"The department said the procurements could cover support, development, and ongoing modernization of SCBP after it shifted much of the platform to "more modern and widely adopted technology stacks." It said this could allow a broader range of suppliers to undertake support and development work, and split up the work ("potential disaggregation"), according to a preliminary market engagement notice."
"The notice quotes a total estimated value for the contracts of £296 million including VAT over up to 11 years from October 2027, although it adds that this is based on current annual charges - suggesting these are around £27 million - and should be seen as indicative. The Home Office is holding an event with TechUK on May 15 to start the discussion, with participants required to sign a non-disclosure agreement first."
"SCBP is part of the long-running Home Office Biometrics (HOB) program to bring together the government's collections of fingerprints, DNA profiles, and facial images. SCBP provides the core components of the Immigration and Asylum Biometrics System (IABS) used for passports, immigration and borders, and the corresponding Ident1 service used by law enforcement."
"The department's most recent assessment of the HOB program in December 2024 referred to a cost increase of £47.8 million, including £34 million of this covering Ident1 modernization "to deal with urgent obsolescence issues and security vulnerabilities" and £4.4 million for an upgrade to support Livescan, through which police officers collect fingerprints and facial images following arrests."
The UK Home Office is seeking supplier input on two potential procurements for the Strategic Central and Bureau Platform (SCBP), a core biometrics system worth up to £300 million. The procurements may cover support, development, and ongoing modernization after SCBP was shifted to more modern, widely adopted technology stacks. The approach could broaden the range of suppliers able to deliver work and allow potential disaggregation of responsibilities. A preliminary market engagement notice estimates contract value at £296 million including VAT over up to 11 years from October 2027, based on current annual charges and treated as indicative. An event with TechUK is planned for May 15, with participants required to sign a non-disclosure agreement first. SCBP supports the Immigration and Asylum Biometrics System and Ident1 used by law enforcement.
#uk-home-office #biometrics-systems #government-procurement #scbp #immigration-and-asylum-technology
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