On Thursday 21 October 2021, the i-CITY team that designed the 'SOC' public contract for IT security services was awarded the prize for "Best public contract in the Brussels region, mutualisation category".
What was the SOC procurement?
SOC is the acronym for 'Security Operation Center'. The aim of the contract was to enable local authorities to equip themselves with an efficient IT security service to deal with the growing challenges of cyber security. This was done while taking into account their specific needs linked to the size of their organisation. I-CITY therefore created a very special purchasing centre where price was not the main award criterion and where each Beneficiary Contracting Authority (54 in total) could benefit from an almost 'à la carte' service, with fixed-price lots and a token system that offered a certain flexibility in access to certain services. Each PAB could therefore customise part of the IT services provided.
The SOC market, an unusual project?
Yes, and in more ways than one. It is a major contract worth 250 million euros, spread over 7 years. It required more than a year's work and the combination of many internal and external skills.
It is also a 'central' contract, which differs from more traditional 'inventory' contracts. Price and quantity are not the predominant criteria. The complexity of IT issues goes far beyond these two aspects. Given the real threats to cyber security, a more nuanced and flexible approach was needed. We are therefore particularly pleased that the jury of the Cabuy Prize has commended our approach!
What is the Cabuy Prize?
The prize is awarded by the Brussels Regional Public Service. It rewards initiatives taken with a view to designing, developing or guaranteeing the professionalisation of the awarding and monitoring of public contracts. It is named after Yves Cabuy, former Director of Brussels Local Authorities, who worked for the professionalisation of local public procurement.