This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

28 Jul 2026 at 09:49

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the contract titled "PS26168 - Audit of internet services" was undertaken by UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED. This process falls under the "Research and development services and related consultancy services" industry category, with additional market research services classifications. The service is directed towards evaluating internet services hosting certain content to inform governmental policy, with the location specified as SW1A 2EG. This is in the award stage, having commenced on 20th July 2026, and is expected to conclude on 14th October 2026. It was carried out as a selective procurement through a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system, with the official award made public on 28th July 2026. The awarded contract is valued at £200,000.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in research, consultancy, and digital auditing services, especially SMEs, as indicated in the procurement details. With the British Board of Film Classification already engaged as the supplier, similar entities operating within digital compliance and content moderation sectors could find this type of contract highly suitable to their business model. Such opportunities allow for the development of technical expertise in auditing internet services and provide avenues for firms to contribute to shaping policy in online content regulation.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

PS26168 - Audit of internet services

Notice Description

Description ***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This contract has been awarded on CCS Research & Insights DPS RM6126. Brief Description To test the feasibility, effectiveness and scalability of auditing and reporting functions for an auditor of internet services that host pornography in order to inform the government's options to close the online/offline parity gap. * Generate evidence: Produce robust findings on the availability of certain types of pornographic content on a variety of internet services and the apparent compliance challenges to inform policy decisions. * Assess feasibility: Evaluate how auditing of internet services could operate in practice, including technical considerations. * Test capability and limitations: Identify what information can be reliably gathered through audits, including any risks and constraints. * Explore scalability: Assess whether the auditing approach can be applied consistently across a diverse and high-volume online market. * Inform parity options: Provide insight to support ministerial decisions on how the government should most effectively close the online/offline parity gap and whether to pursue an auditing function as part of the response.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-00143044-482e-4240-9eab-8a987207307e
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/10b5f798-ad2e-4d53-a56d-5833e02b7b7a
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
19 Jul 2026 - 14 Oct 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FF
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BRITISH BOARD OF FILM CLASSIFICATION

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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