What is the Biometrics Framework Contract?

To meet Ministers' commitment to introduce biometrics for all visa applicants before they travel to the UK, UKvisas (a body set up jointly by the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) has set up Framework agreements with:

• Steria (UK) Ltd for the supply of Biometric Recording Equipment, Verification Equipment and Hardware Maintenance, and
• Cogent, Inc for the supply of software and consultancy services.

These Biometrics Frameworks are open to all UK government departments, and will speed up and simplify the procurement process.

Government departments wishing to make use of the Framework agreements should contact UKvisas. They will be informed on how to log in to the Framework sites and how to operate the processes.

Benefits

Among the benefits to UK government customers are:

• Prices are competitive and cost-effective,
• Procurement processes comply with the UK legal requirements for government purchasing,
• Terms and Conditions have been previously established,
• Timely product delivery,
• There is an extensive catalogue of products, which can be augmented and modified,
• Users of the Framework do not have to go through the normal competitive tender procurement procedures, but simply order directly from the Catalogue.

In order to make use of the Biometric Frameworks users are required to sign an Authority Party¹ Access Agreement. This can either be found under Downloads or obtained from the UKvisas' Contract Manager.

¹ Authority Party means any United Kingdom government department and/or their related body and/or any service providers acting on their behalf.