SS16 113 Retained Incident Response Service

With ICT and Digital as the backbone to most public service functions, technology is recognised as one of the keys to successful and efficient services. With IT being central to this provision and the current and ever present Cyber threat it has been recognised that the various IT support units would benefit from additional support in times of Cyber crisis management. The Public Services ICT Board has therefore commissioned the provision of a Rapid Incident Response Service, which Partners can buy into.
Whilst Kent County Council is the Contracting Authority for these contracts, they are acting on behalf of the partnership. The service will be jointly funded by Kent County Council and Kent Connects, with each Kent Connects Partner bearing influence on the management of the contract and service delivered. The authority to manage the framework agreement is delegated to the single lead organisation, Kent County Council.
The successful tenderer will therefore be required to provide the services to Kent County Council and any of the Kent Connects Partners who choose to call off from the framework. The framework supplier shall provide services included within the scope of this framework agreement to Kent County Council and to Kent Connects Partners where requested pursuant to the terms and conditions of this framework agreement.
The Kent Connects Partnership consists of the following organisations:

Ashford Borough Council
Canterbury City Council (EKS)
Dartford Borough Council
Dover District Council (EKS)
Gravesham Borough Council
Kent County Council
Kent Fire and Rescue
Kent Police
Maidstone Borough Council (MKIP)
Medway- Stephanie Goad
Sevenoaks District Council
Shepway District Council
Swale Borough Council (MKIP)
Thanet District Council – (EKS)
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (MKIP)

Currently, seven partners have expressed interest to join the framework upon commencement. The remaining partners may possibly join the framework upon commencement or during the three year framework term.
It is expected that the contract will contain as a minimum three distinct elements:

On boarding of the client which allows the supplier to understand the technical architecture they may be required to provide professional assistance and guidance in the event of a Cyber attack. This takes a number of days to collect the relevant information.
A yearly retention sum that permits the organisation to call the supplier and obtain a specific performance defined response
A guaranteed ‘day rate’ for the effort executed in the event of such an incident. This is either purchased upfront or at the time.

Organisations wishing to bid for this contract should make an expression of interest and download the documentation once available via this portal