§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which companies are bidding to supply IT services to the Inland Revenue when present contracts expire in 2004; what effects on the continuity of the business, if any, would ensure from a change of supplier; and whether this will be a factor in the competition. [HL5515]
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§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe shortlist of bidders who are likely to be invited to tender is BT plc, Cap Gemini, Ernst & Young, EDS/Accenture Alliance.
The Inland Revenue is developing plans to mitigate the risk to the continuity of services should there be a change of suppliers when the current contracts expire in 2004. This includes having agreed exit strategies with the current suppliers, EDS and Accenture. The Inland Revenue will also expect bidders to be able to demonstrate that they are capable of managing a transition on this scale and to include detailed transition plans in their response to the invitation to tender.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any of the suppliers of IT services to the Inland Revenue are affected by corporate problems with their business partners in the United States. [HL5516]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Inland Revenue has examined the contractual arrangements between EDS, Worldcom and the UK-based third party supplier and are fully satisfied that there is no threat to the data network service provision and that any default by Worldcom is fully covered by EDS.