Planning

Prison Radio Communication Systems - Early Engagement Notice

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Jun 2025 at 16:46

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has issued an early engagement notice for a potential procurement opportunity titled "Prison Radio Communication Systems." This process is in the planning stage and aims to inform the market of a forthcoming procurement event anticipated to commence on 30th July 2025. The procurement pertains to the management and support of the MoJ's existing UHF TETRA radio systems across public prisons in England and Wales. The project falls under the industry category of Communications Network (CPV 32412000) and is expected to utilise Lot 5 (Blue Light Solutions) of the Crown Commercial Services Vertical Application Solutions Framework (RM6259). Interested suppliers are required to register on the MoJ's eSourcing system and submit non-disclosure agreements by 18th July 2025. The service is applicable to multiple regions in the United Kingdom, including London, the Midlands, and Wales, among others.

This tender provides significant growth potential for businesses experienced in managing communication networks and equipment, specifically those familiar with radio communication systems within high-security environments. SMEs are encouraged to participate, offering opportunities for those who can provide comprehensive maintenance and support services for specialised equipment. The procurement method involves a further competition process within an established framework, which allows pre-qualified suppliers listed in the framework to compete effectively. This opportunity is well-suited for enterprises with robust capabilities in handling large-scale and critical communication infrastructures, ensuring reliability and seamless operation across diverse correctional facilities.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Prison Radio Communication Systems - Early Engagement Notice

Notice Description

The purpose of this Notice is to inform the market of the potential opportunity for the provision of a managed Prison Radio Communication Systems service and the MoJ's intention to engage with potential suppliers through a further competition using Lot 5 (Blue Light Solutions) of the Vertical Application Solutions Framework (RM6259). The requirement is to take over the maintenance and support of the MoJ's existing fully managed break-fix maintenance and service support contract for all the UHF TETRA radio systems and all associated equipment (including radio terminals) deployed across the England & Wales public prison estate until such time an equipment refresh maybe undertaken. There are over 100 HMPPS publicly managed establishments using TETRA hand portable radios. These range from Young Offender Institutions (YOI) to High Security prisons, located in buildings which range from Victorian to modern House Blocks. The safety and security of staff and prisoners is critical, and the management and maintenance of effective communications systems is key. 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 prison TETRA network provides the following functions to sites and users - Management of talk groups - Management of status information - Handling and transfer of data from radio to computer systems - Management of users on the radio system - Lone worker functions - Control of radio resources i.e. issue to users - Audio processing, storage, and playback The Notice is to inform the market of the potential opportunity for the provision of a managed Prison Radio Communication Systems Service with options to refresh equipment during the term of the Contract. The MoJ intends to run a procurement using the further competition process to procure services from Lot 5 of the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Vertical Application Solutions (VAS) Framework (RM6259). It is anticipated that the procurement will commence on 30th July 2025. Interested Lot 5 framework suppliers must first be registered on the MoJ's esourcing system (https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/) and have signed a non-disclosure agreement to be given access to the procurement documents. To enable a non-disclosure agreement to be sent for signature, Lot 5 framework suppliers should provide contact details of their authorised signatory to FutureStaffRadios@Justice.gov.uk - no later than 18th July 2025. In advance of the ITT the MoJ will provide interested Lot 5 suppliers with: - Prison Radio Communication Services briefing document Additional information: Invitation to Tender (ITT) information for prospective suppliers on Lot 5 of the Vertical Application Solutions (VAS) Framework (RM6259) will be provided within the MoJ's eSourcing Portal, including all material relevant to the procurement. This Notice is for information purposes only. This Notice does not signify the beginning of a procurement and does not constitute a commitment by the MoJ to undertake any procurement exercise. When the MoJ decides to formally commence the procurement, the MoJ will issue a further competition in accordance with the Vertical Application Solutions (VAS) Framework (RM6259).

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/ac390ffd-e72b-4415-b2f3-790337699336
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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

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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
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
Post Town
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-ca4cb537-6c02-4d94-93d9-5850fdd47bd9-2025-06-20T17:46:20+01:00",
    "date": "2025-06-20T17:46:20+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-ca4cb537-6c02-4d94-93d9-5850fdd47bd9",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "title": "Prison Radio Communication Systems - Early Engagement Notice",
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "title": "Engagement end date",
                "type": "engagement",
                "dueDate": "2025-07-29T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "description": "Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ac390ffd-e72b-4415-b2f3-790337699336",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-20T17:46:20+01:00",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_304894/1492658",
        "title": "Prison Radio Communication Systems - Early Engagement Notice",
        "description": "The purpose of this Notice is to inform the market of the potential opportunity for the provision of a managed Prison Radio Communication Systems service and the MoJ's intention to engage with potential suppliers through a further competition using Lot 5 (Blue Light Solutions) of the Vertical Application Solutions Framework (RM6259). The requirement is to take over the maintenance and support of the MoJ's existing fully managed break-fix maintenance and service support contract for all the UHF TETRA radio systems and all associated equipment (including radio terminals) deployed across the England & Wales public prison estate until such time an equipment refresh maybe undertaken. There are over 100 HMPPS publicly managed establishments using TETRA hand portable radios. These range from Young Offender Institutions (YOI) to High Security prisons, located in buildings which range from Victorian to modern House Blocks. The safety and security of staff and prisoners is critical, and the management and maintenance of effective communications systems is key. 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 prison TETRA network provides the following functions to sites and users - Management of talk groups - Management of status information - Handling and transfer of data from radio to computer systems - Management of users on the radio system - Lone worker functions - Control of radio resources i.e. issue to users - Audio processing, storage, and playback The Notice is to inform the market of the potential opportunity for the provision of a managed Prison Radio Communication Systems Service with options to refresh equipment during the term of the Contract. The MoJ intends to run a procurement using the further competition process to procure services from Lot 5 of the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Vertical Application Solutions (VAS) Framework (RM6259). It is anticipated that the procurement will commence on 30th July 2025. Interested Lot 5 framework suppliers must first be registered on the MoJ's esourcing system (https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/) and have signed a non-disclosure agreement to be given access to the procurement documents. To enable a non-disclosure agreement to be sent for signature, Lot 5 framework suppliers should provide contact details of their authorised signatory to FutureStaffRadios@Justice.gov.uk - no later than 18th July 2025. In advance of the ITT the MoJ will provide interested Lot 5 suppliers with: - Prison Radio Communication Services briefing document Additional information: Invitation to Tender (ITT) information for prospective suppliers on Lot 5 of the Vertical Application Solutions (VAS) Framework (RM6259) will be provided within the MoJ's eSourcing Portal, including all material relevant to the procurement. This Notice is for information purposes only. This Notice does not signify the beginning of a procurement and does not constitute a commitment by the MoJ to undertake any procurement exercise. When the MoJ decides to formally commence the procurement, the MoJ will issue a further competition in accordance with the Vertical Application Solutions (VAS) Framework (RM6259).",
        "status": "planning",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "32412000",
            "description": "Communications network"
        },
        "additionalClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "32570000",
                "description": "Communications equipment"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "32573000",
                "description": "Communications control system"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "35710000",
                "description": "Command, control, communication and computer systems"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "35711000",
                "description": "Command, control, communication systems"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "51300000",
                "description": "Installation services of communications equipment"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "North East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Yorkshire and the Humber",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "West Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "London",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": false
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-189214",
            "name": "Ministry of Justice",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Ministry of Justice"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Ministry of Justice, 102 Petty France",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1H 9AJ",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "FutureStaffRadios@justice.gov.uk"
            },
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-189214",
        "name": "Ministry of Justice"
    }
}