ENCTS supplier procurement (EUCLID LTD)

Tender description

Bedford Borough Council (BBC) has historically sourced its ITSO Host Operating Processing System (HOPS) through ACT and both Card Management System (CMS) and smart passes through Novacroft. Recently, market news is that Novacroft have lost a large contract, hence lost a lot of turnover generated through ITSO work, therefore the cost of maintaining certification is no longer viable. They have served notice on all their remaining ITSO customers that they are leaving the market on 31st March 2023. This has placed BBC in a position whereby they need set up new supply lines. The time for a full transition is tight, especially with other councils also seeking to do the same in a similar timeframe. The urgency has been further exacerbated with the recent declaration from the Electoral Commission that voting in UK will only be possible when backed by a suitable identification means and that the ENCTS pass has been cited as such. It is expected that certainly in the Age related sphere, pass applications will consequently increase which will lead to pressure on councils to ensure prompt response.