Purpose

Background
The Council has established a Unified Data Platform (UDP) based on MS Fabric to enable its agreed strategic approach to data management and utilisation. It is intended that this platform will eventually replace existing, legacy datasets currently in use by the Corporate Performance Team (CPT) that provide vital analytic and reporting capabilities.
It is important that existing outcomes (BI reports \ analytical functions) are subject to a minimum level of disruption while this migration of the underlining data provision takes place, and existing knowledge and expertise of both the Fabric Platform and the current data sets used by CPT will significantly contribute to this approach.
CPT have been utilising a 3rd party resource to support their work for several years; this resource has intimate knowledge of the current CPT datasets and is able to provide their services through Consultancy+.

The Council will look to establish permanent capability to maintain the CPT datasets within the UDP following this initial migration. This may result in existing staff being moved to these
support functions or new permanent roles being established. At which time the need for external support from 3rd parties will reduce or be fully removed.

Requirement
The work will consist of providing technical expertise and engineering capability as follows:
• Support the ongoing development and effective utilisation of the MS Fabric Platform (known internally as the Unified Data Platform, UDP).
• Act as a lead engineer and contribute, as part of a wider team, to the increasing maturity of the Data Architecture, managed within the UDP.
• Work as part of a wider team of engineers and analysts to ensure that data from source systems is ingested, stored and managed in compliance with the agreed Data and Platform Architecture.
• Support the development of specific datasets ( bronze, silver and gold layer) through the development of matching data sets and semantic data models to be used for reporting, analytic and transactional activities across Council Service areas.
• Work with the IT strategic partner and other 3rd parties as required, to provide advice and guidance, specifically around the Corporate Performance Team datasets being migrated to the UDP.
• Provide technical expertise in the use of Power BI and associated advanced functions such as Power Platform to ensure the effective delivery of reporting across LCC and provide expertise in Power BI across the wider Community of Practice.
This work is focused on the next twelve months where knowledge and experience of the existing CTP datasets will be a vital contributor to the success of migrating to the UDP. There is an option to extend by a further 6 months to ensure the migration activities are complete.

The budget for this resource will come from the existing Product Teams budget for 2026/27, no additional budget provision is required.
Procurement Process
YPO framework 1141 is a single supplier framework, providing access to a Managed Service Provision (MSP), Consultancy+. As a single supplier framework, the procurement process is direct award.
The MSP manages the Council’s requirements, delivering
consultancy and professional services through their supply chain
- InfoJam are being onboarded with Consultancy+ to provide the services required by the Council.

Contract and Commercials
The contract pricing is on a time and materials basis.

The initial term of 12 months is estimated to cost £106,650 (ex VAT) based on the estimation of 237 days @£450 per day.

The extension of 6 months is estimated to cost £54,000 (ex VAT).
The framework fees are estimated to £7,513 for the full 18 month term, resulting in a total contract value of £168,163 (ex VAT).
The above estimations of the time required by InfoJam to fulfil the Council’s requirements will be managed day to day, and may require variation or amendment. As such, the decision additionally seeks delegation for contract variations up to a maximum contract value of £200,000 including the Consultancy+ administration fee.
The Consultant will be performance managed by the Head of Strategy, Architecture and Product who will review performance regularly over the contract period to ensure the Council’s outcomes are being met.

The standard Consultancy+ contract contains a break clause encompassing the right of the Council to terminate the contract at any time giving 3 months written notice.
Risks
There is a risk that the migration of CPT datasets from the current platform to the UDP will be more complex than anticipated and will therefore take longer. This risk is mitigated by the provision of an additional 6-month optional extension to the initial 12-month term.

Decision

To award a contract to Consultancy+ for provision of “Data Engineering and Data Assets knowledge” for an initial period of 12 months, with an extension option of 6 months, a total period of 1.5 years, for a total value of £168,163.
To delegate authority to sign the contract, and any subsequent variations and extensions to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing
The Council would lose the services of a supplier with inherent knowledge of the project and technology, and consequently there would be significant negative impact and impediment upon the delivery of this IT project and the strategic management of data, particularly regards the Corporate Performance Team.

Direct Award
Not required; a compliant framework process is currently
available.

Matrix Contingency Labour / Version 1 Contract
The Council would be unlikely to secure a resource of similar or better expertise and capability with the existing knowledge and experience of the CPT environment at the rates being offered.