Content

Salford City Council – Record of
Decision
 
I Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the
Council Constitution
do hereby approve:
 
·     
to Award the Contract forWide Area Network (WAN) Upgrade, as
detailed in the table below:
 

Detail required

Answers

Title/Description of Contracted
Service/Supply/Project

Wide Area Network (WAN) Upgrade

Name of Successful
Contractor

TNP (The Networking People)

Supplier Registration Number

(to be supplied by Corporate
Procurement)

07667393

Type of organisation

(to be supplied by Corporate
Procurement)

Private Limited Company

Status of Organisation

(to be supplied by Corporate
Procurement)

SME

Contract Value (£)

£2,285,021.00
full project

Contract Duration

60 months

Contract Start Date

06/01/2025

Contract End Date

06/01/2030

Optional Extension Period 1

N/A

Optional Extension Period 2

N/A

Who will approve each Extension
Period?

Choose an item.

Contact Officer (Name &
number)

Matt Wall (793-3818)

Lead Service Group

Resources and Transformation

How the contract
was procured?

(to be supplied by
procurement)

Direct award

Framework Details (where
applicable)

(procurement body, framework reference
& title, start/ end date

Network Services 3 Framework Agreement
(RM6116)
23/05/2023 - 17/07/2025
Lot 1a: Inter Site Connectivity (Wider Area Network)
/ Data Access Services)

Funding Source

Combination of Above (please detail below)

Ethical Contractor (EC): Mayor’s
Employment Charter

 

EC: Committed to sign Charter

 

EC: Accredited Living Wage
Employer

 
The Reasons are:
The
network infrastructure in Salford, established over a decade ago,
has delivered considerable benefits throughout its lifespan.
Initially, it was designed with a focus on perimeter security for
the organisation, suited to a workforce primarily based at council
locations.
 
The
move to a fully agile workforce — under the [MY]Work
initiative—and the substantial changes brought about by the
pandemic means the existing network architecture has become
inefficient and no longer cost-effective. The current lease line
contractual agreements are due for renewal and upgrade.
 
The
outdated equipment and the end-of-life status for future updates
and security patches put DDaT in a
position where proactive network security is challenging.
Additionally, the inefficiency of the DDaT team's time spent supporting this ageing
equipment leads to frequent failures and service interruptions.
Procuring parts for these devices has become increasingly difficult
and expensive due to the age.
 
To
address these challenges and in line with Project Innovate by
looking at ways of optimising third-party spending, the service
engaged the market using the Crown Commercial Service’s
Network Services 3 framework agreement (RM6116). This engagement
specifically targeted Lot 1a, which encompasses inter-site
connectivity and data services, under CCS Chest reference
DN698501.
 
The
creation of a new modern architecture is essential to support the
operational demands of the organisation in delivering key services
across the city, given the reliance on digital infrastructure. This
modernisation of the WAN/LAN will enhance business continuity
requirements and facilitate better ingestion of security data into
the DDaT team via our dedicated Cyber
Defence team (CyDops). Significantly
improving the ability to monitor, detect, and respond to security
threats, thereby ensuring a more secure and resilient network
environment.
 
The
proposed upgrade will involve the replacement of outdated equipment
with cutting-edge technology, significantly enhancing the
efficiency and performance of our network. Moreover, it will enable
us to comply with the latest standards and best practices, ensuring
that our services continue to operate smoothly. The modernisation
project will position the organisation to better adopt new
technologies and innovations in the future, providing a solid
foundation for continued operational success.
 
By
implementing a new energy-efficient networking solution, we aim to
achieve substantial energy savings—up to 80% less power usage
compared to traditional setups. This supports our commitment to
reducing long-term operational costs and environmental impact. This
is accomplished through features in the Forti Switches utilizing a
technology called Energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE). When no data is
being transferred through a port, EEE puts the data link in sleep
mode to lower the power consumption of the FortiSwitch unit. When data starts flowing again,
the port returns to its regular power usage. The FortiGates security appliances also offer
significant power reductions compared to competitors (see image 1).
Additionally, the solution uses advanced technology and TNP’s
expertise in public sector network solutions to provide a robust
digital infrastructure known as the Digital Metrofabric.
 
(Image 1) 
 
 
 
This
infrastructure will serve as the backbone for a host of services,
including high-capacity connectivity, enhanced digital inclusion
through public Wi-Fi, IoT integrations for smart city applications,
and a comprehensive security fabric that spans from the core to the
network edge. By incorporating these advanced capabilities, we
ensure that our network infrastructure is future-proof and
well-equipped to handle the evolving digital landscape.
 
Assessment of Risk:
Failure to replace the
end-of-life equipment for our wide area network (WAN) presents
several high-level risks. Firstly, there is a significant risk of
network failure, leading to disruptions in our services and
operations. Outdated equipment is more prone to malfunctions and is
less capable of handling current and future digital demands.
Secondly, the security vulnerabilities inherent in obsolete
technology increase the risk of cyberattacks, potentially
compromising sensitive data and breaching compliance regulations.
Lastly, the lack of support and updates for end-of-life equipment
can result in higher maintenance costs and operational
inefficiencies, ultimately affecting the overall productivity and
reliability of our network infrastructure.
 
The source of funding
is: Cyber Refresh Capital
Programme and Digital, Data and Technology revenue
budget.
 
Legal Advice obtained: Yes.
 
Financial Advice
obtained: Yes.
 
Procurement Advice obtained:
Yes.
 
HR Advice obtained:
N/A.
 
Climate Change Implications
obtained: Yes.
 
The following documents have
been used to assist the decision process:
·     
Approval to Award the Contract forWide Area Network (WAN)
Upgrade.
 
Contact Officer: Matt
Wall
Telephone number: 0161 793 3993
 
·     
This matter is also subject to consider by the Lead
Member for Resources and Transformation. The Lead Member has been
consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract.
 
·     
This matter is not subject to consideration by
another Lead Member.
 
·     
The appropriate Scrutiny Committee to call-in the
decision is the Procurement Board.
 
 

Signed:    Paul
Dennett       Dated:   9 December 2024.
           
      City
Mayor
 

FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE
ONLY
 
*          
This decision was published on 19 December 2024
*          
This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 30 December 2024
unless it is called-in in
accordance with the Decision Making
Process Rules.