---
title: "Licencing and Regulation (L&R) Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Procurement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "TRANSPORT FOR LONDON"
published: "2025-12-04"
---

# Licencing and Regulation (L&R) Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Procurement

Buyer: TRANSPORT FOR LONDON  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76

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## Summary

The procurement process is being initiated by Transport for London (TfL) for the "Licencing and Regulation (L&R) Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Procurement" to enhance public and passenger safety through licensing activities for taxi and private hire drivers, proprietors, and operators, including the introduction of Pedicab licensing in London. Categorised under administration, defence, and social security services, and business services including law and consulting, this tender aims to ensure enhanced DBS checks for applicants and provide a robust online application and payment system along with API integration. The procurement is currently in the Tender stage with a selective, competitive flexible procedure. Interested parties must register by 6th January 2026 to participate, with the contract award period scheduled to end by 17th July 2026. Covering multiple regions across the United Kingdom, this procurement is valued up to £23,000,000, with Transport for London acting as the central government authority overseeing this process.

This tender presents a substantial growth opportunity for businesses specialising in DBS checks, online application systems, and administrative services. Companies with expertise as DBS registered umbrella bodies, and those capable of delivering user-friendly web portals and real-time check services, are particularly well-suited to compete. The contract seeks technical, commercial, and social value capabilities, with emphasis on carbon reduction efforts. The evaluation includes criteria targeting quality and pricing, offering suppliers the chance to enhance their technical offerings and contribute to public safety in London. The three-stage procurement process allows for strategic participation, with top suppliers progressing to the tender phase based on initial scoring. This opens doors for businesses committed to meeting comprehensive DBS standards and dealing with both domestic and international operators.

## Notice

The L&R licensing activities for taxi, private hire drivers, taxi proprietors and private hire operators, are currently delivered by directly employed TfL staff. As part of the licensing process, staff need to verify a DBS Check has been completed and applicants are fit and proper persons to hold the licence applied for. Public and passenger safety is a priority for TfL. Once licensed, a driver will be in day-to-day contact with members of the public, including children and vulnerable adults. It is therefore essential to ensure that applicants are of good character and are a 'fit and proper' person before they become a licensed driver. Taxi and PHV driver licences are valid for a period of three (3) years. Private hire operator licences are valid for up to five (5) years, and taxi and private hire vehicle licences are valid for one (1) year. TfL is also looking to introduce Pedicab licensing in London. This is currently undergoing review and consultation, so full requirements are in progress and anticipated to be finalised and included in the Contract prior to Contract Award. The primary aims of the service are to ensure: - All new applicants for a taxi and private hire driver's licence, have had an enhanced DBS check including checks of the Barred Lists. Pedicab drivers may also have to have these checks but this is subject to consultation; - All licensed taxi and private hire drivers have had an enhanced DBS check including checks of the Barred Lists. Pedicab drivers may also have to have these checks, but this is subject to consultation; - All private hire operators have a basic DBS check with every new and renewal application, a further basic DBS check annually on the anniversary of the licence issue. Pedicab operators may also have to have these checks, but this is subject to consultation; - Dial-a-Ride drivers and staff have DBS checks to the required standard dependant on role; - ID document checks to meet the DBS requirements; - Offer basic checks for taxi vehicle owners as required. Pedicab vehicle owners may also have to have these checks, but this is subject to consultation; - Offer an option for private hire operators who live overseas (TfL do not envisage large numbers of these), this is operators where they have lived their whole life overseas and not in UK; -Any other DBS checks that TfL may require (for example: any additional TfL employees, etc); - Provide a user-friendly DBS application with an online service and a paper version if needed; - Meet all required security and privacy standards; - Provide an API Interface into the Licensing System. The Licensing System administers the licensing of drivers, operators and vehicles; - Provide a user-friendly Web Portal that allows and encourages applicants to apply online for the appropriate level of DBS check, make an online payment for their DBS check and track the status of their application; - Provide a solution to check real time results and status of the DBS check; - Provide an administrative service to request paper disclosures where there is content and upload for TfL to access; - A DBS registered umbrella body company are required to provide the services and shall adhere to the DBS code of practice and guidance including all DBS stipulated requirements and standards.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: An option to extend for a maximum of two years.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079593-2025 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 4 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £21,250,000 |
| Lots value | £21,250,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | TRANSPORT FOR LONDON |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | East London |
| Postcode | E20 1JN |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI41 Hackney and Newham |
| Local authority | Newham |
| Electoral ward | Stratford Olympic Park |
| Westminster constituency | Stratford and Bow |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 75000000 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

## Release History

- 4 Dec 2025 at 09:57 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079593-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079593-2025
  4th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://s1-eu.ariba.com/Sourcing/Main/ad/selfRegistration?realm=TfL
- https://s1-eu.ariba.com/Sourcing/Main/ad/selfRegistration?realm=TfLPleaseregisterforSAPAribaattheabovelink.Onceregisteredpleasecontactpatrickhorne@tfl.gov.uktobeinvitedtoparticipateintheITP/PSQstage.Youwillthenbeabletoaccessthedocumentationandquestionsrelevantforthisprocurement.AllClarificationsonceaddedshouldbesubmittedviaSAPAriba.AnyissueswithregisteringpleasecontactPatrickontheaboveemail.
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ee76.json.