The ECHO2 Programme: Network Integration Services Procurement

The contracting authority on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and the British Council (BC) (collectively the 'Partners' or 'Customers') have awarded a framework agreement to Fujitsu Services Limited for the provision of Network Integration Services (the 'Services') (The British Council Call Off Contract).

The Authority's ECHO2 programme was impacted by various external factors beyond its control including hardware failures and chip shortages as a result of the COVID global production delays, resourcing and solution complexity due to network estate considerations which led to a delay in the design, build and test phase. These external factors resulted in a delay to completion of the originally planned ECHO2 programme and necessitated that an extension to the implementation phase be exercised to successfully complete the programme.

The modification does not alter the overall nature of the call-off contract nor does it increase the value of the original call-off contract.