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HMPPS Prison Radio Communications Systems

Ministry of Justice

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2026 at 15:59

Award Notice
Planning

20 Jun 2025 at 17:46

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice procured a fully managed break-fix service for prison radio communications across the His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service estate in England and Wales. The requirement covers maintenance, support, repair and supply for TETRA networks, the mobile TETRA network, the AIRWAVE network access system and associated equipment, including systems at existing and future sites. The service includes all equipment and activities needed to keep the networks fully operational, together with technology refreshes to maintain resilience and continuity. Optional services may include additional equipment, infrastructure enhancements, technology upgrades and related support as operational requirements change. The procurement is primarily for communications network and equipment services, including installation and communications control systems (CPV 32344200).

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a selective call-off from Lot 5 of the GCA Vertical Application Solutions framework (RM6259). The early engagement period ended on 29 July 2025 and the tender deadline was 19 September 2025 at 4pm. The Ministry of Justice awarded the contract to Softcat PLC on 26 June 2026 for £57.4 million, with an initial contract period from 29 June 2026 to 28 June 2036. The procurement value was stated as between £1 and £57.4 million. The award is active and the contract allows extension for up to three additional years, to 28 June 2036. The requirement was evaluated within the framework call-off process and was not identified as suitable for SMEs or voluntary, community and social enterprises.

This award demonstrates sustained Ministry of Justice demand for resilient, managed radio communications across a large, geographically dispersed prison estate. Suppliers considering future work of this kind would need the capability to maintain and repair TETRA and AIRWAVE infrastructure, support network access systems and communications equipment, and keep services operational across existing and newly opened sites. Credible providers would also need capacity for nationwide field support, equipment supply, infrastructure enhancement and technology upgrades, alongside the ability to manage break-fix incidents and maintain service continuity. Experience of complex public-sector or secure-estate communications environments would be commercially relevant. The buyer’s use of a framework call-off and selection of a large supplier indicates that framework access, substantial delivery capacity and the ability to manage a long-term managed service are important competitive factors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

HMPPS Prison Radio Communications Systems

Notice Description

This contract provides a fully managed break fix service for the maintenance, support, repair and supply of Prison Radio Communications Systems and associated equipment across His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) estate. The contract is a call-off contract under Lot 5 of the GCA Vertical Application Solutions framework (RM6259). The initial period of the contract is 7 years with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years until 28/06/2036. The scope of the service covers the TETRA networks, mobile TETRA network, AIRWAVE network access system and equipment, in existing and any future new sites. The scope of the service will also encompass all the equipment and activities necessary to maintain the networks in full working order. The contract also includes the option for technology refreshes throughout the contract term to support continued operational resilience and service continuity for radio communications systems. In addition to the core managed service, the contract contains provisions for optional services and associated requirements that may be required during the contract term, including additional equipment, infrastructure enhancements, technology upgrades and related support services as operational needs evolve across the HMPPS estate

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ca4cb537-6c02-4d94-93d9-5850fdd47bd9
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f8b5bc8c-7ec2-4542-bedd-09db815c59c1
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

32344200 - Radio receivers

32412000 - Communications network

32570000 - Communications equipment

32573000 - Communications control system

35710000 - Command, control, communication and computer systems

35711000 - Command, control, communication systems

51300000 - Installation services of communications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£57,400,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£57,400,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
29 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
26 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
29 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Justice
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Softcat Plc

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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