COMPASS

This page contains information about the commercial and operational managers procuring asylum support services (COMPASS) project.

The overall aim of the COMPASS project is to provide ongoing contract provision for asylum support services, in accordance with government policy, beyond the current arrangements which are due to expire during 2012. The following services are currently within the scope of COMPASS:

• initial and dispersed accomodation and associated services for asylum applicants; and
• transport for asylum applicants.

The COMPASS project's aims are to:

• deliver better value for money by ensuring that the project establishes guidelines and applies lessons learned to ensure delivery of greater operational efficiency, and enables lower risk facilitated by robust management;
• build in sufficient flexibility to vary services in line with changing demand in terms of volume, service user type and location;
• ensure overall business continuity so that support to entitled service users is maintained;
• continue to foster cohesion in the communities to which we disperse; and
• fulfil the UK Border Agency's legal obligations and meets its strategic objectives.

The project has now come to the end of the commercial procurement process. The following stages have been completed:

• request for information;
• request for proposal;
• e-Auction process; and
• due diligence process.

During these phases, the potential suppliers were robustly evaluated by representatives from regional operations, finance and commercial teams. The evaluation process identified the suppliers who will work with the UK Border Agency to deliver quality services and good value for money.

The COMPASS project is pleased to announce that the following organisations have been formally awarded contracts:

Region	Provider
London and South of England	Clearel Ltd*
Wales	Clearel Ltd*
Midlands and East of England	G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd**
North East, Yorkshire and Humber	G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd**
North West	Serco Limited (Serco Civil Government)
Scotland and Northern Ireland	Serco Limited (Serco Civil Government)

(*To note - the preferred bidder was originally called Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd. However, Clearel Ltd is the new legal entity name for the Joint Venture between Clearsprings and Reliance).
(**To note - the preferred bidder was originally called G4S Regional Management (UK&I) Ltd. However, G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd is the new legal entity name).

We have formally written to all of the bidders and key corporate partners informing them of the outcome.

We have announced the successful suppliers in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Formal contract award details will be available shortly through an OJEU award notice and can be seen on the Tenders Electronic Daily www.ted.europa.eu.

The project will now begin the key phases of:

• mobilisation March 2012 - May 2012
• transition June 2012 - December 2012

The COMPASS project is working with the UK Border Agency regional teams, the successful suppliers and corporate partners to plan and manage the transition of service users from current contracts to COMPASS contracts. This is to ensure minimal disruption to service users, the local community and UK Border Agency operations.

During these key phases the suppliers and the UK Border Agency will ensure that they are ready to deliver the in-scope services and go-live with the new operating arrangements.

The UK Border Agency will ensure that any service users that are required to move properties, due to the change in suppliers, will be notified in good time. We will consider the circumstances of each service user.

We will update this page with the latest details on the transition process. If you have any queries about the COMPASS project, please email Compass@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.