Buying body dedicated to serving the commercial needs of law enforcement and other public bodies releases pipeline information outlining plans for commercial vehicle dedicated to platforms for engaging the public

Police forces and other public bodies around the country will soon be able to tap into a major procurement framework to support the deployment of digital tools dedicated to “victim and citizen engagement”.

Specialist buying body Bluelight Commecial Ltd has published a pipeline notice outlining its intention to put in place a four-year framework. The deal is scheduled to come into effect in May of next year and is forecast to be worth £96m to the chosen suppliers.

The newly released notice is intended to give prospective providers early warning of the future opportunity. Firms will subsequently be given a chance to engage with the policing procurement entity before the bidding process begins, the document adds.

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“This procurement aims to deliver a new framework for the provision of victim and citizen engagement technology solution services,” the notice says. “The framework is being established on behalf of UK policing and government departments and agencies. BlueLight Commercial are publishing this pipeline notice to make suppliers aware of this future opportunity. Market engagement may start in the coming months and a market-engagement notice will be published prior to this commencement.”

Working with policing bodies, the Home Office set up Bluelight Commercial five years ago with a remit to help law enforcement improve commercial processes and get the most out of suppliers.

The organisation operates as a private company, but funded by public money and wholly owned by its members – which includes all police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as those serving some UK territories and dependencies. Other members include the Ministry of Justice and several local fire and rescue services.