United Kingdom25 days leftOpen

BLC0228 Digital Forensic Software and Tools (DFS&T) Framework

Tender Overview

LOCATION

Inner London - West, United Kingdom

VALUE

£960,614,600

DEADLINE

February 27, 2026 at 14:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

30210000

REFERENCE

002402-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender Description

BlueLight Commercial are approaching the market nationally to establish an Open Framework for the provision of Digital Forensic Software and Tools. The scope of this framework has been established in alignment with the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice (2025), ensuring it reflects the current statutory requirements placed on local forensic units. This framework is intended to include all suppliers of Digital Forensic Software and Tools that support policing and agencies in meeting their obligations under the code. We seek to ensure that Software and Tools on the framework enable forces to achieve compliance, maintain quality standards and uphold the integrity and reliability of digital forensic processes in line with regulatory expectations. Inclusion on this framework does not require suppliers themselves to be accredited or directly compliant with Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice, but the Software and Tools they provide must support end users in meeting those requirements. We reserve the right to review and amend the scope of this framework as required to reflect any updates, revisions, or iterations of the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice and associated standards throughout the duration of the framework agreement. Following national consultation, it has been agreed that case management systems will not be included within the scope of this framework. This ensures the framework remains focused on digital forensic software and tooling, avoiding overlap with other national procurement activity. The stated estimated contract value includes provision for anticipated annual price increases over the potential contract term, in line with expected inflationary and market-related cost pressures. In addition, the value incorporates an allowance to cover estimated expenditure that may arise from use by additional participating or associated agencies during the life of the contract. The estimated value is therefore not a guarantee of spend but represents a prudent upper limit for procurement and transparency purposes
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • No specific mandatory exclusion grounds are explicitly stated in the provided tender information.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • The bidding company must be a supplier of Digital Forensic Software and Tools.
  • The bidding company itself is not required to be accredited or directly compliant with the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • The offered Software and Tools must be Digital Forensic Software and Tools.
  • The offered Software and Tools must align with the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice (2025).
  • The offered Software and Tools must reflect current statutory requirements placed on local forensic units.
  • The offered Software and Tools must support policing and agencies in meeting their obligations under the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice.
  • The offered Software and Tools must enable end-users to achieve compliance with the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice.
  • The offered Software and Tools must enable end-users to maintain quality standards in digital forensic processes.
  • The offered Software and Tools must enable end-users to uphold the integrity and reliability of digital forensic processes.
  • The offered Software and Tools must NOT include case management systems.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Bidders must propose pricing that accounts for anticipated annual price increases over the potential contract term.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Bids must be submitted by the deadline of 2026-02-27 14:00:00.

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PDF
Official PDF Version
PDF002402-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
BlueLight Commercial is establishing an open framework for Digital Forensic Software and Tools, valued at over £800M, to help policing and agencies meet statutory requirements under the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice (2025).

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender for a Digital Forensic Software and Tools Framework presents a clear scope and detailed technical requirements. However, it suffers from significant deficiencies in transparency and completeness, notably the absence of evaluation criteria, unclear document access, and lack of e-submission.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The tender defines an open procedure and provides a reasonable submission period of 40 days. However, the CPV code might be slightly misaligned with the primary service, and the explicit absence of mandatory exclusion grounds and evaluation criteria are significant legal compliance gaps. The missing reveal date is also a concern.

Potentially misaligned CPV code (30210000 for software/tools)
No explicit mandatory exclusion grounds stated
Clarity80/100

The description of the framework's scope and the technical requirements are very clear and well-defined, particularly regarding alignment with the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice. The major drawback is the complete absence of specified evaluation criteria, which is critical for bidders.

No evaluation criteria specified
Completeness70/100

Basic tender information, financial details, and timeline are well-provided. However, the tender is incomplete due to the explicit lack of evaluation criteria, missing mandatory exclusion grounds, and the highly problematic statement that the "Official PDF Version" is "Required: No" while only one document is summarized out of four.

No evaluation criteria specified
No explicit mandatory exclusion grounds stated
Fairness85/100

The tender's requirements appear generic and not tailored to a specific company, aiming to include all relevant suppliers. The value is disclosed, and the submission deadline is reasonable. However, the absence of evaluation criteria, lack of e-submission, and ambiguous document access significantly detract from overall fairness and transparency.

No evaluation criteria specified
No e-submission
Practicality65/100

Key practical details like contract start date and duration are clearly specified. However, the lack of electronic submission capabilities and the absence of a direct document URL (implied by "Documents available" but no link) present significant practical hurdles for bidders.

No e-submission
No direct document URL provided
Data Consistency90/100

The tender generally exhibits good data consistency with logical dates and populated key fields. Minor inconsistencies include the empty "Liable Person" field, missing procedure codes, and a discrepancy in the total number of documents versus those summarized.

Empty 'Liable Person' field
Missing procedure codes (N/A)
Sustainability50/100

The tender positively includes "Innovation Focus" and "Social Criteria" as characteristics. However, it explicitly lacks "green procurement" aspects and is not EU funded, which often drives higher sustainability standards.

Not green procurement

Strengths

Clear and detailed description of the framework scope and technical requirements
Open procedure with a reasonable submission period (40 days)
Includes Innovation Focus and Social Criteria
Value disclosed and accounts for inflation/additional agencies
Contract duration and start date are clearly specified

Concerns

Absence of specified evaluation criteria
Lack of explicit mandatory exclusion grounds
No electronic submission (e-submission)
Unclear document requirements and access
Potentially misaligned CPV code

Recommendations

1. Immediately publish comprehensive evaluation criteria to ensure transparency and fairness.
2. Clarify mandatory exclusion grounds and provide clear instructions on required tender documents and access.
3. Implement electronic submission capabilities to enhance practicality and equal access for bidders.

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B
Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good

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