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Department for Transport - RFI - PDF Accessibility Tagging Services

THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Aug 2026 at 09:20

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Jul 2026 at 11:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport intends to re-procure an external supplier for PDF accessibility tagging services. The work will involve creating accessible PDF files and reviewing and remediating PDFs that are untagged or incorrectly tagged. The supplier will need to understand how PDF tagging supports accessibility, including compliance with at least the WCAG 2.0 standard. The procurement is for services delivered in the United Kingdom, for the Department for Transport. The related service areas include content or data standardisation and classification, and software configuration. It is structured as a single service requirement. The work is relevant to accessibility specialists, document remediation providers, digital publishing businesses and software or content services firms with practical PDF accessibility experience and the operational capacity to deliver a sustained external service.

This procurement is at the planning stage and the buyer is conducting a Request for Information, rather than inviting tenders. Suppliers can request the RFI pack by email and are expected to submit responses by 24 August 2026. Questions and clarifications are expected by 12 August 2026 at 12:00. The buyer currently anticipates publishing a future notice on 15 October 2026. The planned contract is expected to run from 30 October 2026 to 29 October 2029, with a possible extension to 29 October 2030. The estimated value is £700,000 excluding VAT, or £840,000 including VAT. The procurement is above the relevant threshold, comprises one lot, and is expected to include a renewal option. An amendment says the engagement deadline was extended to allow a wider range of supplier responses.

The work is likely to suit suppliers that can demonstrate hands-on experience creating accessible PDFs and assessing existing files against accessibility requirements. Strong candidates will have detailed knowledge of PDF tagging and practical capability to identify and correct structural or tagging defects across untagged and incorrectly tagged documents. Experience working to at least WCAG 2.0 will be important, alongside sufficient production capacity to handle the Department for Transport’s external service requirement over a multi-year contract. Accessibility consultancies, document remediation specialists, digital content providers and firms combining technical configuration with content quality assurance should consider preparing evidence of relevant delivery work, quality controls and available staff. The buyer has indicated that small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises are suitable for this requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Department for Transport - RFI - PDF Accessibility Tagging Services

Notice Description

DfT is re-procuring a contract for an external Supplier with practical experience and capacity to create accessible PDF files and to review and remediate untagged or incorrectly tagged PDF files. The Supplier must have a detailed understanding of tagging PDF files for accessibility to, at least, WCAG 2.0 standard.

Planning Information

Dear Supplier, The Department for Transport is looking for Suppliers to complete a Request for Information (RFI) relating to the provision of PDF Accessibility Tagging Services for the Department for Transport. Key Points: • Please email DDaT.CRM@dft.gov.uk for a copy of the RFI pack • Please submit your response via email to DDaT.CRM@dft.gov.uk by 24th August 2026 • Please direct any questions or clarifications to DDaT.CRM@dft.gov.uk by 12th August 2026 at 12:00 We greatly appreciate your input and thank you for your time. We look forward to receiving your response.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d2fe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073454-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72265000 - Software configuration services

72330000 - Content or data standardization and classification services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Oct 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Oct 2026 - 29 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
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
SW1P 4DR
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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