SOCA signs £157 million outsourcing deal

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The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has awarded a Logica-led consortium a £157 million outsourcing contract.

The deal means the i2d group, which also includes QinetiQ, Detica and Cable & Wireless, will manage SOCA’s ICT services.

As part of the 10- year agreement, i2d has plans in place to provide a platform for more efficient collaboration and better use of data.

Data centre consolidation is also in the pipeline to gain greater efficiencies.

“This contract secures an efficient and sustainable IT platform which will enable us to modernise and enhance our technological capabilities in fighting crime and improve the effectiveness of UK law enforcement in dislocating criminal markets,” said Trevor Pearce, director general of SOCA.

“This is a fantastic win and clearly shows how we can use our expertise in deploying technology to help the Government deliver mission critical services while saving money in the process,” added Craig Boundy, Logica chief executive (CEO).

The move has come as part of the Government’s wide-ranging cost-cutting initiatives as the Coalition looks to cut the UK’s deficit.

Smarter use of technology was one of the proposals outlined by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in last year’s spending review.

Osborne pledged £900 million to go on better IT use within HM Revenue and Customs alone, in order to help in the fight against tax evaders and fraudsters.

A recent report from Ovum suggested the Government will up use of cloud computing and business process outsourcing as it looks to bring IT costs down.

The agreement has also hinted SOCA, which helps tackle cyber crime amongst other offences, will be around for a some time to come.

Last year, reports hinted the body could have been swallowed up by a new organisation called the National Crime Agency.

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