The Scottish Parliament has signed a contract with LogicaCMG UK Ltd, which will provide its information technology support services. The contract, which was approved by the Parliament’s Corporate Body, covers core services including IT security, network support, systems installation and maintenance. The new deal also has the potential to deliver future IT projects, such as updating technology.

The new deal will include IT services that support business at constituency and regional office level as well as giving the Parliament access to a range of services to meet its future needs. The Parliament’s Chief Executive, Paul Grice, said “The new contract represents a cost saving of some 35 percent for the provision of the Parliament’s core IT support services when compared to the current arrangement and underscores the Parliament’s commitment to use public funds as cost effectively as possible.”

The company will begin working with the Parliament from January 2008. The deal, which is for an initial five years, is worth an estimated 1.75 million pounds a year, which will be met from existing budgets. Of the total, 1.1 million pounds will cover core services and the remainder will cover the estimated costs of specialist IT projects.

The contract includes an option to extend on a yearly basis for an additional five years. The agreement follows a comprehensive and competitive tender process in line with Scottish public contract regulations. A total of 32 suppliers registered an interest in the contract.

LogicaCMG is a British-Dutch company with a strong base in Scotland, including offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.