Five suppliers have been chosen to deliver the IT systems for the National Identity Scheme (NIS) project.
The Home Office announced that CSC, EDS, Fujitsu, IBM and Thales have
all been invited to sign framework contracts and form a Strategic
Supplier Group for the scheme. All five will compete to win specific
contracts for the various multi-million pound projects involved in the
ID card scheme.
Bill Crothers, executive director at Identity and Passport Service
(IPS) said: "I am very proud of what has been achieved. This contract
is both innovative and protective of the public purse and all five
suppliers have agreed to provide a cooperative working environment." Of the original shortlist of eight suppliers for the scheme
Steria,
Bae systems and
Accenture dropped out of bidding earlier
this year because of concerns over the commercial viability of the scheme.
Eric Woods, government practice director at
Ovum, said the IPS didn't have much choice in
keeping all five suppliers on board.
"Although it may have looked better if they had narrowed it, the spectre of
looming acquisitions of some of the suppliers meant it made sense to keep all of
the options open - three bidders have already pulled out," he said.
By using a Strategic Supplier Group, IPS will be able to carry out
shorter procurement processes, meaning contracts for services can be
issued more quickly and easily.
The first competition will be to identify which supplier will support the delivery of identity cards for airside workers.
Starting in November this year compulsory identity cards will be introduced for foreign nationals. From late 2009 cards will be rolled out to "those employed in sensitive
roles or locations" where identity assurance is important to public
protection, such as airside workers. From 2010 identity cards will be available on a voluntary basis to
young people to assist them in proving their identity as they start out
on their independent life in society.
Sources:http://InterGovWorld.com, http://www.vnunet.com