This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

11 Sep 2025 at 14:42

Tender

20 Feb 2025 at 15:57

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Essex, along with its partner Dukefield Procurement Ltd, has established a framework for providing comprehensive communications and telecommunications solutions. Known under the Internal Reference Number UOE/DU/TELE/01, this framework is intended to be utilised by various public sector organisations across the UK. The procurement process adopted was an open procedure and covered multiple industry categories including telecommunications equipment and supplies. This procurement initiative was managed via an eTendering system, offering contractors transparency and efficiency in submissions. The official signing date for the contract was 11th September 2025, with a framework agreement characterised by active status of awarded lots: Unified Communications and Telephony, Network Connectivity, Mobile Communications, and a National One-Stop-Shop.

This framework agreement creates significant opportunities for businesses specialising in telecommunications solutions, particularly those offering services such as unified communications, telephony, network connectivity, and mobile communication solutions. The market is robust, with participation open to up to 40 potential suppliers across four lots. This open-ended framework allows businesses like Start Communications Group Ltd, Rydal Communications, Daisy Communications, and others to benefit by addressing the growing needs in public sector communication infrastructures. Companies adept in handling large-scale telecommunications projects and those capable of providing diverse, integrated services would be well-positioned to leverage the business growth opportunities presented by this framework.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Communications Solutions

Notice Description

The Framework will provide a comprehensive range of communications and telecommunications solutions. It is let by the University of Essex and is available for use by all organisations across the UK Public Sector (and any future successors). These include (but not limited to) central government departments and agencies, Non Departmental Public Bodies, NHS bodies, Local Authorities, Police Authorities, Emergency Services, Educational Establishments, Hospices, Registered Charities, National Parks, Registered Social Landlords and any other body permitted by the Contracting Authority. Full details of the classification of eligible end user organisations and geographical areas is available at: http://www.dukefieldprocurement.co.uk/fts-eligible-users The framework will be let across four Lots, with a maximum of 10 suppliers awarded a place on each of the Lots.

Lot Information

Unified Communications and Telephony

The Lot will involve, amongst other aspects, the supply of communications software, hardware, installation, training and support of communications supplies, services and solutions whereby users can use a multitude of different devices such as physical phones, software on laptops, PC's and apps on mobiles to make and receive calls via a telephony platform. The Lot will provide the intelligent combining of voice, video, instant messaging, mobile voice and data, and other multimedia services in a bespoke way depending on the end users' needs. This Lot will cover all encompassing solutions offering for example Desktop Agent/Supervisor, Contact Centre, Video Conferencing and Email/Text management functionality. It will also provide access to IP Telephony, Voice Over IP Services and Call Tariff Packages; encompassing the provision and support of IP solutions and Cyber Security provisions.

Network Connectivity

The supply, setup and support of networks and associated networking services. It addresses the supply and support of networks and associated networking services for the provision of managed connectivity for high bandwidth secure services and other communications and telecommunications requirements. This Lot also encompasses but is not limited to, the provision and support of digital connections, network equipment and servers, along with associated support services within premises, and will include Managed LAN services, Wi-Fi and Cyber Security provisions.

Mobile Communications

This Lot will provide access to all aspects of mobile communications and services by either Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) or Resellers - i.e., handsets, other devices, airtime - call time, data etc, associated value added services and Cyber Security provisions.

National One-Stop-Shop

This Lot will provide access to the entire suite of communications solutions, supplies and services detailed within the scope of Lots 1, 2 and 3 from a national one-stop-shop provision.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e55f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055855-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

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

45 - Construction work

48 - Software package and information systems

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

66 - Financial and insurance services

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

32237000 - Walkie-talkies

32250000 - Mobile telephones

32252100 - Hands-free mobile telephones

32252110 - Hands-free mobile telephones (wireless)

32260000 - Data-transmission equipment

32270000 - Digital transmission apparatus

32344220 - Radio pagers

32400000 - Networks

32412000 - Communications network

32412100 - Telecommunications network

32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies

32510000 - Wireless telecommunications system

32520000 - Telecommunications cable and equipment

32521000 - Telecommunications cable

32522000 - Telecommunications equipment

32523000 - Telecommunications facilities

32524000 - Telecommunications system

32543000 - Telephone switchboards

32546100 - Digital switchboards

32550000 - Telephone equipment

32570000 - Communications equipment

32571000 - Communications infrastructure

32572000 - Communications cable

32581000 - Data-communications equipment

35120000 - Surveillance and security systems and devices

35700000 - Military electronic systems

45232332 - Ancillary works for telecommunications

45314000 - Installation of telecommunications equipment

48000000 - Software package and information systems

48219700 - Communications server software package

48511000 - Desktop communications software package

48730000 - Security software package

48731000 - File security software package

48732000 - Data security software package

48760000 - Virus protection software package

48761000 - Anti-virus software package

48900000 - Miscellaneous software package and computer systems

50330000 - Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment

50331000 - Repair and maintenance services of telecommunications lines

50332000 - Telecommunications-infrastructure maintenance services

50333000 - Maintenance services of radio-communications equipment

51300000 - Installation services of communications equipment

64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services

64200000 - Telecommunications services

64210000 - Telephone and data transmission services

64212000 - Mobile-telephone services

64212700 - Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) services

64225000 - Air-to-ground telecommunications services

64227000 - Integrated telecommunications services

66131000 - Security brokerage services

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

72100000 - Hardware consultancy services

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

72210000 - Programming services of packaged software products

72212730 - Security software development services

72212731 - File security software development services

72212732 - Data security software development services

72212760 - Virus protection software development services

72212761 - Anti-virus software development services

72320000 - Database services

72400000 - Internet services

72420000 - Internet development services

72500000 - Computer-related services

72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

72700000 - Computer network services

72800000 - Computer audit and testing services

72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services

73421000 - Development of security equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£90,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£90,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£45,500,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Apr 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Sep 202511 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Essex
Additional Buyers

Dukefield Procurement Limited

Education

Public Sector

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BOLTON
Postcode
CO4 3SQ
Postcode Area
Colchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Colchester
Electoral Ward
Wivenhoe
Westminster Constituency
Harwich and North Essex

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
12
Supplier Names

Abzorb Ltd

Avoira Limited

Clarion Communication Systems

Currys t/a Currys Business

Daisy Communications

Exchange Communications Limited

Glide

Rydal Communications

Southern Communications Corporate Solutions

Start Communications Group Ltd

Talk Straight Ltd

Tel Group Ltd

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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