Forestry Commission signs PSN-compliant deal

The Forestry Commission has signed a £1.3m ICT framework agreement which will enable it to comply with Public Services Network (PSN) standards. The non-ministerial department said that the four-year contract with PSN-compliant supplier, Level 3, will deliver a wide area network, telephony, videoconferencing and professional services support. Included in the deal is a centralised management hub, intended to ensure compliance and security. The contract was purchased through the Government Procurement Service's managed telecommunications convergence framework. Suppliers to the framework are Framework suppliers are: Level 3, Siemens Enterprise Communications and Virgin Media Business. Savings are expected to be £0.7m against the commission's existing contract with Global Crossing, now Level 3, which ended on 30 June. David Felstead, director of information services at the Forestry Commission, said: "We have worked with Level 3 for years and know the calibre of their work. "After a period of supplier evaluations, it became clear to us that they were the best supplier to help us future-proof our organisation, ensuring we can adapt to the evolving requirements of our workforce, whilst achieving significant operational and cost efficiencies" This article is published by Guardian Professional . Join the Guardian Government Computing Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.