Preliminary Market Engagement (RFI) - DBS Security Operations Centre (SOC) service

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is progressing a major transformation of its legacy IT estate, moving to modern, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)–based applications. As part of this transformation, DBS intends to implement a modern, CREST accredited Security Operations Centre (SOC) service to protect and monitor its next-generation estate. DBS has previously undertaken market engagement under the Crown Commercial Service Framework RM3764.3 – Cyber Security Services 3. That exercise helped shape our proposed approach to contracting and identified the information that potential bidders would find most useful in an Invitation to Tender (ITT) process. Feedback from that earlier engagement has been incorporated into our updated approach, which we are now seeking to test through this further round of market engagement. This engagement will share: • Updated draft requirements and implementation expectations • A proposed pricing model template • Indicative volumes for the information we have available • Our intended contracting approach We will also seek feedback on the potential use of a simple Competitive Flexible procedure for the procurement, and will gauge the level of market interest in the opportunity. The objective is to ensure our requirements are aligned with market capabilities and expectations, and to refine our approach ahead of formal procurement. Planned Market Engagement Timeline: • Market Engagement Launch (RFI issued): 11 August 2025 • Market Engagement Close: 26 August 2025 For the avoidance of doubt, DBS does not commit to adopting the approach set out in the market engagement documentation for the subsequent procurement process. More information about DBS and its operations can be found at: Disclosure and Barring Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).