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Understanding BSL Users Experiences of Access Services on TV and VoD platforms

OFCOM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Jul 2026 at 14:41

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ofcom commissioned market research services to understand British Sign Language (BSL) users’ experiences and preferences when using access services on linear television and video-on-demand platforms. The research covers linear TV, broadcaster video-on-demand and subscription video-on-demand services, including viewing preferences by genre and programme type. It examines practical experiences of watching sign-presented and sign-interpreted programmes, satisfaction with BSL and other access services, preferences for subtitles, and expectations for future provision. It also considers audiences’ understanding of the regulatory landscape and funding arrangements, and the relationship between BSL programming, signing, the wider BSL cultural landscape and demand for professional BSL interpreters. The procurement is for Ofcom, a UK public authority.

The procurement has completed and the contract was awarded to Open Inclusion Limited following a below-threshold limited competition. One lot was completed, with an active award for services. The contract was signed on 13 May 2026 and runs from 13 May 2026 to 30 November 2026. Its value is £83,899 excluding VAT and £100,678.80 including VAT. The work is classified as market research services. The selected supplier is an SME. The requirement was evaluated through the limited-competition route; the available information does not set out the detailed award criteria. The contract is active, so the procurement outcome is an established appointment rather than an opportunity to submit a tender for this requirement.

This outcome indicates demand for specialist research into the experiences of BSL users across television and video-on-demand services. Suppliers seeking to compete for comparable Ofcom work would need credible market-research capability, with the ability to recruit and engage BSL users and capture their experiences, preferences and satisfaction in an accessible way. Relevant expertise includes research across linear TV, broadcaster video-on-demand and subscription video-on-demand, audience segmentation by genre and viewing behaviour, and analysis of sign-presented, sign-interpreted and subtitled content. A strong competitor would also understand access-service provision, the regulatory and funding context, the cultural significance of BSL programming and the implications for professional BSL interpreter demand.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Understanding BSL Users Experiences of Access Services on TV and VoD platforms

Notice Description

The main objective for this research is to explore and understand BSL users' experiences and preferences for access services across VoD and linear TV. In more detail, this includes: * Explore the different types of services currently used, and understand preferences for particular services (i.e. linear TV/ BVoD/ SVoD) o How do these preferences vary and why? E.g. by genre or by viewing preferences * Explore and understand practical experiences of watching programmes with access services, including understanding access to sign-presented or sign-interpreted programming * Explore and understand satisfaction with provision of BSL and other relevant access services across linear TV and VoD, including preferences for sign-presented or sign-interpreted programming o Do audiences have different preferences for sign-presented or sign-interpreted programming? Do these vary by e.g. genre, types of programme, type of service? Are there circumstances in which the relevant audiences prefer subtitles? * Understanding audiences' expectations for future provision of access services o What would they like to see change? o What could providers do to improve access services? * Explore audiences understanding of the current regulatory landscape around access services on linear TV and VoD services, including understanding of funding arrangements * Explore the relationships between BSL programming and signing more broadly, seeking to understand the impact for audiences on the cultural landscape and BSL community as well as implications for current demand on professional BSL interpreters.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d103
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069239-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£83,899 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
13 May 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 9HA
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OPEN INCLUSION LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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