FFW advises on major £250 million IT project
21 November 2005
Field Fisher Waterhouse advised the National Probation Service
(NPS) in relation to a contract worth £250 million over the next
ten years.
The contract, for IT infrastructure, was awarded to the IT
services company Steria Ltd. Known as the Offender Management
National Infrastructure (OMNI) contract, it will commence from 1
January 2006 for an initial term of six and a half years, although
it may last up to ten years. FFW built a strong relationship
with the NPS and their commercial and project management advisers,
PA Consulting Group, which resulted in a strong commercial
team.
Information and Communications Technology is currently being
provided to the National Probation Service by Steria under a
contract known as the STEPS1. This contract has been underway for
four years and will terminate on the 31 December 2005. The OMNI
contract will replace and enhance the STEPS1 contract, providing
improved services at a lower level of cost.
FFW technology partner Andy Lucas advised the National Probation
Service on the OMNI contract, assisted by Andrew Withers and
trainees Andrew Massey and Dee Miller.
Andy Lucas said: “The signing was the culmination of over two
years of work. This is a major contract for the National Probation
Service because it will allow for the more integrated management of
offenders as they pass through the criminal justice system, in
particular as they move from prison to probation. The OMNI contract
is also significant for FFW as it demonstrates that we are at the
forefront of public sector IT legal advice.”
For further information please contact either
Ben Girdlestone Communications Manager, on +44 (0)20 7861
4968 or
Louise Eckersley PR Executive, on +44 (0)20 7861 4120