The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has unveiled the details of an imminent IT managed services framework deal that is estimated at up to £350 million.

Contrary to the government’s recent claims to move away from large and long-term IT deals, the upcoming deal is to last 6 years and cover service management, integration, and desktop infrastructure services.

Although the FCO is based in London there are approximately 270 offices worldwide, with an estimated 18,000 IT users. However, the services could potentially also be used by a range of public sector bodies such as the UK Border Agency, the British Council and the Department for International development.