Telephony & Connectivity

The Trust is seeking to enter an overall five-year contract, three-year initial period, with options to extend for 2 x 12-month periods (subject to satisfactory performance), with a single supplier who will demonstrate technical competency and best value for money in relation to the Trust requirements.

This tender is for a third-party provider to supply intra-site connectivity between all existing Trust schools. In addition, the provider will supply access to the Internet as well as VoIP services.

As other schools join the Trust, it is anticipated that connectivity will be deployed to these sites, in accordance with the schools budgets, and any existing contractual commitments, for intra-site connectivity to the Trust's schools.

The trust is looking to use a phased, 'roll out' approach in the implementation of this contract, for the current schools, with an initial timetable set out below, however this is not confirmed and may be subject to change. The final phasing will be agreed as part of mobilisation and ongoing contract management.

The Trust reserve the right to delay any school's involvement in the phased roll out as budget constraints to the schools may create unforeseen delays that the trust are unable to account for at stage of tender.

During the contract period the Trust aim to ensure that the service is future proofed. The pricing schedule will allow suppliers to submitted optional costs where the Trust will have visibility of additional services. The Trust reservice the right to review the submitted costs with the awarded supplier and reserve the right to test the market prior to any additional commitments being made within this contract.