Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) in partnership on behalf of the Thames Valley Fire Control Service (TVFCS) jointly procured a joint mobilising system and related services. This was for the operational system dealing with 999 calls. The TVFCS now wish to issue a VEAT notice relating to this Contract.

Pursuant to an OJEU Contract Notice dated 21 September 2021 and an OJEU Contract Award Notice dated 18 December 2013, Oxfordshire County Council/Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (RBFRA), together “the Fire Authorities”, jointly procured, and entered into a Contract (the Contract) dated 21 January 2014 with Capita Secure Information Solutions Limited (CSISL) as “the Supplier”, for the provision by CSISL for the Thames Valley Fire Control Service (TVFCS), of a joint Mobilising System and related services. This is for an operational system dealing with 999 calls.

The Contract was for seven years from the “Acceptance Date”, as defined in Schedule 1 to the Contract. That was 10th April 2015. The Contract made provision for extension: Clauses 3.3 and 5. This was for up to a further 8 years. It has been extended, until April 2024.

The Contract also contains provisions for technology refresh: Clauses 4 and 22; and for change control and variation: Clauses 24 and 51 and Schedule 7.

This Notice has three objects. The first is to update the initial Notices so as to take account not only of the initial value but also of the value during extension periods. The second is to reflect a novation that has occurred, referred to at 11.2.4 below. The third is to enable and facilitate technology refresh and consequent modification of the Contract with respect to both the hardware, which is at the end of its operational life, and the Supplier’s linked software, which requires upgrading by the Supplier. It would not be possible to contract another provider to carry out the software upgrade implementation work. Only the Supplier has the necessary technical knowledge to carry out the work. Moreover, there are intellectual property restrictions. The hardware cannot practicably be procured from a different provider. Operational issues would arise, and, in the event of faults, it would at best be difficult to determine whether the issues being experienced were a software or hardware problem. This would give rise to an unacceptable risk in terms of public safety.