Published date: 2 March 2026

Open early engagement - This means that a procurement idea is currently active, it is in the early stage of development and judging interest from potential suppliers.


Closing date: 16 March 2026

Contract summary

Industry

  • IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 72000000

Location of contract

East of England

Procurement reference

ECC DBS

Published date

2 March 2026

Closing date

16 March 2026

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Essex County Council (ECC) is seeking information from suppliers who can provide an existing, fully developed, cloud based DBS processing platform to support its HR Shared Services Team. The team delivers recruitment and vetting services for ECC and external public sector customers.

ECC is an established DBS Registered Body, Umbrella Organisation, & a Responsible Organisation and will continue operating in these capacities throughout the contract.

All DBS applications must be submitted under ECC's Registered Body identity, with counter signatory duties remaining with ECC. The supplier will act solely as a processor and platform provider.
The platform must support Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, provide comprehensive reporting to support invoicing and financial processes, offer customer self service capability, and operate with minimal impact on ECC's infrastructure.
Suppliers must demonstrate appropriate business continuity arrangements (excluding any DBS initiated eBulk suspension) and provide training and knowledge transfer at mobilisation to enable ECC to train system users.

ECC's current contract ends on 30 September 2026, and this early market engagement is being undertaken in preparation for that expiry.

We aim to understand market capability, implementation timescales, indicative costs, and interest ahead of issuing our formal Request for Quotation (RFQ).

We are keen to identify suppliers who wish to be included in the RFQ process.

We look forward to hearing from interested suppliers as part of this early engagement exercise.

More information

Attachments

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Contact name

Rachael Flynn

Address

County Hall
CHELMSFORD
CM1 1QH
England

Email

rachael.flynn@essex.gov.uk