Wow
7 front line police officers for £150,000, now that is a deal. If this guy thinks that's how much a police officer costs, then that might explain his idea of a good deal. I reckon at that price my Village might want it's own Police force, £200 a household, bargin.
His statement indicates that this is a margin deal, probably based on a catalogue. I'll bet though it has no scope for large deal discounts, and probably undermines turnkey solution deals as well.
I can't see how SCC has any incentive to seek the best deal from the suppliers, open book just means they can see how much you buy for, and how much you sell for, and the overall costs of sale and margin.