Scope project suppliers shortlisted

The government has shortlisted suppliers for the top-secret Scope project to share intelligence data between security agencies, Computing can reveal.

The project is being run by the Cabinet Office Intelligence and Security Secretariat.

Once the system is live it will pull together information held by nine different branches of government, including the Home Office, the Foreign Office, MI5 and MI6 (see Computing 29 May).

Suppliers on the shortlist include Fujitsu Services, BT Syntegra, EDS, IBM and LogicaCMG.

Sources close to the negotiations expect some rival bidders to join forces over the coming months, prior to the next stage of the procurement process.

Shortlisted firms are currently working on their responses to the government's detailed tender document. Submissions from suppliers on how they would deliver the requirements are due in November.

The contract is expected to be worth between £50 and £100 million and is due to be signed in the summer.

Because of its sensitive nature the project was not publicly advertised. All potential suppliers were invited to an initial briefing in May, and those wishing to pursue the deal further were required to sign a secrecy agreement.