Microsoft licensed products to provide essential whole council ICT infrastructure management, customer management capabilities, cyber security, information management tooling and employee productivity services. Microsoft do not engage with customers directly - licensing is bought through a Licensing Solution Partner (LSP).

Procured via the ICT Solutions 3 - HealthTrust Europe framework agreement, using the direct award call‑off process. The framework permits contracting authorities to make a direct award where the framework terms are sufficiently precise and where the award decision can be objectively justified in line with the authority's specific requirements. The direct award approach is considered proportionate to the urgency and timing of the requirement. The Council is not seeking to significantly extend the scope or duration of its Microsoft licensing arrangements beyond what is already contractually committed to at this time.