Steria announced it has been selected as preferred bidder for a contract worth approximately €70 million (£60million) by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence. Following a competitive bid process, with six invitations to tender and four responses, Steria has been selected to deliver ICT services to Dstl over an eight-year period. The contract is due to begin on 1st April 2011.

Steria will be responsible for delivering core IT services for Dstl’s corporate networks, including maintenance of its IT infrastructure, the provision of IT helpdesk support, and technical support for ad-hoc departmental projects. Due to the nature of Dstl’s work, one of the networks contains protectively-marked information as well as varied scientific research – Steria will also be required to support complex and bespoke technical applications designed for Dstl’s cutting-edge work.

Commenting on its selection of Steria as a new IT services partner, Jill Cook, Dstl’s Director of Infrastructure said, “flexibility, technological and service delivery, an appreciation for our exacting information security requirements and of course value for money, were the most important qualities we sought in an IT services partner.”

She continued, “We found Steria to be the best match for delivering against all four.”

“As a centre of excellence, responsible for the science and technology agenda in UK defence, Dstl fulfils a role of national and international importance. IT as an enabler of Dstl’s daily operations and high-profile projects must stand up to its rigorous demands as well as create efficiencies,” said John Torrie, Steria UK and India CEO. “Steria is committed to delivering significant cost savings over the contract lifetime and supporting Dstl in its drive to improve workplace efficiency and IT asset utilisation.”

The tender process was carried out in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Fair and Open Competition policy guidelines and the Ministry of Defence’s commercial guidelines. The contract has options for up to an additional two years.