Next Generation Procurement NGP for Physical Forensic Services DPS
Framework Description
The Next Generation Procurement (NGP) for Physical Forensic Services is a Dynamic Purchasing System run by BlueLight Commercial with the Forensic Capability Network (FCN). It sits within the National Police Chiefs' Council Forensics Marketplace Portfolio and aims to build a sustainable national market for physical forensic testing for policing and the criminal justice system. Its prior information notice is Find a Tender 021236-2021, and the DPS runs until 5 January 2029.
Context & Use Case
Police forces use the NGP to buy physical forensic analysis that supports investigations and prosecutions. Requirements are aggregated nationally so forces get consistent service levels and suppliers see more predictable volumes. As a DPS, specific contracts are awarded through competitions among admitted suppliers. The original notice stated that the market should remain open to new ways of working and new suppliers.
Scope of Services
Forensic laboratory services Technical testing and analysis Composition and purity testing Blood and medical analysis Investigation support services
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits accredited forensic laboratories and specialist forensic science providers able to meet police quality standards. As a live DPS, it can be joined at any point before 5 January 2029, provided suppliers meet the admission criteria, including any accreditation requirements.
Buyer Benefits
Forces get a nationally agreed route to forensic capacity, with standard terms that support quality and continuity of supply. Aggregating demand helps stabilise the market and gives buyers resilience if one provider has capacity issues. Buyers look for accreditation, turnaround times, chain of custody and evidential quality that will stand up in court.
Next Steps
Register on BlueLight Commercial's e-tendering portal and locate the NGP Physical Forensic Services DPS. Review the admission criteria and service categories, and check your accreditation status against them. Prepare quality management documents, accreditation certificates and evidence of police casework. After admission, monitor the portal for competitions. The DPS ends on 5 January 2029, so apply well before then.
How Athena Can Help
Forensic DPS applications turn on evidence of accreditation and quality systems. Athena's DPS application specialists prepare and compliance-check the selection responses, policies and certificates so your laboratory is admitted without delays.
When competitions follow, our bid writing and pricing support helps you show turnaround, quality and chain-of-custody controls clearly. We also offer strategic public sector bid advice for laboratories looking to grow police and criminal justice work beyond the NGP, including bid/no-bid calls on each competition.
