The new system is an eagerly anticipated advancement in digital forensics. The scope, quality standards and structure of the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) have been built by forces, for forces to meet future digital forensic service requirements for policing and law enforcement and is fully endorsed by Digital Forensics Marketplace Operations Group.

FCN’s Senior Commercial Manager, Paul Greaves, said:

“The DPS gives policing and suppliers an easy to use framework that helps everyone. New suppliers can join at any time and existing suppliers can apply for additional lots as they grow and develop new ways of working. It also allows greater and easier access to suppliers for policing, using standardisation and efficiency to benefit all.”

Forces can build and amend their requirements continually over the DPS’s eight-year duration, encouraging suppliers to respond to their developing needs. It also provides an automated electronic process, with an entirely paperless system. There are ten suppliers currently on the system, with a typical competition timetable of around eight weeks. The DPS will be subject to ongoing evaluation as new suppliers join and forces submit their requirements. 

Paul went on to say:

“We’re very proud of the new DPS. Not just because it moves digital procurement forward but because it is the result of real collaboration right across forces, suppliers and the Forensic Science Regulator. At the FCN we’ve been able to coordinate the effort, which results in a better outcome for everyone. 

We’re here to help forces use the DPS and access the system in a way which works for them. Some forces are already working with us and we’ll share the learning from that experience. If anyone needs information or support at any stage of the process, then I’d encourage them to get in touch with us.”

Documentation associated with undertaking competitions from the DPS can be found on the Blue Light portal: www.blpd.gov.uk/contracts/contractview.aspx?contractid=47383

To find out more about the DPS, contact FCN Senior Commercial Manager, Paul Greaves or FCN Technical Commercial Officer, Ruth Hinks.