German Government Examines Contract Award for Digitalization of Visa Issuance
Berlin, November 4, 2024 – The German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an examination of the contract award for the digitalization of visa issuance. The contract, worth several hundred million euros, was awarded to a consortium led by the IT company GovTech Solutions.
The examination was initiated after allegations of irregularities in the bidding process. Several other IT companies have filed complaints with the Federal Cartel Office, claiming that the selection process was unfair and that GovTech Solutions was given an undue advantage.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it takes these allegations seriously and is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent procurement process. The examination will include a review of the bidding documents, the selection criteria, and the evaluation process.
The digitalization of visa issuance is a major project for the German government. The aim is to streamline the visa application process, reduce waiting times, and improve the service provided to applicants. The contract with GovTech Solutions includes the development of a new online visa application platform, as well as the provision of hardware and software.
The examination is expected to take several months. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it will make the findings of the examination public once they are available.
In the meantime, the contract with GovTech Solutions remains in place. However, the government has stated that it will not make any payments to the consortium until the examination is complete.
Additional Information:
- The contract for the digitalization of visa issuance was awarded in March 2023.
- The consortium led by GovTech Solutions includes several other IT companies, including SAP and Deutsche Telekom.
- The new online visa application platform is expected to be launched in 2025.
Auftragsvergabe zu Digitalisierung der Visavergabe geprüft
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