Procurement for Posit Cloud Software and Associated Support

Since May 2022, DEFRA has utilised Posit Services as a critical and comprehensive publishing solution that enables data scientists to upload data models and insights for stakeholder review. Posit licenses enable data scientists to analyse data and create models and content which is then published on the Connect platform for stakeholders to view. These licenses (and their associated Services) are critical for DEFRA to be able to provide insights and information to a range of stakeholders, ensuring transparency is maximised and that trust is built between parties involved. Discussions were held with Project team to understand market and solutions that would meet the requirements. Given the requirements for a Cloud Software solution, it was felt that the use of the G-Cloud 14 framework offered the best route to market for the purchase of the Posit Service. A downselect was conducted via G-Cloud 14 (as the requirements met the scope of the contract for a Cloud Solution) in accordance with the Framework terms. Although this is a call-off from the G-Cloud 14 Framework, the justification for this Direct Award is under regulation 32 (2) (b) of the PCR 2015 for use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication is against reason ii) "competition is absent for technical reasons" - the Call Off has downselected on technical criteria against a list of suppliers in accordance with the framework. The value of the contract is a total contract value of £1,890,382.39 (Core Period: £1,197,369 and an Optional Extension: £693,013.39 ex VAT). To note, the Optional Extension would take the contract out to a final end date of 31/03/2029