(Home Office) Contracts bring ID cards and more secure passports closer

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) 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.

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; and
* 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; and

* 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.

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 ten 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."

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.