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

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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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70
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender outlines a significant framework for digital forensic software and tools, but the complete absence of detailed tender documents makes a thorough quality assessment impossible and raises serious concerns about transparency and fairness.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance100/100

The tender description references the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice (2025), indicating an intent for regulatory alignment. However, without full tender documents, it's impossible to verify compliance with national procurement laws regarding transparency, competition, and detailed requirement specification. The lack of explicitly stated mandatory exclusion grounds in the provided extract is also a concern.

Absence of full tender documents prevents verification of compliance with national procurement regulations.
Lack of explicitly stated mandatory exclusion grounds in the provided extract.
Clarity40/100

The description provides a clear overview of the framework's scope and objectives, including what is excluded (case management systems). The extracted requirements are generally clear in their intent. However, the absence of full tender documents means that detailed specifications, terms, and conditions, which are crucial for clarity, are missing.

Lack of detailed specifications, terms, and conditions due to missing tender documents.
Ambiguity regarding how 'Innovation Focus' and 'Social Criteria' will be evaluated without specific criteria.
Completeness83/100

This is the weakest point. The tender information provided is severely incomplete due to the complete absence of any attached documents. Essential components like detailed specifications, evaluation criteria, contract terms, submission instructions, and full legal requirements are missing.

Complete absence of tender documents (specifications, draft contract, evaluation criteria, submission forms).
Missing evaluation criteria, making it impossible for bidders to understand how their proposals will be judged.
Fairness60/100

The open procedure and the stated intent to include 'all suppliers' of relevant tools suggest a commitment to fairness. However, the lack of detailed documentation, especially evaluation criteria, creates a significant risk of unfairness and lack of transparency. Without clear criteria, the procurement process can be perceived as arbitrary.

Absence of evaluation criteria undermines transparency and fairness, potentially leading to arbitrary decisions.
Lack of detailed requirements and terms could disadvantage bidders who cannot anticipate the full scope.
Practicality40/100

The concept of a framework for digital forensic tools is practical for policing and agencies. The exclusion of case management systems helps focus the scope. However, the practical execution of this tender is severely hampered by the lack of documentation. Bidders cannot practically prepare a comprehensive and compliant bid without detailed specifications, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines.

Bidders cannot practically prepare a compliant bid without detailed tender documents.
The absence of evaluation criteria makes it impractical for bidders to tailor their proposals effectively.
Data Consistency100/100

Within the provided text, the information appears consistent. The description aligns with the extracted requirements. However, the overall consistency cannot be fully assessed without the actual tender documents.

Limited scope for consistency check due to the absence of full tender documents.
Sustainability50/100

The tender mentions 'Social Criteria' but provides no details on how these will be defined, measured, or evaluated. There is no explicit mention of environmental or broader sustainability aspects (e.g., green procurement).

'Social Criteria' are mentioned without specific details or evaluation methods.
No explicit mention of environmental sustainability or green procurement aspects.

Strengths

Clear overall scope and purpose of the framework.
Alignment with the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice (2025).
Explicit exclusion of case management systems to avoid overlap.
Acknowledgement of anticipated price increases and additional agency use in estimated value.
Open procedure type encourages broad participation.

Concerns

Complete absence of tender documents (specifications, evaluation criteria, contract terms).
Missing evaluation criteria, making fair and transparent assessment impossible.
Lack of explicitly stated mandatory exclusion grounds.
Vague 'Innovation Focus' and 'Social Criteria' without defined evaluation methods.
High estimated value and long duration without detailed breakdown or clear risk allocation.

Recommendations

1. Immediately publish all comprehensive tender documents, including detailed specifications, evaluation criteria, draft contract, and submission instructions.
2. Clearly define and specify how 'Innovation Focus' and 'Social Criteria' will be evaluated.
3. Explicitly state all mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds and selection criteria.

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Tender Quality Score
70/ 100 · Good

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