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Published 17 Mar 2025, 16:20 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

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

Official notice

Authority: BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL LIMITED (Public body)

Open framework schemeGoodsOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitable
Sectors: Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages (30)Industrial machinery (42)Software Packages & ERP (48)
+1 moreIT Services & Software (72)
 Delivery: Delivery location not published
Framework ceiling (notional)£800,512,167framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 2 value updates
Submissions closed 27 Feb 2026awarded 2 Jul 2026
Awarded to CCL Forensics Ltd +7 more
Framework period 8 yrsends 26 May 2034 · extension options published · starts 27 May 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement 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

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 27 Apr 2028, 00:59 BST.

CPV: Computer-related equipment · Data-processing machines (hardware) · Database and operating software package · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Industry specific software package · Special-purpose electrical goods

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Bids received
13 bids received · 12 suppliers appointed
Framework period
8 yrs from 27 May 2026
Scheme runs until
30 Sept 2034
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
0.50% of call-off value
Who may buy through it

Police Contracting Authorities and/or Police and Crime Commissioners, for a full list go to: www.police.uk/forces ↗

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners

MOD Police, PSNI, Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Police Forces of British Overseas Territories, British Sovereign Base Areas and British Crown Dependencies, Financial Intelligence Unit Jersey.

Local Authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Combined Authorities, Mayoral Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities

UK Fire and Rescue Services

Home Office, MoJ, FCDO, DWP, Department for Business and Trade and DEFRA: including their associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

APCC, NPCC, College of Policing, Border Force, IOPC, BlueLight Commercial and Police Digital Services

Organisations set up under the Crime and Courts Act 2013

NHS Bodies

Published description of the framework

The procedure for call-off contracts will be further competition or direct award

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1Awarded 8 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£800,512,167
Contract period: 27 May 2026 – 26 May 2034 (8 yrs)Value: £800,512,167 exc. VAT · £960,614,600 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Modification Option 1 The Framework Agreement is established in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice (Codes) as of 2025. Over the duration of this Framework Agreement the Codes will be amended and therefore the scope of the framework would need to update in line with any changes to the Codes to ensure it remains relevant. Modification Option 2 Requirement to provide connectivity to other policing systems as part of the provision of this service.
30210000 Data-processing machines (hardware)30230000 Computer-related equipment42992000 Special-purpose electrical goods48100000 Industry specific software package48600000 Database and operating software package72000000 IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
  • Simple description: Full information available in the '11Ci. Open Framework - Instruction to Bidders - Open Procedure V5' document
What this means for your bid
  • “BLC0228 Digital Forensic Software and Tools (DFS&T) Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Open framework scheme
Who may use the vehicle
Police Contracting Authorities and/or Police and Crime Commissioners, for a full list go to: https://www.police.uk/forces Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners MOD Police, PSNI, Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Police Forces of British Overseas Territories, British Sovereign Base Areas and British Crown Dependencies, Financial Intelligence Unit Jersey. Local Authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland Combined Authorities, Mayoral Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities UK Fire and Rescue Services Home Office, MoJ, FCDO, DWP, Department for Business and Trade and DEFRA: including their associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies. APCC, NPCC, College of Policing, Border Force, IOPC, BlueLight Commercial and Police Digital Services Organisations set up under the Crime and Courts Act 2013 NHS Bodies · open scheme: new suppliers can join during the term
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 27 Apr 2028
First published
17 Mar 2025, 16:20 GMT
Last source update
14 Oct 2026, 14:42 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 5 May 2026
Authority reference
BLC0228
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-002402
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Computer-related equipmentData-processing machines (hardware)Database and operating software packageIT services: consulting, software development, Internet and supportIndustry specific software packageSpecial-purpose electrical goods
Delivery area
Not published
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ee0e Find a Tender
Review and risk notes
Risks

Known Risk 1

Technological Change - due to the nature of the requirement and constant changes required to meet Digital Forensic needs, software changes and new software is required often. Nature of Impact: Increased costs, different products used than originally on the framework. Amendments likely to be often and frequent but unable to predict technological changes.

Known Risk 2

It is anticipated that during the lifetime of this framework, a central validation function or equivalent national coordination mechanism may be established to support consistency and assurance across digital forensic tools and methods. Suppliers appointed to the framework may be required to engage with this function to support validation or verification activity. The exact structure, governance, and funding model for any central validation function have not yet been determined. While engagement requirements are not expected to impose disproportionate burden, suppliers should be aware that collaborative participation in central validation or testing activity may become a condition of ongoing framework participation or call-off delivery

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Appointment period ends
27 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
13 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 0.50% of call-off value
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/home ↗

Timeline

17 Mar 2025 → 14 Oct 2026 · 11 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    17 Mar 2025, 16:20 GMT
  2. Market engagement
    5 Apr 2025, 00:59 BST

    Please visit sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/home ↗ to register on the BlueLight Commercial e-tendering platform.

    Once registered, please navigate to Portals in the top right of the screen

    Please log in to BlueLight Commercial Portal

    Here you will be able to see the further information and a link to the survey to complete: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/DFSoftwareandTools… ↗

  3. Next notice expected
    31 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
  4. Tender notice published276 days ago
    12 Jan 2026, 16:17 GMT
  5. Clarification questions by244 days ago
    13 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
  6. Admission / appointment period ends231 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    27 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
  7. Award decision expected by163 days ago
    5 May 2026, 23:59 BST
  8. Contract starts142 days ago
    27 May 2026, 00:00 BST
  9. Assessment summaries sent106 days ago
    2 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
  10. Standstill ends93 days ago
    14 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
  11. Latest notice published2 days ago
    14 Oct 2026, 14:42 BST

Notice history

18 events · 10 releases on Find a Tender · since 17 Mar 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    17 Mar 2025, 16:20 GMT
    UK2
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    17 Mar 2025, 16:27 GMT
    UK2
  3. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    3 Apr 2025, 10:26 BST
    UK2
  4. Pipeline notice published
    24 Jun 2025, 09:51 BST
    UK1
  5. Published value updated
    24 Jun 2025, 09:51 BST
  6. Status changed to planned
    24 Jun 2025, 09:51 BST
  7. Tender notice published
    12 Jan 2026, 16:17 GMT
    UK4
  8. Published value published: £800,512,167
    12 Jan 2026, 16:17 GMT
  9. Status changed to active
    12 Jan 2026, 16:17 GMT
  10. Procurement method changed
    12 Jan 2026, 16:17 GMT
  11. Deadline published: 27 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
    12 Jan 2026, 16:17 GMT
  12. Tender notice published
    13 Jan 2026, 16:47 GMT
    UK4
  13. Contract award notice published
    2 Jul 2026, 16:22 BST
    UK6
  14. Status changed to complete
    2 Jul 2026, 16:22 BST
  15. Contract award notice published
    2 Jul 2026, 17:20 BST
    UK6
  16. Contract signature expected
    31 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  17. Contract details notice published
    14 Oct 2026, 14:37 BST
    UK7
  18. Contract details notice published
    14 Oct 2026, 14:42 BST
    UK7
Published amendments (2)

Extended return of survey deadline from 4th April to 11th April - this is due to several reports of issues with accessing.

e-sender version did not include "options" amended on Central Digital Platform to include "Options"

Routine re-releases (10)
  • 2026-07: 1 release · 2 Jul 2026
  • 2026-01: 2 releases · 12 Jan 2026, 13 Jan 2026
  • 2025-06: 1 release · 24 Jun 2025
  • 2025-04: 1 release · 3 Apr 2025
  • 2025-03: 2 releases · 17 Mar 2025, 17 Mar 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 121 award · see the list ↓
Bids received 1310 from SMEs
Named bidders 13published on the award notice
Contracts signed 1latest 22 Sept 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
CCL Forensics LtdSME, Chorus Intelligence LimitedSME, Cyacomb Ltd.SME, MAGNET FORENSICS LLC, MSABSME, Nuix Technology UK LtdSME +6 more10 Aug 2026 – 9 Aug 2034Options: Modification Option 1 The Framework Agreement is established in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice (Codes) as of 2025. Over the duration of this Framework Agreement the Codes will be amended and therefore the scope of the framework would need to update in line with any changes to the Codes to ensure it remains relevant. Modification Option 2 Requirement to provide connectivity to other policing systems as part of the provision of this service. · Amended: Initial e-sender version did not include Forensic Analytics when uploading to FTS, resubmitted via e-sender£960,614,600 inc. VAT2 Jul 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • BLC0228 Digital Forensic Software and Tools (DFS&T) Framework · CCL Forensics LtdSME, Chorus Intelligence LimitedSME, Cyacomb Ltd.SME, MAGNET FORENSICS LLC, MSABSME, Nuix Technology UK LtdSME +6 more

    Signed
    22 Sept 2026
    Value
    £960,614,600 inc. VAT
    Period
    22 Sept 2026 – 30 Sept 2034
    Status
    active
    Options
    Modification Option 1 The Framework Agreement is established in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice (Codes) as of 2025. Over the duration of this Framework Agreement the Codes will be amended and therefore the scope of the framework would need to update in line with any changes to the Codes to ensure it remains relevant. Modification Option 2 Requirement to provide connectivity to other policing systems as part of the provision of this service.
    4 agreed KPIs: Resolution of P1 Critical Fault or Issue: Compromising data integrity, forensic soundness, or rendering software/tools inoperable. · Zero-Day Vulnerability Notification & Patching · Notification of New/Replacement Software Impacting Accreditation …
    • Resolution of P1 Critical Fault or Issue: Compromising data integrity, forensic soundness, or rendering software/tools inoperable.
    • Zero-Day Vulnerability Notification & Patching
    • Notification of New/Replacement Software Impacting Accreditation
    • Issue Notifications to All Contracting Authorities (Active Call-Off Agreements)

Bid statistics published by the authority

BidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
13final-stage tenders100—

Who bid

Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: 12517649 · GB-PPON: PHNR-1637-NVGV Lower Ground 5-8 The Sanctuary, London, London, SW1P 3JSContact name, email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

13 commercial parties on the notice · 12 awarded
  • Axon Public Safety UK LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 07390059 14 Sopwith Way, Drayton Fields Industrial Estate, Daventry, East Midlands, NN11 8PBContact email, phone
  • CCL-Forensics LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 05314495 Timothy's Bridge Road, Statford-upon-Avon, West Midlands, CV37 9NWContact email, phone
  • Chorus Intelligence LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 07814100 Station Road, Woodbridge, East of England, IP12 4ALContact email, phone
  • Cyacomb Ltd.Framework contractorGB-COH: SC538756 3 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 9DRContact email, phone
  • First Forensic Solutions LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: NI073253 Newpark Ind Est, Antrim, UK, BT41 9AYContact email, phone
  • Forensic Analytics LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 08606475 Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth, East of England, SG6 1JGContact email, phone
  • Gladiator Forensics LLCFramework contractorGB-PPON: PGXX-1857-XZMQ 100 Rialto Place, Suite 605, Melbourne, Florida, US, 32901, USContact email
  • MSABFramework contractorGB-COH: 06783784 Abbey Square, Reading, South East, RG1 3BEContact email, phone
  • Magnet Forensics, LLCFramework contractorGB-PPON: PTHP-4623-HLQG 931 Monroe Dr NE, Suite A102-340, Atlanta, US, 30308, USContact email, phone
  • Nuix Technology UK LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 07945899 C/O Cogency Global (Uk) Limited 6 Lloyd's Avenue, London, London, EC3N 3AXContact email
Show 3 more suppliers
  • Securium ltdBidder / tendererGB-COH: 10087459 Meadrow, Godalming, South East, GU7 3HN
  • SoftcatFramework contractorGB-COH: 02174990 Fieldhouse Lane,, Marlow,, South East, SL7 1LWContact email, phone
  • Veritone UK LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 10993647 Mile end Road, London, London, E1 4BJContact email, phone

Official documents & specifications (11)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Show 2 more notices