Future Network for Schools (FN4S) Service for educational establishments in Hampshire and Southampton

Tender description

Hampshire County Council (HCC) is seeking to create a single supplier framework called Future Network for Schools, that will provide a reliable, scalable, flexible and affordable managed internet access service for Schools, Academies and other educational establishments within Hampshire and Southampton. The new service will need to provide a range of features including (but not limited to) firewalling, web filtering and reporting, safeguarding, VPN connectivity, DNS, anti-virus, and remote access services. Under the framework, schools will have a direct relationship with the supplier for the provision of all service operations, delivery, support and service desk, ordering and billing. HCC will not be directly involved in any of these activities. The successful supplier will need to provide schools with an online service catalogue from which services can be ordered. The council cannot guarantee or give any assurances as to the volume of schools entering into an agreement with the service provider via the framework agreement. Schools must determine for themselves whether the framework service provider, and call off terms and conditions, and other framework documents are acceptable to their organisation. Lot 1: Hampshire County Council seek to establish a single supplier framework for the provision of services as stated above. The framework term is 4 years however schools will be able to specify a 2 year or 3 year call off contract term. The minimum service provision maybe supplemented by the schools with additional optional services as stated in the tender documents. The successful supplier will be required to manage all elements of the migration from the current service provider (Virgin Media Business), installation, and implementation and subsequent operation directly with the schools/educational establishments. A defined Service Level Agreement will be established between the school and the successful contractor. The supplier should have a set of defined service management policies, systems and procedures in place including but not limited to: • Information Security Management System (ISMS) or similar security policy framework. • Quality Management System (QMS) • Environmental Management System (EMS) • Supply chain management covering all products, services and sub-contractors required for the delivery of services. • Risk management • Change management • Business continuity • Disaster recovery • Technical development methodologies. • Staff development