---
title: "Qualitative Research - British Sign Language Users on Rail"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "TRANSPORT FOCUS"
published: "2026-04-08"
---

# Qualitative Research - British Sign Language Users on Rail

Buyer: TRANSPORT FOCUS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce.json)

## Summary

The procurement process led by Transport Focus, a central government public authority based in London, focused on a qualitative research project titled "Qualitative Research - British Sign Language Users on Rail". The research is categorised under services and falls within the industry category of research services. The procurement process is an open competition, conducted below threshold, and it involved an award stage that was completed on 29th January 2026. The contract was awarded to the University of Manchester with the project commencing on 10th April 2026 and concluding on 30th June 2026. The procurement sought to gather insights on how BSL users prefer to receive passenger information across rail environments, touching upon aspects such as BSL dialects, interpreter preferences, and the integration of technology like AI into service delivery. The tender process included an enquiry period that ended on 8th January 2026 and a tender submission deadline of 15th January 2026.

This tender creates business growth opportunities for those with expertise in qualitative research, accessibility, and inclusive design, particularly within the rail sector. Organisations such as academic teams, research suppliers, and consortia, that can demonstrate strong experience with the d/Deaf and BSL user communities, were well-suited to compete. The opportunity requires conducting research in BSL or with high-quality interpreting support and translating complex insights into actionable recommendations. Suppliers capable of innovating with AI for BSL delivery can leverage this demand to develop pioneering solutions, thus enhancing their portfolio and expanding their client base within the public sector.

## Notice

The appointed supplier will work with Transport Focus and SISJ partners to design and deliver qualitative research addressing how BSL users want to receive passenger information across rail environments. If quantitative work is also considered to be feasible, then we would consider also including this. The areas to be covered are: Access and preferences * How BSL users prefer to access information across station, onboard and digital channels. * What constitutes an acceptable and desirable minimum viable product (MVP) for BSL provision. Content and language considerations * Expectations around regional BSL dialects and whether a single "universal" version is acceptable. * Preferences regarding interpreter choice, including lived experience of deafness. * Views on consistency versus localisation of BSL content. Physical and digital delivery * Expectations for placement, prominence and visibility of BSL information within station environments. * Integration with existing screens, boards or digital platforms. Technology and innovation * Perceptions of AI-generated BSL (including avatar-based and hybrid approaches). * Acceptability of AI in different contexts, such as planned information versus disruption. * Expectations around subtitling alongside BSL. User diversity * Based on demographics (age, gender, employment and income, presence of additional disabilities, region and nation, ethnic background), BSL fluency, hearing status, travel confidence, travel frequency and technology comfort. Methodological expectations A qualitative approach is essential. Proposals should demonstrate experience working with the d/Deaf community and may well include, some or all of: * Short desk research to inform fieldwork design. * Engagement with relevant stakeholders or expert organisations (such as BDA, RNID...). * Depth interviews, accompanied journeys, focus groups or online platforms where appropriate. * We would be open to other methods being included including quantitative surveys. Please note that it is essential that all recruitment and fieldwork is conducted using: * BSL-fluent moderation and appropriate interpreting support. * Inclusive and accessible research environments and materials.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032022-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 29 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 9 Apr 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £60,000 |
| Lots value | £60,000 |
| Awards value | £60,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | TRANSPORT FOCUS |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | East London |
| Postcode | E14 4QZ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI42 Tower Hamlets |
| Local authority | Tower Hamlets |
| Electoral ward | Canary Wharf |
| Westminster constituency | Poplar and Limehouse |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 8 Apr 2026 at 14:02 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032022-2026
- 23 Dec 2025 at 15:45 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085937-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032022-2026
  8th April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085937-2025
  23rd December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-9567
  Outline of requirement: Qualitative research project with users of British Sign Language to understand requirements for information when using rail.

## Notice URLs

- http://manchester.ac.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.transportfocus.org.uk

## 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-05fcce. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05fcce.json.