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7 April 2009
ID cards and enhanced passports will be introduced under new contracts announced today.
The award of contracts for core elements of the National Identity Service and the modernisation of the passport application process brings large scale deployment of ID cards a step closer.
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) (new window) is replacing and upgrading its contracts for processing passport applications, which are due to expire in 2009 and 2010, and creating a new secure database for storing the facial and fingerprint images.
Together they will support the introduction of ID cards and allow for vital improvements to the next generation of biometric passports.
Statement from the Home Secretary
Jacqui Smith said, 'These contracts bring ID cards and more secure British passports a step closer, taking advantage of the best technology available to bring real benefits.
'ID cards and passports with fingerprint and facial biometrics will provide a safe and secure way of protecting personal details and proving identity.
'Our passport is already respected across the world as a Gold Standard for travel documents - these improvements will further help protect our borders.'
After a lengthy procurement process, which started with 50 prospective bidders companies in September 2007, CSC has been awarded the £385 million contract to upgrade IPS’ application and enrolment system which will provide:
- a new system for processing applications for both passports and ID cards
- the ability for customers to apply online
- improved background checking for applications
- new systems to report lost and stolen passports and ID cards
- support for customers updating their personal data
- new IT and telephony systems for IPS.
IBM was awarded a £265 million contract to continue existing UKBA fingerprinting capabilities and to build and run the database that will store the facial images and fingerprints that are needed to keep the passport in line with international standard, as well as to support the delivery of the ID card. It will provide:
- a database to store the fingerprint and facial biometrics of applicants for passports and ID cards
- a replacement for the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System (IAFS) which holds biometrics collected from visa applicants.
IPS has used best practice from across the public and private sector to ensure these contracts successfully deliver on time and on budget. It has worked to build strong relationships with all the suppliers incorporating rewards for success and disincentives for failure to help deliver the behaviours which will result in the contracts being delivered effectively.
After an initial selection process in May 2008 five potential suppliers were selected to join the IPS framework agreement and bid for contracts. Over the last nine months more than 250 face-to-face meetings with the suppliers allowed IPS to assess each supplier before awarding the contracts.
Statement from the Identity and Passport Service
James Hall, chief executive of the Identity and Passport Service, said, 'The British passport is already one of the most secure in the world and it is vital we maintain that strength by moving with the rest of the international community.
'That is why as we replace expiring contracts we are introducing fingerprint and facial biometric technology to the passport. At the same time we are upgrading our application process to improve the service our customers receive. Both contracts will also help deliver the ID cards programme.
'IBM and CSC have shown they are superbly placed to deliver these large projects and we are delighted they are working with us.'
The next generation of passport containing chips with facial images and fingerprints will start to be issued from 2011, at which point customers will get the choice of applying for an ID card as well.
During the next 10 years the cost of running IPS and upgrading the British passport is £3.595bn, with an expected spend of £1.190bn for delivering ID cards.
Nick Wilson, President and CEO for CSC's UK operations, said, 'CSC is pleased to be appointed by the UK government to provide services and expertise for this major programme. We look forward to applying our extensive global experience in identity management and critical programmes of this nature, and building on our track record of success in supporting citizen-centric services for governments worldwide.'
Statement from IBM Global Business Services
John Granger, General Manager, IBM Global Business Services, said, 'IBM is pleased to have been selected as the preferred bidder for the National Biometric Identity Service (NBIS) and is working with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) to finalise the contract to signature.
'NBIS is a substantial and sophisticated system and we are pleased that our designs and plans for its implementation have been recognised by this decision.
'We look forward to supporting the IPS to deliver this significant programme and expect it to extend and enhance our existing relationship both with the IPS and the UK Border Agency.'
Foreign nationals are already being issued with ID cards and from the autumn staff working airside at Manchester and London City airports will be issued with cards as part of an 18-month evaluation period.
A limited number of British citizens who want to volunteer for an ID card can do so in the autumn, ahead of wider roll-out to young people in 2010.
Notes to editors
These contracts form part of the wider National Identity Service which by the latest estimates will cost £4.7bn over ten years to deliver. Approximately £3.595bn of this cost will be used to run IPS and deliver upgraded biometric passports, the remainder (£1.190bn) will deliver ID cards. The latest cost report can be found on the Identity & Passport Service (new window) website.
The contract for a new Application and Enrolment system has been awarded to CSC, replacing a number of existing contracts with Siemens, ATOS, Sagem and others.
The contract for the biometric database to support next generation passports and ID cards has been awarded to IBM.
IPS will issue two further contracts this year:
- Card Design and Production — to develop and produce the physical Identity Cards required for the implementation of the Scheme. Fujitsu, IBM and Thales UK are bidding for the contract which will be issued in the autumn
- Passport Design and Production — to develop and produce Passports, replacing existing arrangements when they expire. 3M SPL, De La Rue, Gemalto and Thales UK are bidding for the contract which will be issued in summer.
In August 2008 Thales UK were awarded the £18 million three year contract to deliver the first ID cards to airside workers and volunteers starting in autumn this year.
These procurements are being conducted using the 'Strategic Supplier Group' framework awarded in June 2008. This framework is with CSC, EDS, Fujitsu, IBM and Thales UK. A framework allows IPS to conduct procurements against an agreed core set of terms and conditions and allows contracts to be procured more efficiently than by separate procurements advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
More information about the National Identity Service can be found on the Identity & Passport Service (new window) website.
The National Identity Service will be delivered during the next three years:
- from 25 November 2008 UKBA began issuing compulsory identity cards to foreign nationals who come here to work or study
- from Autumn 2009 we will start issuing mandatory identity cards for airside workers - starting with an 18 month evaluation at Manchester and London City airports
- in late 2009 we will offer a small number of volunteers the chance to enrol for the first identity cards
- from 2010, starting with young people, we will begin offering identity cards on a voluntary basis to anyone who will benefit from them in their daily lives; and
- from 2011-12 identity cards will roll out to the wider population on an entirely voluntary basis.
Supplier profiles
CSC
CSC is a global leader in providing technology-enabled business solutions and services and has a long and successful track record in delivering complex, large-scale programmes which support the highest levels of availability, security and systems performance.
We provide innovative solutions by applying leading technologies and CSC’s own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration, IT and business process outsourcing, applications software development, Web and application hosting, and management and technology consulting.
The CSC-led consortium for the National Identity Service brings together organisations with an unmatched track record in delivering technology-enabled business solutions and services, including specialist expertise in delivering identity management and value-added services to government.
We are committed to delivering IT that brings innovation and efficiency to public service provision and cost-effective, citizen-centric services.
CSC's history of public sector innovation and efficiency is extensive. For example, in 1995 we deployed the world's first internet-enabled tax system in Denmark; a service still considered to be amongst the most innovative in use today.
Since 2007 we have also successfully developed, and currently support, an international biometric visa applications service for the UK Border Agency.
More information on CSC and our capabilities in the public sector (new window) is available on the CSC website.
IBM
For more information see the IBM Easy Access: Public Sector UK website (new window).
