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Group messaging framework

Jisc

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 18:32

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

07 May 2026 at 16:18

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 15:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Jisc Services Limited, a subsidiary of Jisc, is seeking suppliers for a multi-supplier framework providing centrally hosted group SMS messaging services. The service must let customers send messages to individuals or groups through a secure web portal and associated application programming interfaces. Likely uses include emergency and business continuity alerts, student and learner communications, attendance and welfare notifications, timetable and course updates, appointment reminders, operational notices and other time-sensitive messages. Suppliers may also provide additional communication channels, integrations and automation. The primary market is UK education, research and public sector organisations, ranging from schools and colleges to universities, research organisations and public bodies. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. This is a services procurement for SMS messaging.

The procurement has reached tender: Jisc invited offers through an open procedure for one framework lot. Bids were due by 25 August 2026 at 12:00, with the award decision scheduled by 28 September 2026 at 23:59. The framework contract is planned to run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2030. Its gross estimated value is £6,000,000. Up to three suppliers may be appointed, with call-offs made by direct award or reopening competition. Evaluation is based on technical requirements (40%), price (30%) and demonstration (30%). Economic and technical selection criteria apply, with detailed requirements in the tender documents. A winning supplier pays a fee equivalent to 3.5% of the award value. Submissions and communications use Jisc’s e-tendering portal.

This opportunity suits SMS and communications technology providers able to operate a secure, centrally hosted messaging platform with web and API access. Strong candidates will demonstrate reliable delivery of individual and group messages for time-sensitive use cases, together with the technical ability to support customers at very different scales, from individual schools and colleges to large universities and public bodies. Experience of education, research or wider public-sector communications would be relevant, as would capability in emergency notification, welfare and attendance alerts, reminders, integrations, automation or additional communication channels. Suppliers should be prepared for technical assessment and a product demonstration, as well as meeting the stated economic and technical selection requirements. The framework is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Group messaging framework

Notice Description

Jisc Services Limited, a subsidiary of Jisc is the Contracting Authority. This document is the Invitation to tender (ITT) for Group messaging framework. Jisc Services Limited (JSL) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier framework to provide an SMS service for the Jisc community for a period of four (4) years commencing in October 2026. The framework provides a centrally hosted SMS group messaging platform that enables Customers to send messages to individuals or groups through a secure web-based portal and associated APIs. Typical use cases include emergency and business continuity notifications, student and learner communications, attendance and welfare alerts, timetable and course updates, appointment reminders, operational notifications, and other time-sensitive communications. Suppliers may also offer additional communication channels, integrations, and automation capabilities alongside the core SMS service. The service is primarily intended for the UK education, research and public sector communities and must be capable of supporting Customers ranging from individual schools and colleges to large universities, research organisations and public bodies.

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99513&B=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d681
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072933-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64212100 - Short Message Service (SMS) services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
25 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 May 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2030 4-5 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
Jisc
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6NB
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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