The Scottish Government has appointed eight firms to a £3m framework to provide network advice and support services to public bodies.

Last year, Capita has signed the main contract to deliver a Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) after fending off a legal challenge to the awarding of the contract by rival bidder BT.

And today, an associated framework contract for network enablement services was let, making vendor-neutral network advice available to public sector bodies, including local authorities.

The award notice said the framework “will provide a structured approach for Scottish public sector organisations in terms of assessing current network services, identifying ways to drive better value and ultimately providing what is required to procure and implement new network services.

“It will also provide organisations with support, solutions and recommendations to enable them to develop and improve their network services and support with migration to SWAN for those connecting to that network.”

The successful firms are Capita Business Services, Deloitte, Farrpoint, Hutchinson Networks, Imtech Traffic and Infra UK, PTS Consulting, SCC and The Networking People.

The framework includes services including technical architecture, scoping, technical specifications, network audits and recommending solutions.

The firms selected were whittled down from 12 bids, according to the Scottish Government.