PCD 1754 MPS MSAB Software Licences

MSAB software licenses are required to operate Level 1 Digital Forensic self-service kiosks, which enable police officers to access rapid digital forensic results relating to data extraction from mobile devices and are a critical to the success of the Forensics Services Strategy 2023-25  as well as the implementation of Remote Search and Review across the MPS.  

To ensure continuity of Level 1 Digital Forensic Services, the Authority needs to re-procure the software required to operate the Level 1 kiosks. 

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to: 

1. Approve the award of a contract to Micro Systemics Ltd, trading as MSAB for digital forensic software licensing, with a contract term of 1+1 years and an overall contract value of £2m.  

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

1. Introduction and background 

1. MSAB software licences are required to operate Level 1 Digital Forensic self-service kiosks, which enable police officers to access rapid digital forensic results relating to data extraction from mobile devices. They are a critical tool to the success of the Forensics Services Strategy 2023/25 and the implementation of Remote Search and Review across the MPS, including:  

• Fixing our foundations - setting the Met up to succeed by: 

• Expanding capabilities to provide more access to forensic services at the point of need; and  

• Implementing technology enablers to provide faster access to forensic results for policing;  

• Achieving operational and continuous improvement objectives, including:  

• Enabling increased use of Level 1 device downloads at the frontline; and  

• Achieving the extension to scope of accreditation for MO4 Forensic Science Activities / Statutory Code, where MO4 are seeking to be the first forensic unit in the UK to obtain accreditation for digital forensic self-service kiosks.  

2. To ensure continuity of Level 1 digital forensic services the Authority needs to re-procure the software required to operate the Level 1 kiosks.  

2. Issues for consideration 

1. This information is contained in the restricted section of the report.  

3. Financial Comments 

1. The scope of the required contract is BAU and is already fully budgeted for within the budget holder’s revenue budget. 

2. Any cashable savings achieved shall be verified by the team. 

3. Commercial and Procurement  

4. Commercial Services ran the procurement and developed the contract to comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and effectively manage commercial risk.  

2. Full financial and commercial, and procurement comments are contained within the accompanying Part 2 paper.  

5. Legal Comments 

1. All awards of public contracts for goods and/or services valued at £214,904 or  

above shall be procured in accordance with the Regulations.  

2. The MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent provides the Deputy Mayor for Policing and   

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

4. 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); and  

5. Contract exemptions valued at £100,000 or above (paragraph 4.13).  

6. The required contract shall be procured in accordance with the Regulations, and contractual documentation required to complete the procurement shall be developed reviewed by Legal Services.  

7. Full legal comments are contained within the accompanying Part 2 paper.  

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 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. No personal information will be processed by the supplier on behalf of MOPAC under the required contract. The MPS assures that the Information Assurance and Information Rights Units within MPS will be consulted when necessary to ensure the contract meets its compliance requirements, and complies with the DPIA relating to Digital Data Extractions (Reference 01/DPA/23/003833).  

7. Equality Comments   

1. MOPAC is required to comply with the public sector equality duty set out in section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010. This requires MOPAC to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations by reference to people with protected characteristics. The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

2. There are no equality implications relating to this requirement. 

1. Background/supporting papers 

None, other than BJP.