Contact: Rory Fitzgerald Extn 7415 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1.2 To approve the tender from Norsk Data Ltd to enter into a 3 year contract, renewable annually to provide hardware maintenance for central and desktop IT hardware.

1.6 Norsk Data Ltd require a 6 week lead-in period prior to commencement of their service. Approval is also requested for an extension to the existing agreement with Synstar to cover the period from 1^st May to 5^th June 2005.

2 Reason

2.3 These decisions supports Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving Services) by contributing to the continuous availability of IT Services and its supported functions throughout the County.

2.1 The main County Council hardware contract covers all central hardware mostly housed in the computer suite and all desktop equipment supplied by IT Services to departments and schools. The current contract will end on the 30 April 2005 and a tendering exercise has been carried out for a new contract.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The engagement of an external contractor to provide this service is considered the only viable option.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 Not applicable

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 Not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date: 14 April, 2005

Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE