VAR sought for pan-London anti-fraud system

London public sector bodies on the hunt for up to five suppliers for new IT system

Public sector bodies across London are teaming up to hunt for an IT supplier to help them create a pan-London anti-fraud IT system based on data analytics.

According to a recently published tender document, the London Borough of Ealing is leading the search for a supplier to put together the system as part of a deal, which will be worth between £5m and £20m over a nine-year period.

The project will see the supplier develop a "data analytics and investigation hub" which will be used by public bodies across the capital. All 23 London local authorities will have access to the system, as well as the City of London Corporation and the G15 Housing Association. Other housing bodies and non-London local councils could also be welcomed onto the scheme in the future.

According to the document: "The successful provider will carry out services related to the operational running of the hub in line with the specification, including the supply and management of all related technology. The contracting authority will take responsibility for strategic direction setting, governance and contract management only. The overarching objectives of the hub are to increase both fraud detection and fraud prevention."

About five suppliers will be considered at first, before a final one is decided upon, according to the tender. The document explained how the hub will help prevent fraud.

"Using advanced analytics, the hub will produce information to detect and prevent fraud, for example; identify cases, and produce risk profiles, etcetera. It will also process enquiries received from the participating authorities' fraud investigators and screen applications."

Data from sources such as elections, revenues, housing benefits, housing and parking will be used as part of the hub.