Small hi-tech specialists Buddi has criticised the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) after the government has announced that it will restart the procurement process for a GPS tagging scheme.

Buddi had been selected as the preferred bidder by the MoJ, but the department has move to restart the procurement process, claiming that Buddi had failed to show that it could supply the technology within the necessary time-frame.

Sara Murray, co-founder of Buddi said that the relationship with the MoJ has been a: “unproductive and frustrating relationship" and that the government has asked for a product that” does not yet exist”.

The tender will now be offered again under a accelerated process to original bidders 3M and Steatite.

The MoJ released a statement saying: "We have been unable to agree on certain technical and commercial aspects of the contract with Buddi to provide tags. We have therefore decided to re-compete this element of the contract to ensure we deliver an efficient service that represents best value for hardworking taxpayers while protecting the public.

While the MoJ claimed that the move would not result in new delays, which is currently 14 months behind schedule, Ms Murray said that the move would ensure that the project would not be delivered by the end of the year.

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