The Digital Forensic Services Dynamic Purchasing System is gaining in popularity amongst policing, law enforcement agencies and suppliers alike. There are now 20 suppliers across 27 lots covering mainstream services like computer and mobile device analysis to more niche services like audio analysis.

Seven contracts have been awarded so far including Transforming Forensics contracts to support the Rape Review Response Project, the Competition and Markets Authority to support warrants and Dyfed-Powys to support reduction of their backlog. Two other organisations have run further competitions and are currently evaluating their bid responses. Seven forces/regions/organisations are preparing to run their further competitions in the coming months.

Dyfed-Powys contract was established extremely quickly. FCN Commercial and Dyfed-Powys first met on 31st January to discuss their requirement in more detail. The technical and commercial team worked at pace with FCN Commercial support to develop their further competition documents and incorporate lessons learned from other further competitions. This ensured their further competition only had minimal clarification questions and the contract could commence mid-March.

Faye Ryan, Head of Procurement said

“We are extremely grateful to the support provided by the FCN Commercial Team with our tender exercise that was set against an extremely challenging timeline. Ruth provided us with clear advice and guidance on the use of the DPS, that then allowed us to award a contract at pace, whilst ensuring that all technical and commercial requirements were fulfilled”.

Ruth Hinks, Contract Manager of the DF Services National DPS said

"It is great to see so much uptake in the use of the DF Services National DPS. The more organisations that use it, the more standardisation there is which will support the fragile marketplace and gather data to help develop digital forensic commercial strategies going forward."

To find out more, get in touch with Ruth - ruth.hinks@dorset.pnn.police.uk

“We are extremely grateful to the support provided by the FCN Commercial Team with our tender exercise that was set against an extremely challenging timeline."