A multibillion-pound IT procurement to provide a UK road
charging scheme for hauliers has been delayed at the request of
bidders.
Customs and Excise was due to announce a shortlist of six contracts
to run three service packages that would build an IT infrastructure
for the Lorry Road User Charge scheme.
Technology under consideration includes road-side detectors,
in-vehicle transmitters and satellite-based systems.
A spokesman for Customs and Excise said, "We are looking at a big
contract and we have been asked by the bidders to carry on the
debriefing process. There are three service packages and discussion
centres on how the companies will fit into those packages and work
with HM Customs."
Brain Haney, director of research at consultancy Input, said the
Lorry Road User Charge scheme was particularly complex and required
a variety of suppliers with different technical expertise to work
together.