Official UK procurement notice
Qualitative Research - British Sign Language Users on Rail
Authority: Transport Focus (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe appointed supplier will work with Transport Focus and SISJ partners to design and deliver qualitative research addressing how BSL users want to receive passenger information across rail environments.
CPV: Research services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedPublished value£60,000
- Condition of participation
Supplier requirements
We welcome bids from a wide range of suppliers including academic teams, research suppliers, consortia, independent experts, or other suitably qualified organisations with the relevant expertise. Responses must demonstrate:
- Strong experience delivering qualitative research with d/Deaf and BSL-using participants.
- Expertise in accessibility, inclusive design or transport research (rail experience desirable), including identification of sample and recruitment of research participants
- Capability to conduct research in BSL or with high-quality interpreting support.
- Experience translating complex qualitative insight into clear, actionable conclusions and make recommendations.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Lot awarding rule: Assessment methodology Tenders will be assessed on the basis of: • Quality and clarity of proposed approach, including appropriateness of methodology and sampling approach (50%) • Relevant expertise and track record (30%) • Value for money (20%)
- Condition of participation
Supplier requirements
We welcome bids from a wide range of suppliers including academic teams, research suppliers, consortia, independent experts, or other suitably qualified organisations with the relevant expertise. Responses must demonstrate:
- Strong experience delivering qualitative research with d/Deaf and BSL-using participants.
- Expertise in accessibility, inclusive design or transport research (rail experience desirable), including identification of sample and recruitment of research participants
- Capability to conduct research in BSL or with high-quality interpreting support.
- Experience translating complex qualitative insight into clear, actionable conclusions and make recommendations.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Below threshold - open competition
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Below threshold
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 Dec 2025, 15:45 GMT
- Last source update
- 9 Jul 2026, 08:28 BST
- Authority reference
BSLDEC25- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-085937- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fcceFind a Tender
- Reserved participation area
- K02000001
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 15 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 8 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Electronic submission
- Not allowed
Please email all tenders to: procurementadmin@transportfocus.org.uk
Questions may be submitted to: procurementadmin@transportfocus.org.uk
Timeline
23 Dec 2025 → 9 Jul 2026 · 5 dates- Tender notice published308 days ago23 Dec 2025, 15:45 GMT
- Clarification questions by291 days ago8 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Submission deadline284 days ago15 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts268 days ago1 Feb 2026
- Latest notice published110 days ago9 Jul 2026, 08:28 BST
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 Dec 2025- Tender notice published23 Dec 2025, 15:45 GMTUK4
- Contract award notice published8 Apr 2026, 15:02 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete8 Apr 2026, 15:02 BST
- Contract signature expected10 Apr 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published9 Jul 2026, 08:28 BSTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER10 Apr 2026 – 30 Jun 2026 | £60,000 | 29 Jan 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
- Signed
- 21 Apr 2026
- Value
- £52,710
- Period
- 21 Apr 2026 – 30 Jun 2026
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8final-stage tenders | 1 | 3 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
2 commercial parties on the notice- THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTERAwarded supplier
- UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTERAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Outline of requirement: Qualitative research project with users of British Sign Language to understand requirements for information when using rail.
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender