URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8123

Decision Maker: Head of Information Technology (John Fairclough)

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of the report is to seek approval in accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015 Regulation 72(1)(a), to modify the Call off Contract with Aimes Management Services Limited for the provision of IT compute, storage and periphery infrastructure as provided for within the existing call-off contract entered into under the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 13 Framework agreement, as set out in the call-off order form under the “Extension period” provisions and clause 1.3 by extending the contract term from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.  

Content: The purpose of the report is to seek approval in accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015 Regulation 72(1)(a), to modify the Call off Contract with Aimes Management Services Limited for the provision of IT compute, storage and periphery infrastructure as provided for within the existing call-off contract entered into under the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 13 Framework agreement, as set out in the call-off order form under the “Extension period” provisions and clause 1.3 by extending the contract term from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.     (i)    That, in accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015 Regulation 72(1)(a), the Call off Contract with Aimes Management Services Limited (trading as ARO) for the provision of IT compute, storage and periphery infrastructure be modified by extending the contract term as provided for  within the existing Call-Off Contract entered into under the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 13 framework as set out in the call-off order form under the “Extension period” provisions and clause 1.3 from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.   (ii)   That the Procurement Team be authorised to issue the relevant contract modification documentation.   Do Nothing: This option was considered and rejected because the existing contract for IT compute, storage and periphery infrastructure is due to expire on 31st March 2026. If the contract is not extended this would result in the loss of core infrastructure services that underpin critical council systems including line of business applications, data storage, backup and disaster recovery. This would present a significant risk of service disruption and impact on Council services used by users, residents and partners.   Seek Competition (Quotation / Tender): This option was considered and rejected on this occasion because the existing contract includes a clear and explicit option to extend for a further period of up to 12 months. The incumbent supplier is performing satisfactorily with services operating as intended. The pricing for the extension period was agreed as part of the original procurement therefore undertaking a new competitive procurement at this point would be disproportionate and introduce unnecessary risk to service continuity. This could also not be completed within the timescales required to ensure uninterrupted provision of services.   There were no other viable options identified as delivering the services in-house was considered but discounted as the services rely on externally hosted private cloud infrastructure and accredited data centre facilities. The current call off contract provides the provided services and includes contractual mechanism to extend the term.  

Date of Decision: March 25, 2026