19 October 2007

IPS shortlists eight for UK ID cards and passports

Ian Grant, Computer Weekly

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has shortlisted eight suppliers from which five will be chosen in May 2008 to enter a framework agreement to supply systems for the government's National Identity Scheme.

The eight are: Accenture, BAE Systems, Computer Sciences Corporation, EDS, Fujitsu, IBM, Steria, and Thales. IPS earlier received 11 responses to its invitation to tender.

Bill Crothers, IPS commercial director, said, "The announcement today of the shortlist of eight bidders represents another important milestone towards delivering the National Identity Scheme.

"We now have a solid core of eight 'prime bidders' who will go forward to the next stage of the procurement process. Of course involvement in the procurement process is not restricted to just the eight companies we have announced today. Each prime bidder has their own network of sub-contractors."

EDS is in dispute with HM Revenue & Excise over unpaid compensation. A Home Office spokesman said there is still a long way to go before the final five suppliers are chosen.

This article first appeared on the web-site of Computer Weekly, at http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2007/10/19/227589/ips-shortlists-eight-for-e-id-cards-e-passports.htm. © Reed Business Information 2007.

Home Office to roll out biometric technology to UK borders (31 July 2007)

LSE calls for review of ID cards as costs keep rising (18 May 2007)

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