Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what due diligence his Department undertook in relation to the renewal of the CMS2012 contract with Tata Consultancy Services in August 2024, including consideration of relevant legal proceedings involving that company; and what assessment was made of the potential impact of this on the Child Maintenance Service.

This contract was procured following a Further Competition using Framework RM6263 “Digital Specialists and Programmes – Lot 1: Digital Programmes” under Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The Invitation to Tender was sent out to all 51 suppliers on Lot 1, of which two submitted bids. After evaluation of both bids and following standard internal governance procedures, it was determined that Tata Consultancy Services produced the Most Economically Advantageous Tender.

Under PCR 2015 to ensure an open, fair, and transparent procedure no external factors, including legal proceedings, can impact or influence a supplier’s bid. Therefore no consideration could be given to any legal proceedings against either bidder, as such no assessment of any potential impact was carried out.

The only additional consideration given was to the economic and financial standing of Tata Consultancy Services, as per departmental policy. Tata Consultancy Services completed the Financial Viability Risk Assessment tool, the outcome of which was evaluated to be within acceptable criteria.