Exchange of Biometric Data across Europe - the Prum Arrangements

The Prüm arrangements allow for the large-scale exchange of fingerprints and DNA profiles (and vehicle registration numbers) between signatories to the Prüm Treaty for the purposes of law enforcement and national security. The UK did not join the Prüm arrangements in 2005 and it was not until 2013 that it was proposed that the UK undertake a Prüm Style Pilot for DNA exchange and Metropolitan Police Service Forensic Services was commissioned to undertake the pilot.

The Home Office are now looking for the Metropolitan Police Service to confirm that the Prüm DNA technical solution is deliverable in advance of key meetings and agreement by the UK parliament and European Commission to full implementation.

The procurement of remaining requirements for the case management solution is planned to be sourced through Eurofins, the MPS Managed Service Provider.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is requested to approve the following:

• To let two contracts with Eurofins (who will sub-contract to Labware for the services required). This is based on commercial advice received.

o The first contract will contain requirements to complete the remaining development work for IDRIS to enable the Metropolitan Police Service to provide reassurance to Home Office and European colleagues of the technical capability within the UK. It is anticipated that the cost for this will be circa £36,000 - this will include development and transfer to the production environment, and transfer of knowledge to Eurofins development team.

o The second contract (directly with Eurofins) will be for licensing, on-going software support and maintenance. It is envisaged this will circa £22,000 per year. This cost is yet to be finalised. On-going and support charges will be made available via a different contract and will be compliant with Metropolitan Police Service governance protocols.

And to note:

• All development work and transfer to the production environment needs to be completed by 31st March 2018 (at the latest), due to Home Office Budgetary allocations which cannot be transferred to the following financial year.

• In addition the Home Office have agreed to cover the development costs incurred in 2017-18, estimated at £425k which previous commercial advice was to agree a Provision of Goods and Services Agreement, pursuant to Section 15 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. Under MOPAC Scheme of Consent and 454555 Delegation, Commercial Director of the Third Party Contracts Team, has delegated authority to sign agreements under £500k.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. Metropolitan Police Service Forensic Services have maintained the Prüm DNA technical solution that was used in the Prüm Style Pilot and through the OMM2020 Foresite Programme utilised the Labware COTS product to develop a case management solution for Prüm DNA exchange. Unfortunately, the Foresite Programme has gone into exception and it will not be able to complete development of the case management system.

1.2. Alternative arrangements have been identified to source this software through Eurofins the MPS Managed Service Provider who use the Labware product across their business and have a support team of eight staff for their Labware application.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The Metropolitan Police Service have all the elements of the Prüm DNA technical solution in place except the case management and work flow capability. This has been developed using the Labware software that is to be used for case management across all Metropolitan Police Service Forensic Services as part of the Foresite programme. The case management and work flow capability will be delivered through a module of the overall Labware solution. The Foresite programme is currently in exception and will not deliver this solution in the timescales required by the Home Office.

2.2. It has therefore been agreed to explore a commercial route through Eurofins to access the critical case management software to bring the Prüm DNA technical solution fully on-line, effectively de-coupling the Prüm Labware module from the Metropolitan Police Service Foresite programme.

2.3. This decision was based upon the critical dates for delivery of this national project and given Eurofins have in-depth knowledge of development and maintaining Labware products, in addition to the fact that Eurofins are our existing Managed Service Supplier.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The costs of £36k in 2017/18 to complete the remaining development work for IDRIS are recoverable from the Home Office.

3.2. There is also a £22k p.a. cost for licensing, on-going software support and maintenance when live.

3.3. In addition the Home Office have agreed to cover the development costs incurred in 2017-18, estimated at £425k, giving a total cost recovery from the Home Office of £461k in 2017-18.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. Metropolitan Police Service Legal Services are fully engaged and these procurements. The acquisition of the solution is legally compliant.

5. Equality Comments

5.1. This is a Home Office project and there is a PIA (Privacy Impact Assessment) the project board has representation from Bio Commissioner, Information Commissioner, there will be an oversight board as agreed in the Parliamentary debate (Hansard).

6. Background/supporting papers

6.1. Report