Decision details

Microsoft is one of the key components of GMP’s technology estate, including user licences, SQL server licences and Azure cloud consumption. Microsoft do not contract directly for licences, Instead this is contracted through a Large Account Reseller (LAR) which in GMP’s case is Phoenix. However, Microsoft do not contract support through its resellers, but only deal direct. Due to GMP’s reliance on Microsoft products, it is a critical support contract for GMP.

We are recommending a 3 year contract over the normal annual contract with Microsoft as it gives us some cost certainty going forward and provides a saving of £35K per annum over a one year contract.

The Deputy Mayor approves a Direct Award of a 3 year contract for Microsoft Unified Support to Microsoft Corporation using the suppliers Terms and Conditions. The likely value of the 3 years spend would be circa £1 million.

What alternatives were considered and why were these rejected?

To go to tender:

• Do nothing – rejected as GMP require a support contract for its key Microsoft product set.
• Undertake a bespoke procurement exercise (OJEU) –rejected because only Microsoft can undertake native Microsoft support

Although some third party organisations offer to provide Microsoft product support, they cannot change any code and any calls that need changes or are beyond their understanding, need escalating to Microsoft, leading to unacceptable delays in fixing issues with GMP’s core systems