TENDER FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES NETWORK (ESN) END USER DEVICES HOME OFFICE

The procurement will contract for commercially available off‑the‑shelf (COTS) mobile communication devices to be developed by successful suppliers to meet ESN technical, security and public safety requirements, in order to achieve ESN certification.

Individual contracts will be awarded for each device selected. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Bidder is awarded multiple contracts, a separate contract will have to be signed for each individual device.

The Authority intends to award contracts to suppliers in order to maximise choice and operational resilience. The maximum numbers of contracts to be awarded in each lot are as follows:

Lot 1 – 5

Lot 2 – 2

Lot 3 – 2

Lot 4 – 4

The award of contracts is also subject to the following rules:

1. For Lots 1 and 4, the Authority will, as default, award only four and three contracts respectively. However, the Authority requires one or more dual mode devices (ESN plus Tetra DMO) in each lot in addition to devices solely for use on the ESN. If the leading four bids making up the target number of contracts by Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) score do not include a bid for a dual mode device, the Authority may award a fifth contract to a supplier offering a dual mode device based on the highest MAT score for that device.

2. Where a Bidder is relying on a sub-contractor to fulfil its contractual obligations and more than one bid is submitted based on the same device and/or sub-contractor under these conditions, the Authority reserves the right to award a contract only to the Bidder achieving the highest MAT score.

If this rule is invoked by the Authority and the MAT rankings of the relevant bidders under the rule are above that of the lowest ranking Bidder awarded a contract, the Authority reserves the right to award a contract to the Bidder or Bidders with the highest MAT ranking or rankings immediately below that of the lowest ranking successful bidder. However, the Authority is not obligated to do so.

For example, if four contracts are to be awarded in Lot 1 and two relevant bidders under this rule are placed first and third on MAT ranking, the Authority will only award a contract to the first ranked Bidder and reserves the right to award a further contract to the fifth ranked bidder if different to the first and third.

3. If both this rule and rule 1 are invoked together in any Lot, the Authority reserves the right only to award any additional contract to the highest MAT ranked bid offering a dual mode device.

4. Where a Bidder submits multiple bids for places on the same Lot, the Authority reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to only award contracts to up to two of those bids with the highest Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) scores provided that those scores place both bids within the maximum number of contracts to be awarded in the lot.

The scope of this procurement is limited to device development, testing and ESN certification activities. The routine supply of certified devices, accessories and associated services to operational users is expected to be delivered through call‑off contracts under GCA’s NS4 framework (RM6377). However, the Authority may procure some developed Devices for purposes such as testing and trials. These will not be for full operational use.

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Rugged Smartphone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services and, where offered, optional Dual Mode capability incorporating TETRA Direct Mode Operation. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements to support operational use in demanding emergency service and responder environments. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Rugged Feature Phone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), designed to support mission critical voice and data services, and where offered, optional dual mode capability incorporating TETRA functionality. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements for ruggedisation, usability, controls, audio, battery operation, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use in demanding emergency service and responder environments. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Development of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) Non-Rugged Smartphone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements for usability, performance, operating system compatibility, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use by emergency service and responder organisations. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Fixed Vehicle Devices for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements for in-vehicle use, usability, audio performance, connectivity, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use by emergency service and responder. Devices within this Lot may also offer optional Dual Mode capability incorporating TETRA Direct Mode Operation. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Bidders will be required to complete a Financial Viability Risk Assessment (FVRA). This is included in the Bidder Prior Screening Phase. This is intended to inform the Authority of any financial risks a Bidder may carry and any mitigations that may need to be put in place.

The Authority may, at its own discretion, require mitigation from a Bidder for any assessable metrics scoring in the two highest risk categories in order for that Bidder to remain included in the tender process.

Insurances will be required from winning Bidders for contracts to be entered into as follows:

Third Party and Product Liability: £10,000,000 per occurrence, number of annual occurrences unlimited except for products and pollution liability with annual liability limited to £10,000,000 in total.

Professional Indemnity Insurance: £5,000,000 in respect of any one claim and in the aggregate per annum.

United Kingdom compulsory insurances under applicable law in full including UK employer’s liability insurance and motor third part liability insurance.

Questions on relevant supplier capability and experience will be issued as part of the tender process under the Competitive Flexible Procedure.

https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html

The tender process will consist of the following stages:

1. Bidder Prior Screening

Registered bidders will be asked to complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). This will consist of questions in areas including:

a. Bidder financial standing

b. Sub-contractors and supply chain

c. UK national security

d. Broader UK legal compliance e.g. with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Modern Slavery Act 2015

e. Conditions of Participation

For bidders to express their interest and gain access to the PSQ, they must follow this link to an initial front door event within the Home Office’s e-sourcing portal: https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/go/37982174019EA78A85D1

Please note that bidders must be already logged into the Jaggaer site for this link to work.

Entry to this initial front door area will allow the Authority to confirm that a Bidder holds a valid Non Disclosure Agreement for the Devices Procurement. Once confirmed that Bidder will be given access to the PSQ event.

The PSQ will be open for Bidder response until 18:00 Friday 10 July 2026.

The Authority aims to begin evaluation of PSQ responses from Tuesday 23 June 2026. If the Authority requires further information or mitigation from a Bidder, they will be contacted at the earliest opportunity.

It is anticipated that bidders who have been successful in the PSQ evaluation will be given access to the invitation to tender (ITT) bid documents as soon as the ITT launches, which is expected from 1 July 2026. If a bidder responds to the PSQ after the launch of the ITT, that bidder will only be granted ITT access assuming successful evaluation of their PSQ. Please note that the Authority may take up to 5 working days to evaluate any submitted PSQ.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority at its sole discretion can alter these dates or issue the bid documents to a Bidder prior to the provision of additional requested information or mitigation following their PSQ submission. However, a Non-Disclosure Agreement must be in place and the Authority reserves the right to exclude that relevant Bidder at any point following bid document issue if the risks highlighted by the PSQ cannot be mitigated to a suitable level.

2. Written Tender Response

a. Mandatory Bidder Information, Confirmations and Compliance Section

b. Responses to questions on relevant supplier capability and experience. These will cover:

i. Design and delivery of technical solutions

ii. Quality assurance and testing processes

iii. Processes and capabilities for support of devices across their lifecycle.

iv. Warranty support and maintenance of compliance standards following software and other changes.

v. Security processes

vi. Risk management

vii. Supply chain management

c. Compliance responses to detailed mandatory and optional requirements (“Shalls” and “Shoulds”) consisting of compliance statements and an invitation to provide brief information about the relevant existing capability or development pathway to compliance including timelines to availability of device for call-off. There will be a requirement set covering all devices and a further set for each category of device.

d. Committed date by which Development will have been carried out for compliance with requirements under Item b. NB. Successful bidders will be expected to commit to this date under contract.

e. Pricing information for devices and related items.

f. Responses to social value questions.

3. Presentation to Contract Authority Evaluators

Bidders who have not been excluded due to non-compliance with mandatory requirements at the written tender stage will be invited to present to the Evaluators. The presentation will consist of the following:

a. Presenting the device to be developed to the ESN specifications according to the Bidder’s written tender.

b. Presenting the pathway to device development including development processes and information on how high priority developments for the Authority will be achieved.

c. Answering questions from the Authority on the presnetation’s content.

There will be provision for the Contracting Authority to refine requirements and award criteria depending on the outcome of stages 2 and 3. In the circumstance that the Contracting Authority proposes requirement and/or award criteria refinement under this provision, all previously non-excluded suppliers will be given the opportunity to re-submit revised tenders in response.

Invitation to Tender (ITT) following PSQ evaluation, as per this UK4. Relevant technical data to enable bidders to submit tenders.

These documents will be provided via the Home Office Procurement Portal to all bidders who pass Authority pre-screening.

2 Marsham Street

London

SW1P 4DF

United Kingdom

Email: esmcpsupplier@homeoffice.gov.uk

Region: UKI32 – Westminster

Organisation type: Public authority – central government