PCD 1423 IVMA CradlePoint Router Refresh

PCD 1423 IVMA CradlePoint Router Refresh

This decision seeks approval to proceed with technical refresh of CradlePoint routers in vehicles fitted with In-Vehicle Mobile Applications (IVMA) devices. The current CradlePoint routers cannot be supported or security assured beyond May 2023. The routers will be sourced via competitive procurement using the Health Trust Europe Framework. The cost of £1.7m will be funded from the MOPAC Approved Digital Policing (DP) Capital Budget. 

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to approve:   

1. Capital expenditure of £1,700,000 in 2023/24 for fleet-wide deployment of CradlePoint routers to be fully funded from the MOPAC Approved Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Capital Budget. It is recommended that CradlePoint IBR900 routers are purchased, these being the most cost effective product to replace the existing routers in service. 

2. Initiation and award of a 12 month call off Contract for the supply of CradlePoint routers, to the value of £1,700,000 by competitive procurement, using the Health Trust Europe Framework.  

3. Call off of services for installation and support of Cradle point routers via the vehicle maintenance agreement with Babcock Ltd.   

1. Introduction and background  

1. Since the adoption of In-Vehicle Mobile Applications (IVMA) in 2016 all vehicles have been fitted with the CradlePoint IBR-1100 for all IVMA communications. The current IBR-1100 is a dual-sim 4G compatible device that allows communications over both EE as the primary carrier and Vodafone as a contingency secondary carrier. 

2. The current device has been an excellent choice during its service with minimal hardware failures and swap outs offering a reliable communication stream and pinpoint accuracy with GPS. However, supporting and patching the device has been more of a challenge, and the devices are being made end of life in 2023.  

3. To maintain efficiency and effectiveness the routers need to undergo a refresh. 

2. Issues for consideration  

1. The continued use of older devices will have a negative impact upon Officers and staff as they break more frequently, and no support will be available, leading to more disruption for users and risk of being unable to access critical information when needed. 

3. Financial Comments  

1. The anticipated cost to deliver this project is £1,700k in 2023/24 fully funded from the MOPAC Approved Digital Policing (DP) Capital Budget. 

4. Legal Comments  

1. The Mayor’s Officer for Policing Crime 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 (inclusive of VAT) or above will be procured in accordance with the Regulations.  

2. In compliance with the terms of the Health Trust Europe (HTE) Framework and Public Contract Regulations (2015), the MPS can compliantly direct award a contract to a single Value Added Reseller (VAR) or request HTE to conduct a mini competition.   

3. The MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent provides the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (“DMPC”) has delegated authority to approve business cases for revenue or capital expenditure of £500,000 and above (paragraph 4.8). 

4. Paragraph 4.13 of the Scheme provides the DMPC has delegated authority to approve the procurement strategy for all revenue and capital contracts of a total value of £500,000 or above. 

5. 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. 

5. Commercial Issues  

1. Cradle point Routers are manufactured by CradlePoint who supply via distribution channels including Westbase or Value Added Resellers (VAR). Panasonic can supply routers via VAR or third party such as Capgemini.    

2. The MPS has access to Capgemini as an “agent”, via the VAR Contract with CDW and the Health Trust Europe Framework. In compliance with the terms of the Framework and Public Contract Regulations (2015), the MPS can direct award to a single VAR or request HTE to conduct a mini competition.  Market engagement and indicative quotations provided by CDW were uncompetitive. Panasonic were more cost effective.  

3. It is recommended a dual approach is adopted, requesting a Capgemini quote (Capgemini were awarded the Pegasus contract to be the main SIAM tower support integrator and have been used by Personal Issue within DDaT Service Delivery to supply tablets and hardware in the past) and a mini competition amongst the VAR on the HTE Framework to maximise the opportunity to leverage its brand and volume for additional discounts and achieve best value 

4. The proposal contributes to delivering the London Anchor Institutions’ Charter  through old devices being digitally sanitised in line with MPS security procedures and then repurposed through approved routes, such as the London Office of Technology and Innovation, to improve digital inclusion across London. 

6. GDPR and Data Privacy  

1. The MPS is subject to the requirements and conditions placed on it as a 'State' body to comply with the European Convention of Human Rights and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. Both legislative requirements place an obligation on the MPS to process personal data fairly and lawfully in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals. 

2. Under Article 35 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Section 57 of the DPA 2018, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) become mandatory for organisations with technologies and processes that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights of the data subjects. 

3. The Information Assurance and Information Rights units within MPS will be consulted at all stages to ensure the programme meets its compliance requirements. 

4. The programme does not use personally identifiable data of members of the public, so there are no GDPR issues to be considered. 

7. Equality Comments  

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

2. The MPS’ existing Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessibility features will continue to function with the refreshed devices and the project will ensure AT and Accessibility tools are working for individuals as part of the refresh. 

8. Background/supporting papers 

1. Report