Award

Spectrum Licensing System

OFCOM

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

14 Jan 2026 at 11:39

Award

21 Jul 2025 at 09:52

AwardUpdate

01 Jul 2025 at 14:57

Award

01 Jul 2025 at 13:29

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, managed by Ofcom, pertains to the "Spectrum Licensing System" aimed at maintaining, supporting, and developing services related to spectrum and broadcast licensing. This process, classified under the industry-specific software package category, was executed through a direct award to LS Telcom AG due to the proprietary nature of the required services and technical exclusivity. The contract, covering a five-year period with an option for a five-year extension, commenced on 1st January 2026 and is set to end on 31st December 2030. Ofcom's headquarters is located in London, United Kingdom, with LS Telcom AG situated in Lichtenau, Germany, marking the collaboration between the UK public authority and a large-scale supplier. The procurement method followed the guidelines of the Procurement Act 2023 due to the unique and complex nature of services needed.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for firms capable of supporting or integrating with the existing spectrum management systems, particularly those with an expertise in industry-specific software development. Firms that specialise in regulatory compliance and the development of licenses may find alternative opportunities with Ofcom, especially for new or simpler license types. While LS Telcom AG holds exclusive rights to current maintenance and development operations, other businesses that can offer complementary services or innovative solutions may benefit from future procurement processes if Ofcom seeks additional development options outside the existing framework.

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Notice Title

Spectrum Licensing System

Notice Description

As part of our statutory duties Ofcom is required under the Wireless Telegraphy (WT) Act to authorise the use of spectrum by radio equipment. Unless such use of a spectrum band is explicitly exempt by regulation, use is authorised through the issuance of an appropriate spectrum license and collection of the required fees. This contract consolidates into a single contract a range of maintenance, support and development agreements for services related to Spectrum and Broadcast licensing.

Procurement Information

Ofcom intend to enter into a five-year agreement with LS Telcom AG with the option to extend the term by a further one five-year period. The agreement is being entered into on a single source basis in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023 as competition is absent for technical reasons to deliver maintenance and operational development services for Ofcom's spectrum licensing system which is licensed by LS Telcom AG (the "System"). A direct award to LS Telcom AG is appropriate as they are the only firm that can realistically provide the services, and competition is absent for technical reasons as follows: * A significant portion of the services, those related to maintenance, involve making change to software code that is owned by and proprietary to LS Telecom and therefore cannot reasonably be performed by other suppliers. * Similar constraints apply to development services - no other supplier is licensed to use and develop the System. Therefore, if development services are not secured from LS Telecom an alternative spectrum management system would be required. * The nature of the services required are highly specialised. * With respect to development of new licence types and in particular those that are not tied to the existing LS Telcom implementation, Ofcom remains open to alternative development options. A number of simpler licences have been implemented in alternative licencing systems. Moving to a new system would require a major new programme with sizable operational and financial risk. Such a programme would take many months to articulate and years to implement which is not practicable as the System requires regular updating in response to regulatory changes. The cost and time taken to undertake a change in Ofcom's spectrum licensing system would not offer value for money and would far exceed the cost of continuing with the System, which is working effectively. For these reasons and because the System is not capable of being licensed / sub-licensed to other suppliers, paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 (single supplier: exclusive rights) also applies.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003045-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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


CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£24,600,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£24,600,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFCOM
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementnotice@ofcom.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 9HA
Post Town
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LS TELCOM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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