Official UK procurement notice
DBS Security Operations Centre (SOC) Service
Authority: Disclosure and Barring Service
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionDBS is progressing a major transformation of its legacy IT estate, moving to modern, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)–based applications.
As part of this transformation, DBS intends to procure a modern, CREST accredited Security Operations Centre (SOC) Service to protect and monitor its next-generation estate.
The SOC will be implemented on the next generation estate only, there is no requirement for SOC services on the legacy estate which is mainly greenfield and as such there is no history of security logs, events or incidents for the applications in scope.
It will include multiple SaaS-based services, a data integration platform, connection to third-party services (which may provide log feeds), and potentially other IaaS/PaaS cloud based services, for which the service shall be capable of onboarding and monitoring.
Multiple third parties work with the Buyer to deliver technology and business services and have access to the Buyer's information and systems. End point, network and other supporting services (email and productivity tools for example) are provided to the Buyer and monitored by the Home Office and as such are out of scope of the SOC Service;
DBS holds information that is highly sensitive and must not be subject to compromise. It depends on real-time, accurate transactions, any compromise to the integrity of such data could lead to significant losses;
DBS collects, stores and manages Personal Data (including sensitive Personal Data); and
DBS services provide evidence to legal bodies that require full audit and visibility of data creation, manipulation and access as part of legislative and regulatory requirements.
DBS require a supplier to design, build and maintain the SOC that is compliant with / aligned to the NCSC guide on building a SOC encompassing: the operating model; onboarding; detection; threat intelligence; and Security Incident response and management.
The SOC must be available and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (at all times).
More information about DBS and its operations can be found at: Disclosure and Barring Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk ↗).
- How the procedure runs: The procurement will follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will be a single stage procurement where Bidders are asked to submit a response to the PSQ and ITT on the same date. Only bidders that pass the PSQ will have their tender response evaluated. No additional steps will be used. Following publication of this Tender Notice, bidders will be required to complete a Conflict of Interest (CoI) declaration, an Ethical Wall Agreement (EWA) and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before receiving access to the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Completion of these will be a gateway requirement for access to the ITT, and bidders must submit their completed documents within the timescales set out in this Tender Notice. Following confirmation of compliance, the ITT will be released simultaneously to all eligible bidders in early December 2025. Indicative procurement timeline (which is subject to change at DBS's discretion): • Tender Notice publication: 11/11/2025 • Access provided to CoI / EWA / NDA documents: 11/11/2025 • Deadline for submission of CoI / EWA / NDA documents: 21/11/2025 at 1700 • PSQ and ITT issued to all eligible bidders (see below): early December 2025 • Clarification question period deadline: late January 2026 • Final clarification question log issued: late January 2026 • PSQ and ITT submission deadline: early February 2026 Eligible bidders are bidders who have received confirmation from DBS that their submitted CoI / EWA / NDA documents have been counter-signed. Please allow approximately four (4) working days for DBS to process your submission and confirm eligibility. DBS may consider allowing late submission of CoI / EWA / NDA documents, however in no circumstances can bidders submit this documentation after 05/01/2026 at 1700. Bidders who are late to submit their CoI / EWA / NDA documents will be required to submit their PSQ and ITT responses on the same date as bidders who submit their CoI / EWA / NDA documents on time. The PSQ will be assessed on a pass/fail basis covering legal, financial and technical requirements. Case studies demonstrating relevant SOC delivery experience will also be assessed on a pass/fail basis within the PSQ. Tenders from bidders that pass all PSQ criteria will then be evaluated. Bidders who fail the PSQ will be excluded and will not have their tenders evaluated. A clarification process will operate during the PSQ and ITT period to enable bidders to seek clarification from DBS. There will be no dialogue, validation, or negotiation stages included in the process. Due diligence will be undertaken by DBS prior to Contract Award to provide assurance that there are no material risks that could prevent contract signature i.e. if a Supplier bidding for the contract no longer meets the minimum standards required, and their Tender is rejected as a result, DBS reserves the right to award the Contract to the next highest scoring Supplier. Please note DBS reserves the right at any stage of the procurement to abandon the competition and not award a contract. DBS also reserves the right to make minor amendments to the procurement documentation (for example, to clarify or refine requirements), provided such changes are not substantial and do not distort competition. If amendments are made, DBS will consider whether any corresponding tender deadlines require revision and will issue updated documentation or notices where appropriate.
CPV: Computer-related services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Information technology services · Networking, Internet and intranet software package · Security services · Security software development services · Software-related services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£9,400,000
- Economic & financial standing
Details can be found in the PSQ
- Technical & professional ability
Details can be found in the PSQ
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- Technical: 60%
- Price: 30%
- Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
- Technical
- Price
- Social Value
- Economic & financial standing
Details can be found in the PSQ
- Technical & professional ability
Details can be found in the PSQ
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 11 Aug 2025, 15:28 BST
- Last source update
- 11 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 27 May 2026
- Authority reference
C26340- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-072909- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058556Find a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement will follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will be a single stage procurement where Bidders are asked to submit a response to the PSQ and ITT on the same date. Only bidders that pass the PSQ will have their tender response evaluated. No additional steps will be used.
Following publication of this Tender Notice, bidders will be required to complete a Conflict of Interest (CoI) declaration, an Ethical Wall Agreement (EWA) and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before receiving access to the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Completion of these will be a gateway requirement for access to the ITT, and bidders must submit their completed documents within the timescales set out in this Tender Notice. Following confirmation of compliance, the ITT will be released simultaneously to all eligible bidders in early December 2025.
Indicative procurement timeline (which is subject to change at DBS's discretion):
- Tender Notice publication: 11/11/2025
- Access provided to CoI / EWA / NDA documents: 11/11/2025
- Deadline for submission of CoI / EWA / NDA documents: 21/11/2025 at 1700
- PSQ and ITT issued to all eligible bidders (see below): early December 2025
- Clarification question period deadline: late January 2026
- Final clarification question log issued: late January 2026
- PSQ and ITT submission deadline: early February 2026
Eligible bidders are bidders who have received confirmation from DBS that their submitted CoI / EWA / NDA documents have been counter-signed. Please allow approximately four (4) working days for DBS to process your submission and confirm eligibility.
DBS may consider allowing late submission of CoI / EWA / NDA documents, however in no circumstances can bidders submit this documentation after 05/01/2026 at 1700. Bidders who are late to submit their CoI / EWA / NDA documents will be required to submit their PSQ and ITT responses on the same date as bidders who submit their CoI / EWA / NDA documents on time.
The PSQ will be assessed on a pass/fail basis covering legal, financial and technical requirements. Case studies demonstrating relevant SOC delivery experience will also be assessed on a pass/fail basis within the PSQ. Tenders from bidders that pass all PSQ criteria will then be evaluated. Bidders who fail the PSQ will be excluded and will not have their tenders evaluated.
A clarification process will operate during the PSQ and ITT period to enable bidders to seek clarification from DBS. There will be no dialogue, validation, or negotiation stages included in the process.
Due diligence will be undertaken by DBS prior to Contract Award to provide assurance that there are no material risks that could prevent contract signature i.e. if a Supplier bidding for the contract no longer meets the minimum standards required, and their Tender is rejected as a result, DBS reserves the right to award the Contract to the next highest scoring Supplier.
Please note DBS reserves the right at any stage of the procurement to abandon the competition and not award a contract. DBS also reserves the right to make minor amendments to the procurement documentation (for example, to clarify or refine requirements), provided such changes are not substantial and do not distort competition. If amendments are made, DBS will consider whether any corresponding tender deadlines require revision and will issue updated documentation or notices where appropriate.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 4 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
The procurement will be conducted electronically via the eSourcing Portal (Jaggaer). All communication and document exchange for this procurement will take place through this portal.
Registration:
To participate, suppliers must first be registered on the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal. Registration can be completed online at homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com ↗ by selecting ‘To register click here’. Suppliers must have a valid DUNS number (issued by Dun & Bradstreet) for the organisation that would enter into contract with DBS.
Access to procurement documents:
To obtain access to the procurement documentation, suppliers must first request access to the Conflict of Interest (CoI), Ethical Wall Agreement (EWA) and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) documents by emailing [email protected]. Your email must clearly state the exact organisation name used when registering on the Jaggaer portal.
Once your organisation has been validated, the DBS Procurement Team will enable access to the procurement event within Jaggaer.
Pre-qualification requirement:
Completion and submission of the CoI, EWA and NDA documentation is a mandatory precondition for access to the PSQ and ITT. DBS will review submitted documents and confirm eligibility.
Please see the “Competitive Flexible Procedure Description” section for further details.
Support:
For any technical issues with the eSourcing Portal, please contact the Jaggaer Supplier Helpdesk: [email protected], 0800 069 8630 (08:00 – 18:00, Monday to Friday)
Government Central Digital Platform:
All bidders must be registered on the Government’s Central Digital Platform for Supplier Registration before their tender can be accepted by DBS, available at supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk ↗. Registration is mandatory under the Procurement Act 2023.
Timeline
11 Aug 2025 → 6 Jul 2026 · 7 dates- Planning notice published11 Aug 2025, 15:28 BST
- Market engagement26 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
Suppliers wishing to participate in this online market engagement should register by emailing [email protected] with confirmation they are registered on Home Office Jaggaer. Suppliers who are not yet registered can do so here: homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html ↗
The market engagement event will be open for participation from 11th August 2025 until 26th August 2025 and will be conducted via Jaggaer. Please ensure you register in good time to enable your participation.
- Next notice expected15 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published349 days ago11 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMT
- Submission deadline264 days ago4 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by152 days ago27 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts113 days ago6 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 11 Aug 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published11 Aug 2025, 15:28 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published11 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMTUK4
- Published value published: £9,400,00011 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMT
- Status changed to active11 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMT
- Procurement method changed11 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMT
- Deadline published: 4 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT11 Nov 2025, 15:41 GMT
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: - Conflicts of Interest, Ethical Wall Agreement, and Non-Disclosure Agreement - Conditions of Participation - Invitation to Tender Documents
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender