Purpose

Award of Contract for Body Worn Cameras and
Two Way Radios for 4 year framework agreement and initial call-off
order.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, the
Corporate Director has decided to:
1)   
Award a two lot Framework Agreement to the bidders that provided
the most economically advantageous tenders as named in Appendix B
(Successful Bidders) to facilitate the purchase of body worn
cameras, two way radios and associated infrastructure with an
estimated total value over a four year period of £300,000
(exc. VAT).
2)   
Award a Call-Off Contract under the Framework Agreement to the
Successful Bidders for the purchase of 100 body-worn cameras (3
year contract), 100 two-way radios (5 year contract) and associated
infrastructure, at an estimated cost of £209,437.50 (exc.
VAT).

Alternative options considered

1.1          
Do nothing. The Council currently utilises a variety of body worn
cameras and two-way radio solutions, some of which are ageing, out
of date and rely on infrastructure that is not in line with current
corporate ICT policies. Use of these systems will become
increasingly problematical as the devices continue to age and the Council increasingly moves towards
cloud-based solutions. Therefore, this option has been
discounted.
1.2          
Not awarding a Framework Agreement will mean that each service area
requiring these solutions will need to undertake their own
procurement procedures which result in an increase in staff
resource to undertake the procedures and a potential lack of
compatibility between service areas. Therefore, this option has
been discounted.
1.3          
The option not to procure body worn cameras for CEOs will mean that
allegations of abuse both against and by CEOs will continue to rely
on verbal recollections from both parties when investigated both
internally and in those situations that require interaction by the
Police. Not replacing the aging existing two
way radios will impact on communications between CEOs and
with senior colleagues, which would have an impact should there be
incidents that would require immediate action, such as violent or
abusive situations.  Therefore, this
option has been discounted.