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Accessibility Software & Hardware Support & Training - 2026

OFSTED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Sep 2026 at 13:41

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) procured accessibility software, support and training for staff assessed as having accessibility needs. The service covers speech-recognition software, including Dragon, and training on reasonable-adjustment tools such as Dragon, Texthelp Read&Write and MindManager. The supplier must provide an online portal to manage software use among Ofsted staff, a dedicated telephone help line and additional training for workplace-adjustment software. There may also be occasional requirements for compatible hardware, such as digital recorders. This is a specialist accessibility technology support service, classified under technical assistance services (CPV 71356200), delivered across England. The opportunity is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement has been completed and the contract was awarded to VoicePower Ltd on 1 September 2026. The award value is £126,000, with an estimated procurement range of £57,000 to £126,000. The contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029. It was a selective procedure conducted as a call-off from a framework agreement, with tender submissions closing on 25 August 2026 at 5pm. The award is active and the tender status is complete. VoicePower Ltd is the recorded supplier. The procurement covers one service requirement rather than separate lots. The published information identifies Ofsted as both the buying organisation and the organisation managing the procurement.

This award indicates recurring demand from Ofsted for a supplier able to combine accessibility software licensing or provision with practical user support and training. A credible competitor would need knowledge of Dragon speech-recognition products and other reasonable-adjustment software, including Texthelp Read&Write and MindManager, together with the ability to train staff with differing accessibility needs. It would also need to operate a reliable portal for managing software usage, provide responsive telephone assistance and deliver further training when required. Capability to source or supply compatible assistive hardware, including digital recorders, would strengthen the offer. The requirement is suitable for SMEs, so a focused accessibility technology provider with strong support delivery, training capacity and public-sector service discipline would be well placed when this buyer next tests the market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Accessibility Software & Hardware Support & Training - 2026

Notice Description

This contract will provide accessibility software, support and training for staff that have been assessed as having accessibility issues. The successful supplier will provide the following services: * Speech recognition software (Dragon Software) to accommodate users with a range of disabilities. * Training to staff on Specific reasonable adjustment software (Dragon TextHelp Read & write, Mindmanager) * Access to an online portal which is used to manage the usage amongst Ofsted staff. * Provide support to staff via a dedicated help phone line (as well as additional training) for any workplace adjustment software that is provided. * An occasional requirement for compatible hardware, for example, in the form of digital recorders.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-53962114-511d-4ea2-ba70-4b28c273cc3c
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d95a6821-f95b-4ab3-94b7-cbf3d3f4d2f3
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71356200 - Technical assistance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£126,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£126,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFSTED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 2WD
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VOICEPOWER LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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