To agree that the Ice Prediction Contract be renewed and a direct award made to the existing provider, Vaisala, without the need to undertake a procurement exercise to offer to the wider market on the basis that:

Suppliers in this area are limited and the existing infrastructure used to provide the service are bespoke to Vaisala.

That:

(a)       A waiver of the councils contract procedure rules is sought and the Ice Prediction service contract with Vaisala is entered into  for a period of three years plus 1 plus 1, potential total of 5 years.

1.         A procurement exercise is undertaken to review the market capability to provide a similar service. This option is discounted as the existing infrastructure used to predict weather for winter decision making is provided and maintained by Vaisala. Another provider would not have the capability to utilise the equipment or provide the forecast data utilising the raw weather data from the Met Office and therefore require the need to replace the current infrastructure which would present significant additional costs for the authority.

2.         Not to enter into the contract. This is discounted as the ice prediction service, which provides actual data as to the condition of the network via 7 weather stations across the county, is integral to how the council delivers the service as set out in the Winter Service Plan 2018/23.