Cisco Hardware Technology Refresh contract information

FOI reference: FOI-2024-2156

You asked

I would like to make an FOI request for information relating to the following contract award: Cisco Hardware Technology Refresh

Please can you provide a breakdown of the items included in this contract?

For each item, could you provide the following information, preferably in a CSV or Excel file:

1. Product Name

2. Product Brand

3. EAN number (where applicable)

4. SKU number (where applicable)

5. Manufacturer name

6. Part Number

7. Requested Quantity

8. Price per item

We said

Thank you for your request. 

Please see the associated spreadsheet, containing the answers to your questions, with the exception of price per item information.  

Price per item information for the Cisco Hardware Technology Refresh contract is exempt under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), as disclosure of this information would prejudice the commercial interests of Specialist Computer Centres plc (the supplier of the product).  

Price per item information can be determine the supplier’s additional associated charges, such as management fees and margins. This would prejudice their chances of success at any future procurement, as competitors could repeat the same business model and reduce the price of the service to secure a win. Equally, they could offer an enhanced service for the same price to achieve the same result. 

Disclosure would also likely commercially prejudice the ONS. We would face disadvantage at future tendering exercises with Specialist Computer Centres plc and other companies, as putting them at risk of commercial prejudice would leave them unwilling to work with us in the future. For similar reasons, our existing commercial relationships would also likely be prejudiced. 

This exemption is subject to a public interest test. Whilst we recognise the desirability of information being freely available, we must acknowledge the importance of maintaining the trust and customer confidence of the companies with whom we work. Damage to this trust would impact our own capability to compete and negotiate in a commercial environment. This would lead to a reduction in the choice of quality services offered and also a reduction in competitive incentive amongst suppliers to offer us a good price. This would be detrimental to the preservation of public funds and the quality of service received by members of the public. Therefore, this hinderance to our capability to compete effectively in a commercial environment would directly and negatively impact the public interest. On balance, the public interest falls in favour of withholding this information.