This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

07 May 2026 at 15:18

Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 15:40

Summary of the contracting process

The current procurement process, led by Jisc, a public authority operating under sub-central government in the United Kingdom, concerns a "Group Messaging Framework". It falls within the industry category of Short Message Service (SMS) services and is geographically focused across the UK. Currently in the planning stage, this procurement aims to establish a framework of SMS suppliers accessible to educational and research bodies connected with the Janet network. Jisc plans to appoint suppliers via an open procurement procedure, starting October 2026 and concluding by the end of September 2030. As this initiative is still in its planning phase, Jisc has stressed that published dates and values are provisional. A future notice about this tender is expected by 31st May 2026, highlighting the project's transparency and their advance market awareness efforts.

This procurement initiative presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those capable of providing innovative SMS messaging services and platforms that can integrate with modern communication technologies like Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, and Slack. By entering this framework, suppliers gain access to clients within the extensive Janet network, allowing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) to expand their client base and service offerings. Businesses skilled in SMS infrastructures, capable of supporting continuous operation and maintenance, will find this tender suited to their strengths, offering versatility in communication solutions to a sector eager to evolve its messaging capabilities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Group messaging framework

Notice Description

Jisc operate a UK-wide SMS (text messaging) service designed primarily for universities, colleges, and other education and research organisations connected to the Janet network. The service is a framework of approved SMS suppliers that Janet-connected customers can access source a supplier to buy and run messaging services. The core purpose of the service is to enable operators at each user organisation to manipulate text messages and send them to designated users. The service must provide the ability for authorised administrators at each organisation to manage operator accounts, including their creation and deletion. Appointment to the framework will be via a competitive PA23 procurement procedure. * This notice is issued for transparency and advance market awareness only. It does not constitute the commencement of a procurement process, an invitation to tender, or a commitment by Jisc to procure any goods, services, or works. * Any contract values stated in this notice are indicative only and subject to change. Final values may differ materially depending on funding availability, scope refinement, and internal approvals. * All dates and timelines included in this notice are provisional and subject to change at the discretion of Jisc. They should be treated as indicative only. No reliance should be placed on these dates for business or resource planning. Jisc reserves the right to exercise any extension options permitted under existing contractual or framework arrangements, which may impact or delay the future procurement activity referenced in this notice. * The scope of the potential procurement described is indicative only and may be amended, expanded, reduced, or withdrawn entirely prior to any formal procurement process. Any reference to potential re procurement is indicative only and does not represent a commitment to re tender existing arrangements or to replace any current supplier. Jisc will assess the possible use of existing frameworks as a route to market, opposed to a new procurement process. * Any future procurement is subject to internal approvals, governance processes, and the availability of funding. While Jisc has taken reasonable care in preparing this notice, it does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. * To ensure fairness and transparency, suppliers are asked not to contact Jisc or submit expressions of interest in relation to this notice. Any future procurement will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and advertised via Jisc's e-procurement systems. Suppliers should ensure they are registered on the Jisc portal: https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=JISC.

Planning Information

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d681
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042118-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline 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
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 May 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
Post Town
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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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