Tender

WP2248.1 & WP2248.2: SMS Provider(s) for GOV.UK Notify

CABINET OFFICE (GOVERNMENT DIGITAL SERVICE)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

05 Sep 2024 at 16:45

Tender

22 Aug 2024 at 18:33

Summary of the contracting process

The Cabinet Office's Government Digital Service (GDS) is currently in the Tender stage for procuring SMS providers for GOV.UK Notify, under the title "WP2248.1 & WP2248.2: SMS Provider(s) for GOV.UK Notify." This tender covers IT services, specifically consulting, software development, internet, and support, and it pertains to the delivery of text message notifications via API or web interface to public sector users. With a primary focus on resilient service via two concurrently integrated SMS suppliers, the procurement process includes a deadline for tender submissions on 25th September 2024. This procurement is being conducted through a competitive procedure with negotiation, ensuring a thorough and selective process to secure the best suppliers.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the IT and digital communication sectors, offering substantial growth potential. Companies specialising in SMS services and who can provide resilient and efficient communication solutions are particularly well-suited to compete. The ability to handle high-volume SMS traffic and integration capabilities will be key advantages for businesses aiming to collaborate with GDS. With a contract period potentially extending up to 36 months, including renewal options, this tender could provide long-term stability and partnership opportunities for successful bidders.

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Notice Title

WP2248.1 & WP2248.2: SMS Provider(s) for GOV.UK Notify

Notice Description

GOV.UK Notify is a digital communications platform, developed and run by the Government Digital Service (GDS). Notify allows public sector service teams to send notifications (text message, email and post) to their users. The notifications are typically status updates, requests for action, MFA codes, receipts of applications or supporting information, and reminders. The messages are sent via an API or manually through a web interface. Currently there are over 8,700 service teams using GOV.UK Notify, from over 1,500 public sector organisations across central and local government and the NHS. Notify sends an average of 3 million SMS fragments a day, regularly achieving peaks of 7 million. Many Notify services send messages that are longer than one fragment and the average message sent via Notify is 2 fragments long. Notify SMS messages have a high average delivery rate of 95.7%. Notify uses two concurrently integrated SMS suppliers to ensure a resilient service. Typically, traffic is shared between the two based on supplier performance (speed of processing) and load. Ultimately GDS reserves the right to allocate work between suppliers at its absolute discretion and there is no guarantee of volume as it's influenced by both government policy and how the services choose to use Notify.

Lot Information

Lot 1

As per attached docs; https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c9afefb6-26b6-4102-b081-e226304b837f

Options: 24 + 12 + 12 months

Renewal: Current contracts expire 31 March 2025. A new supplier would potentially require up-to 3 months to onboard.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04933b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028515-2024
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

64212100 - Short Message Service (SMS) services

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Sep 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
25 Sep 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CABINET OFFICE (GOVERNMENT DIGITAL SERVICE)
Contact Name
Commercial Team
Contact Email
gds-digital-buyer@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E1 8QS
Post Town
East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Whitechapel
Westminster Constituency
Bethnal Green and Stepney

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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