PCD 1270 ESN Project Team Funding

PCD 1270    ESN Project Team Funding

This decision seeks approval for the continuation and expansion of Digital Policing (DP) ESN Strategic Project Team resources for the period commencing start of October 2022 to end of March 2024 (18 months).  

This is required in order that the MPS can progress ESN activities to prepare the MPS for transition from Airwave to ESN in conjunction with the Home Office Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP). 

The MPS and its partners in the 3 Emergency Services (3ES) have no option other than to transition to ESN in order to maintain access to a national mission critical voice solution past the Home Office advised National Airwave Shut-Down date (currently circa. 2028). Failure to transition is untenable as without critical voice communication the MPS would be unable to discharge its responsibilities effectively and the resultant Health and Safety risk to Officers, Staff and members of the Public would be unacceptable. 

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:   

1. Approve the plan of work and the resourcing requirements for the ESN Strategic Project Team for the period October 2022 to March 2024 at a capital cost of £2,409,000 (£1,299,000 2022/23, £1,110,000 2023/24) fully funded from the MOPAC approved Digital Policing capital plan. 

PART 1 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL FACTS AND ADVICE TO THE DMPC 

1. Introduction and background  

1. The Emergency Services Network (ESN) is the Home Office mandated replacement for the current Airwave Radio Service used nationally by the 3ES and other emergency partners. The move of all 3ES Users from Airwave to ESN is essential to ensure the continuity of mission critical voice communication following the HO planned Airwave National Shut-Down (currently circa. 2028). 

2. In order to progress the necessary preparation activities required to ensure the MPS are ready to move forward with ESN without delay when the HO products and plan are delivered, it has been agreed by the ESN Strategic Project Governance that a Business Justification Paper seeking authorisation of resource funding for the next 18 months is the most appropriate way forward at this time.  

3. Although the current plan estimates that the MPS may not commence transition to ESN until January 2026, the volume of preparatory work that needs to be carried out over the coming months/years remains considerable and challenging. If not carried out in a timely manner, this could lead to the MPS (and other Forces) not being able to declare the service as Operationally viable when required resulting in a delay to the start of National Transition and ultimately Airwave shut-down. The latter would have a financial impact for the MPS and other Forces due to the necessity to keep both ESN and Airwave in live operation for an extended period of time. The importance of maintaining momentum by retention of resources was acknowledged by the Chief Constables Reference Group (CCRG).  

4. It is considered essential therefore, that the MPS progress ESN preparation activities so that we can influence the solution and are ready to participate in National ESN Tests, Trials and Pilots as required to prove that the ESN solution is operationally viable and that national sign-off can be achieved at the earliest opportunity. 

2. Issues for consideration  

1. The MPS and its partners in the 3ES have no option other than to transition to ESN in order to maintain access to a national mission critical voice solution past the HO advised National Airwave Shut-Down date (currently circa. 2028). Failure to transition is untenable as without critical voice communication the MPS would be unable to discharge its responsibilities effectively and the resultant Health and Safety risk to Officers, Staff and members of the Public would be unacceptable. 

3. Financial Comments  

1. The plan of work for the ESN Strategic Project Team for the period October 2022 to March 2024 will icur a capital cost of £2,409k (£1,299k 2022/23, £1,110k 2023/24) which fully funded from the MOPAC approved DP capital plan. 

4. Legal Comments  

1. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (“MOPAC”) is a contracting authority as defined in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”).  All awards of public contracts for goods and/or services valued at £213,477 or above shall be procured in accordance with the Regulations. This report confirms the value of the proposed contract exceeds this threshold. Accordingly, the regulations are engaged.     

2. The MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent provides the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (“DMPC”) has delegated authority to approve: 

1. Business cases for revenue or capital expenditure of £500,000 and above (paragraph 4.8); and 

2. All requests to go out to tender for contracts of £500,000 or above, or where there is a particular public interest (paragraph 4.13).  

3. Paragraph 7.23 of the Scheme provides that the Director of Strategic Procurement has consent for the approval of the award of all contracts, with the exception of those called in through the agreed call in procedure.  Paragraph 4.14 of the Scheme provides the DMPC reserves the right to call in any MPS proposal to award a contract for £500,000 or above. 

4. The recommended procurement approach, based upon the scope of services is to use current MPS Contracts. All contracts are compliant with PCR 2015 and currently provide in scope services. 

5. Commercial Issues  

1. This business jstification covers the projected resource requirements for the period between the start of October 2022 to end of March 2024. This includes funding for the continuity of the “As-Is” team (a mix of Permanent MPS Staff, Contract resources and Specialist supplier resources) plus a forecast for resource variations as required at key points in the ESN delivery cycle. 

2. There are a number of procurement routes available as possible options to procure the scope of service. Following analysis, the confirmed procurement approach for the scope of services is to use current MPS Contracts. As an extension to existing services this work does not change any aspects relating to responsible procurement. 

3. VFM will be achieved by adherence to the NAO Criteria of Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness.   

4. The continuity of the National Mission Critical Voice service through ESN is a primary enabler to ensure the MPS is able to discharge its responsibilities effectively and contribute to  the London Anchor Institutions Charter to work together to help restore confidence in the City.  

6. GDPR and Data Privacy  

1. The project does not use currently personally identifiable data of members of the public, so there are no current GDPR issues to be considered. If the project uses personally identifiable data of members of the public at a later date DPIAs will be completed as needed. 

7. Equality Comments  

1. As this is an extension to existing services this work does not change any aspects relating to equality or diversity. 

8. Background/supporting papers 

1. Report