FOI202500022S OPSWAT MetaDefender & MetaAccess Advanced Malware Prevention Platform
Published 8 August 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foi-release-opswat-metadefender-metaaccess-advanced-malware-prevention-platform/foi202500022s-opswat-metadefender-metaaccess-advanced-malware-prevention-platform
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - REQUEST REF: FOI2025/00022S
Thank you for your email of 25 July 2025 asking for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. You asked:
“I would be most grateful if you would provide me, under the Freedom of Information Act, details in respect to the contract below. OPSWAT MetaDefender & MetaAccess Advanced Malware Prevention Platform: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/651e3da5-976c-41c5-8814-ced541917e4f
The details we require are:
1) What are the contractual performance KPI’s for this contract?
2) Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages
3) Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date
4) Start date & duration of framework/contract?
5) Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised?
6) Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension?
7) Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed?
8) Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?”
I am writing to confirm that we have now completed the search for the information which you requested.
I can confirm that FCDO Services does hold information relevant to your request, as set out below.
1) There are no KPIs in the contract.
2) The contract was awarded under the G-Cloud 13 framework. This was not a tender, a search was conducted as per the CCS buyer guidance against the framework: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM1557.13#products
3) The total spend of the contract excluding VAT is currently £1,505,972.40.
4) The start date of the contract was 19th March 2023, and it will end on 18th March 2026. We have already issued a variation agreement commencing 19th March 2026 that will run until 18th March 2027.
5) The requirements were the provision of OPSWAT products including MetaDefender & MetaAccess Advanced Malware Prevention Platform. This was a call-off from a G-Cloud framework and therefore a search was conducted to identify suitable suppliers.
6) Yes, the contract contains an extension clause of 12 months which has been utilised as per the variation agreement.
7) The contract has been extended for the maximum term, until 18th March 2027.
8) The information you have requested, i.e. names of staff, is personal data relating to third parties, the disclosure of which would contravene one of the data protection principles. In such circumstances sections 40(2) and 40 (3A)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act apply. In this case, our view is that disclosure would breach the data protection principle that personal data should be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently. It is the fairness aspect of this principle, which, in our view, would be breached by disclosure. In such circumstances, s.40 confers an absolute exemption on disclosure. There is, therefore, no public interest test to apply.
Once an FOI request is answered, it is considered to be in the public domain. To promote transparency, FCDO Services may now publish the response and any material released on GOV.UK in the FOI releases section. All personal information in the letter will be removed before publishing.
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Yours sincerely,