BLC0307 - National Framework for Police Initial Entry Routes, Accreditation and Apprenticeships

BlueLight Commercial Limited is establishing an open national framework for police initial entry routes, accreditation, and apprenticeships for police forces across England and Wales. The framework is divided into four primary lots: Lot 1a for Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) delivery for English forces, Lot 1b for PCDA delivery for Welsh forces, Lot 2 for the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), Lot 3 for accreditation services, and Lot 4 for various police-related apprenticeships. The estimated total value of the framework is 648 million GBP excluding VAT, with a projected performance period from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2035. The framework is designed to reopen at years three and five, with a maximum total duration of eight years. Award decisions will be based on a weighting of 70 percent for quality, which includes technical questions and a 10 percent social value component, and 30 percent for pricing. Multiple suppliers will be awarded positions on each lot, and services will be called off via direct award or further competition. Bidders for Lots 1a, 1b, and 2 must possess Degree Awarding Powers granted by the Office for Students under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, and those delivering to Welsh forces must comply with Welsh Language legal requirements. A 1 percent management fee on income received is payable to BlueLight Commercial. The submission deadline for this solicitation is 20 November 2026.