Atos Origin and CapGemini come to understanding with Cabinet Office

Two IT suppliers say they will work with the government to enable collaborative procurement

Cabinet Office signs agreements with key suppliers

Atos Origin and CapGemini, two of the 19 IT suppliers approached by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude in July to help the government deliver efficiency savings, have both released Memorandums of Understanding with government regarding their respective relationships with the public sector.

A release from Atos Origin says that the agreement marks the start of a new ‘single client’ approach to engagement with central UK government in which there will be considerable focus on collaborative procurement.

However, a spokesman for Atos Origin said that all the original contracts signed with government would continue as normal following a period that saw them placed on hold while the negotiations took place.

Cap Gemini has also released a Memorandum of Understanding with government. Again, all existing contracts with remain and continue to be delivered as planned.

One spokesperson from Capgemini said there are new proposals in the offing " but unfortunately we have had our hands behind our back and are unable to give details of them.”

Pierre-Yves Cros, Capgemini’s UK Country Board Chairman said: “Capgemini has responded to the request to help government meet their short term challenge [of creating cost savings] and have put forward cross-governmental solutions to achieve an efficient joined-up government."

The Cabinet Office was unavailable for comment.