Specialist cryptocurrency training for UK police forces and other law enforcement and public sector bodies on behalf of the NPCC Cybercrime Programme

Location

Across the United Kingdom

Description

The provision of a specialist cryptocurrency training, including licenses for online access to the bespoke advanced Investigating Cryptocurrencies training as well as associated support services.

Total Quantity or Scope

An extension of the contract for the supply of specialist cryptocurrency training, including the licenses for an online access to the bespoke Foundation and Advanced Investigating Cryptocurrencies training provision and associated support services. The exisiting contract to deliver the foundation courses was awarded in January 2022 and funded via a grant under the Home Office's Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) fund. The contract falls under Schedule 3 services of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (light touch regime). The value of the contract is £547,413 thus under the FTS threshold. The supplier was chosen as they were able to deliver the specific courses through a self-paced distance learning model whilst possessing the specific expertise in the field required by the programme and able to deliver the courses on time in the short timescale as was required by the grant. An additional Home Office grant funding, 'top slice' funding under the ARIS fund, became available at a short notice at the end of March 2022 (on 18th March 2022), the grant having to be committed by 31st March 2022, the value being £270,000. As a result, there was insufficient time to run a compliant procurement process. The extension and increase in contract value will bring the total contract value to £817,413 thus over the procurement threshold for Schedule 3 services. A decision was thus made to extend the existing contract under urgency in line with Regulation 72(1)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 80500000 - Training services

Legal Justification

Justification: The need for modification has been brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority could not have foreseen, thus was considered in line with Regulation 72(1)(c). The authority considered refusing the grant, however, it believes it is in the public interest to modify the contract given the nature of the services. Moreover, the supplier is the only supplier who can provide the specific training required by the programme at such a short notice.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** Justification of an award of contract extension: The extension is awarded in line with Regulation 72(1)(c) of the Procurement Contract Regulations 2015 as a result of an unforeseen urgency in regard to extending the contract due to the additional grant funding having become available and the requirement to commit the funds by 31st March 2022 , as well as Regulation there is insufficient time to observe a standstill period of 10 days following the publishing of the notice, therefore the extension and modification of the contract will take place immediately. This notice is being published as the new total contract value will be over the procurement threshold applicable to Schedule 3 services under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the authority chose to publish this notice for transparency.