed network services contract ends 31st December 2025, with a further period for transition. Accordingly, ECC is planning to publish a tender for a new managed network services contract as early as January 2025. ECC is seeking to work at a strategic level with the contracted provider to help realise our transformation and digital ambitions. It is intended that the new contract will provide a modern and well managed enterprise network solution that is designed, built and operated on effective security principles. In alignment with Council’s ambitions, the new contract will look to reduce reliance on specific properties through leveraging cloud infrastructure (where applicable) and thereby benefit from being able to scale (up and down) in accordance with ECC requirements. Whilst the contract will be focused on outcomes, new technology will need to be implemented as part of execution of the new contract, and through the life of the contract, to ensure that a compliant environment is maintained. ECC expects the contract to have a 7-year term, excluding potential extensions. Supplier Event: Ahead of publishing the Tender, ECC is holding an event to provide further details on the opportunity. The proposed agenda includes an overview from the Cabinet Member for Transformation, and details from senior Council officers on how this procurement supports ECC’s strategic aims and objectives. The event will be held in person at Chapter House, Chelmsford Cathedral, Essex on Thursday 21st November 2024 from 11:00am – 12:15pm. To attend this event, registration is mandatory. If the capacity of the venue is exceeded, your organisation may be contacted to limit the number of people to two attendees. How do I register for the event? To register, please use the messaging function in ProContract to submit the names of your attendees in order of priority by 12pm Thursday 14th November 2024. Further information is provided via the Council's e-sourcing portal, ProContract (https://procontract.due-north.com/Login). Search for the opportunity: “DN748706 CO0168 Managed Network Services”. Attendance will be confirmed via the portal by the 12pm 15th November 2024 at the latest. After the event: Following the event on Thursday 21st November 2024, the presented material will be made available via ECC’s e-sourcing portal. Important information Respondents are advised that the purpose of this notice is to inform the market of our current intentions. As such, the scope of service, date of publication or any and all details contained within this notice should not be taken as a final "version" of requirement and are subject to internal review and governance. This notice is not a call for competition to procure any works or services and is not published to reduce time limited for the receipt of tenders. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or (lack) to this notice. Nor shall a response to this notice guarantee an invitation to participate in this supplier event or any future procurement process that Essex County Council may conduct. Essex County Council is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party responding to this PIN or any party who may participate in the supplier event. Please direct all queries through the ProContract messaging functionality linked with the advertised opportunity. Anyone contacting the Council directly via email will be directed to the portal for communications. A registered supplier account is needed to access information, but registration is free of charge. The Proactis supplier helpdesk (https://www.proactis.com/uk/support-login/support/) can help with any registration queries. Please direct any technical queries to the helpdesk in the first instance, selecting the Supplier Support option on the home page.