Bristol City Council is inviting tenders for provision of a disclosure and barring service ‘DBS’ check platform, as our current contract is expiring in December 2020.

The DBS check solution currently in place is available to BCC and outside organisations for the processing of DBS checks online, as part of BCC’s statutory obligations. The current solution includes provision of an eBulk system for the processing of multiple DBS applications online, with full management information and reporting capabilities. This is supplied by an eBroker, who provides the online portal (eBulk) facility, but also countersigns our own DBS applications following Ministry of Justice and Home Office approval.

In alignment with our current service, this tender covers the provision of an eBulk platform for DBS checks, provided by an eBroker, to deliver the following:

• DBS checks for BCC staff and outside organisations (approximately 5 000 per annum), in line with standard eBulk processes;

• DBS checks for taxi drivers within BCC boundaries (1321 in 2018 and 841 in 2019). This will include the ability to bulk create accounts by the eBroker, plus the ability to customise the update notifications issued to taxi drivers;

• provide support with the DBS update service, to ensure applicants register, where required, within 28 days of certificate issue, including for taxi drivers, translators and interpreters;

• provide log-on details for DBS applications of all types and manage responses;

• eBroker capability, to enable the selected supplier to countersign our own DBS applications;

• unique website access to the eBulk portal for applicants, managers and system administrators;

• provision of raw data analysis, management information and reporting capability for managers and system administrators.