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Emergency Services Network (ESN) End User Devices

Home Office

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

12 Jun 2026 at 17:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 Apr 2026 at 18:19

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

23 Jul 2025 at 16:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Jul 2025 at 09:30

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Home Office is initiating a tender process titled "Emergency Services Network (ESN) End User Devices" with a focus on delivering mobile communication devices tailored for the Emergency Services Network. This procurement, following a selective and competitive flexible procedure, seeks to engage suppliers for the provision of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices. Through this process, various lots will be awarded, including rugged smartphones, featurephones, non-rugged smartphones, and fixed vehicle devices, all designed to support mission-critical communications within the UK. The procurement stage is currently active, and the deadlines for expression of interest and enquiries are set for 10 July 2026 and 7 July 2026 respectively. The intended contract period is from February 2027 to January 2029, with evaluation of PSQ responses beginning on 23 June 2026.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in mobile communication technologies, telecommunications services, and software development. SMEs are particularly encouraged to participate, given the project's scale and the strategy of awarding multiple contracts to ensure diversity and resilience in the supply chain. Businesses proficient in device development, testing, ESN certification, and those who can meet comprehensive security standards and support mission-critical communications will be well-suited to compete. Such engagement can not only enhance the participating companies' portfolios but also align them with government procurement strategies and expand their market presence within public sector frameworks.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Emergency Services Network (ESN) End User Devices

Notice Description

The procurement will contract for commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) mobile communication devices to be developed by successful suppliers to meet ESN technical, security and public safety requirements, in order to achieve ESN certification. Individual contracts will be awarded for each device selected. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Bidder is awarded multiple contracts, a separate contract will have to be signed for each individual device. The Authority intends to award contracts to suppliers in order to maximise choice and operational resilience. The maximum numbers of contracts to be awarded in each lot are as follows: Lot 1 - 5 Lot 2 - 2 Lot 3 - 2 Lot 4 - 4 The award of contracts is also subject to the following rules: 1. For Lots 1 and 4, the Authority will, as default, award only four and three contracts respectively. However, the Authority requires one or more dual mode devices (ESN plus Tetra DMO) in each lot in addition to devices solely for use on the ESN. If the leading four bids making up the target number of contracts by Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) score do not include a bid for a dual mode device, the Authority may award a fifth contract to a supplier offering a dual mode device based on the highest MAT score for that device. 2. Where a Bidder is relying on a sub-contractor to fulfil its contractual obligations and more than one bid is submitted based on the same device and/or sub-contractor under these conditions, the Authority reserves the right to award a contract only to the Bidder achieving the highest MAT score. If this rule is invoked by the Authority and the MAT rankings of the relevant bidders under the rule are above that of the lowest ranking Bidder awarded a contract, the Authority reserves the right to award a contract to the Bidder or Bidders with the highest MAT ranking or rankings immediately below that of the lowest ranking successful bidder. However, the Authority is not obligated to do so. For example, if four contracts are to be awarded in Lot 1 and two relevant bidders under this rule are placed first and third on MAT ranking, the Authority will only award a contract to the first ranked Bidder and reserves the right to award a further contract to the fifth ranked bidder if different to the first and third. 3. If both this rule and rule 1 are invoked together in any Lot, the Authority reserves the right only to award any additional contract to the highest MAT ranked bid offering a dual mode device. 4. Where a Bidder submits multiple bids for places on the same Lot, the Authority reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to only award contracts to up to two of those bids with the highest Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) scores provided that those scores place both bids within the maximum number of contracts to be awarded in the lot. The scope of this procurement is limited to device development, testing and ESN certification activities. The routine supply of certified devices, accessories and associated services to operational users is expected to be delivered through call-off contracts under GCA's NS4 framework (RM6377). However, the Authority may procure some developed Devices for purposes such as testing and trials. These will not be for full operational use.

Lot Information

ESN Rugged Smartphone

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Rugged Smartphone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services and, where offered, optional Dual Mode capability incorporating TETRA Direct Mode Operation. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority's defined technical requirements to support operational use in demanding emergency service and responder environments. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

ESN Rugged Featurephone

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Rugged Feature Phone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), designed to support mission critical voice and data services, and where offered, optional dual mode capability incorporating TETRA functionality. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority's defined technical requirements for ruggedisation, usability, controls, audio, battery operation, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use in demanding emergency service and responder environments. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

ESN Non-rugged Smartphone

Development of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) Non-Rugged Smartphone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority's defined technical requirements for usability, performance, operating system compatibility, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use by emergency service and responder organisations. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

ESN Fixed Vehicle Device

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Fixed Vehicle Devices for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority's defined technical requirements for in-vehicle use, usability, audio performance, connectivity, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use by emergency service and responder. Devices within this Lot may also offer optional Dual Mode capability incorporating TETRA Direct Mode Operation. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Planning Information

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, through the ESMCP, is launching preliminary market engagement regarding a forthcoming opportunity to obtain places on a procurement framework for the provision of mobile communication devices for the Emergency Services Network (ESN). ESMCP has been assessing the devices market for several years and, following recent developments on the ESN programme, is now in a position to invite all interested suppliers to participate in this preliminary market engagement. This will involve the opportunity to review and respond to the detailed technical and service requirements for each of up to six end user device categories, namely: • ESN rugged handheld device • ESN rugged dual mode handheld device (ESN plus Tetra radio) • ESN non-rugged handheld device • ESN intrinsically safe handheld device • ESN handheld featurephone device • ESN fixed vehicle device This preliminary market engagement is targeted to launch week commencing 28 July with suppliers given three weeks to respond. There will also be the opportunity to participate in a supplier webinar. ESMCP will brief registered suppliers on forthcoming tender activity and timelines as well as desired procurement outcomes and the future framework. Suppliers will have the opportunity to ask written questions during the webinar or afterwards. All questions and answers will be shared on an anonymised basis. The set date for the webinar is to be confirmed but it is expected to take place in mid-August 2025 with the remainder of the month available for suppliers to ask any further follow-up questions. Registration using the Registration Instructions below will be taken as an expression of interest in both events. Engagement process description Signature of a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will be needed before participation. If a relevant NDA is not in place, please request an NDA document when registering interest using the Registration Instructions below. Following this market engagement, in order to participate in any subsequent procurement, it will be mandatory for interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service. This only needs to be done once, and so suppliers are advised to do this at their earliest convenience. It is anticipated that the potential procurement will be progressed using the Competitive Flexible procedure utilising Procurement Act 2023. Registration Instructions Interested suppliers should register interest in participating in the preliminary market engagement and, where necessary, may request an NDA to be signed prior to participation in the preliminary market engagement by emailing esmcpsupplier@homeoffice.gov.uk by 28 July 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055738
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055923-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

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

CPV Codes

32250000 - Mobile telephones

64200000 - Telecommunications services

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

72254000 - Software testing

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
29 May 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Home Office
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
SW1P 4DF
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
Not specified
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

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