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Socrates Renewal

The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

29 Aug 2026 at 10:17

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

24 Mar 2026 at 16:43

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police procured renewal of the Socrates forensic software service. Socrates supports secure forensic evidence handling, case management, evidence matching, modus operandi matching and pattern recognition across apparently unrelated cases. Its modules support forensic intelligence work involving fingerprints, photographs, scene stains, footwear images and PACE DNA samples. Links to national databases, including the Police National Computer and DNA Match, help staff identify previous DNA records and individuals. The Footwear Intelligence Tool supports image uploads and potential matching by characteristics such as make and size. This is an IT software, support and related services requirement, delivered for the police in the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct, below-threshold procedure without competition. It was a single-lot requirement. The award was made on 31 July 2026 to NEC Software Solutions UK Limited and NEC (UK) Ltd. The awarded value is £50,830 excluding VAT, or £60,996 including VAT. The contract runs from 29 August 2026 to 31 March 2027, with an option to extend for one year, up to 31 March 2028. The award is active. The procurement used a direct award route rather than a competitive tender; the available record does not set out a separate quality, price or technical scoring basis. The requirement covers IT services for the Socrates software renewal and associated forensic functionality.

This award indicates an established police requirement for specialist forensic information technology rather than a general software platform. Suppliers would need capability in secure evidence handling, forensic case management and links to national policing databases. Relevant technical experience includes matching DNA, fingerprints, footwear and scene evidence, managing photographic and stain records, and identifying relationships between apparently unrelated cases. Credibility would also depend on supporting modular systems used by forensic intelligence staff, including image-based footwear comparison and post-arrest DNA sample tracking. Businesses with experience integrating operational software with police data sources, maintaining security-sensitive systems and providing dependable specialist support would be well placed when this requirement returns to market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Socrates Renewal

Notice Description

Socrates supports secure forensic evidence handling, case management, matching of evidence, Modus Operandi matching, and pattern recognition between apparently unrelated cases. It incorporates a large suite of modules. Links to national databases enable FIU staff to identify where someone has had their DNA taken previously, and who they are (PNC and DNA Match). Access to the Footwear Intelligence Tool enables FIU staff to upload images of footprints, and identify potential matches (make, size etc). FLARE, PRISM, SOCIMS, SOCCER and SOCKET provide tracking for fingerprints, photographs, scene stains and PACE DNA samples (where DNA has been taken post arrest) respectively.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067334
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082388-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£50,830 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
29 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
KIDLINGTON
Postcode
OX5 1NZ
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cherwell
Electoral Ward
Kidlington West
Westminster Constituency
Bicester and Woodstock

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

NEC Software Solutions UK Limited

Ne&c Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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