Planning

Communications Solution and Telephony

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL TRADING AS PROCUREMENT SERVICES

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

24 Feb 2026 at 12:05

Planning

23 Feb 2026 at 16:05

Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council, operating under Procurement Services, is currently in the planning stage for a procurement initiative titled "Communications Solution and Telephony". This project is aimed at establishing a local and national framework for communication solutions, including associated services, equipment, support, and maintenance within the Public Sector. With a gross value of £50 million, this service-oriented procurement falls under the telecommunications and communication equipment industry, focusing on locations within the United Kingdom, primarily West Malling, Kent. The procurement method involves a framework agreement with potential renewals, and key milestones include an online questionnaire due by 6th March 2026. The framework's contract period is slated to begin on 1st September 2026, extending until potential completion by 31st August 2030.

This tender presents considerable opportunities for growth in the telecommunications industry, particularly for businesses specialising in communications infrastructure, telecommunications equipment, and associated services. Companies that offer innovative solutions in communications networks and telephony are encouraged to engage in the preliminary market engagement process. Participation can aid in shaping procurement specifications and mechanisms that may improve delivery outcomes across the Public Sector. With the framework aiming to cover both direct purchasing and leasing options, businesses equipped to provide comprehensive and customisable communication services will find themselves well-positioned to compete in this market.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Communications Solution and Telephony

Notice Description

The framework agreement covers the provision and installation of a full range of communication solutions, associated services, equipment, support and maintenance. The equipment under this framework agreement may be provided as a direct purchase or via a lease agreement. Procurement Services are looking to create a local and national framework for the provision of Communications Solution and Telephony Framework. This questionnaire is designed to understand supplier and customer experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding Communications Solutions and Telephony frameworks. Your responses will help us design a framework that meets the needs of suppliers and customers to improve the procurement and delivery experience for Communications Solutions and Telephony services across all areas within the Public Sector. Scope and Lot structure is still to be determined, but the aim is to design a framework for the provision of all Communications Solutions and Telephony required within the Public Sector. PLEASE NOTE THIS PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY - THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION AT THIS STAGE. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1016794753

Planning Information

The purpose of this engagement is to: Understand market capability and capacity Inform the development of the specification and pricing mechanism Explore innovate solutions Identify potential risks and delivery models. Suppliers are invited to participate in the following activities: Online Questionnaire

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065a6d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016426-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related 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

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


CPV Codes

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

32530000 - Satellite-related communications equipment

32531000 - Satellite communications equipment

32570000 - Communications equipment

32571000 - Communications infrastructure

32572000 - Communications cable

32572100 - Communications cable with multiple electrical conductors

32572200 - Communications cable with coaxial conductors

32572300 - Communications cable for special applications

32573000 - Communications control system

32581000 - Data-communications equipment

45232332 - Ancillary works for telecommunications

45314000 - Installation of telecommunications equipment

48219700 - Communications server software package

48511000 - Desktop communications software package

50300000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment

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

64225000 - Air-to-ground telecommunications services

64227000 - Integrated telecommunications services

72212511 - Desktop communications software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Mar 20264 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL TRADING AS PROCUREMENT SERVICES
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WEST MALLING
Postcode
ME19 4YT
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ46 West Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Tonbridge and Malling
Electoral Ward
Kings Hill
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-065a6d-2026-02-24T12:05:51Z",
    "date": "2026-02-24T12:05:51Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-065a6d",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PYCX-4938-CCHM",
            "name": "Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PYCX-4938-CCHM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Abbey Wood Road",
                "locality": "West Malling",
                "postalCode": "ME19 4YT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ46"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Julie Cripps",
                "email": "office@csltd.org.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PYCX-4938-CCHM",
        "name": "Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "The purpose of this engagement is to: Understand market capability and capacity Inform the development of the specification and pricing mechanism Explore innovate solutions Identify potential risks and delivery models. Suppliers are invited to participate in the following activities: Online Questionnaire",
                "dueDate": "2026-03-06T23:59:59+00:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "016210-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016210-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-02-23T16:05:51Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "016426-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016426-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-02-24T12:05:51Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "Y26015",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Communications Solution and Telephony",
        "description": "The framework agreement covers the provision and installation of a full range of communication solutions, associated services, equipment, support and maintenance. The equipment under this framework agreement may be provided as a direct purchase or via a lease agreement. Procurement Services are looking to create a local and national framework for the provision of Communications Solution and Telephony Framework. This questionnaire is designed to understand supplier and customer experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding Communications Solutions and Telephony frameworks. Your responses will help us design a framework that meets the needs of suppliers and customers to improve the procurement and delivery experience for Communications Solutions and Telephony services across all areas within the Public Sector. Scope and Lot structure is still to be determined, but the aim is to design a framework for the provision of all Communications Solutions and Telephony required within the Public Sector. PLEASE NOTE THIS PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY - THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION AT THIS STAGE. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1016794753",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32412000",
                        "description": "Communications network"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32412100",
                        "description": "Telecommunications network"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32500000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications equipment and supplies"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32510000",
                        "description": "Wireless telecommunications system"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32520000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications cable and equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32521000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications cable"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32522000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32523000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications facilities"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32524000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications system"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32530000",
                        "description": "Satellite-related communications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32531000",
                        "description": "Satellite communications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32570000",
                        "description": "Communications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32571000",
                        "description": "Communications infrastructure"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32572000",
                        "description": "Communications cable"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32572100",
                        "description": "Communications cable with multiple electrical conductors"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32572200",
                        "description": "Communications cable with coaxial conductors"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32572300",
                        "description": "Communications cable for special applications"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32573000",
                        "description": "Communications control system"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32581000",
                        "description": "Data-communications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45232332",
                        "description": "Ancillary works for telecommunications"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45314000",
                        "description": "Installation of telecommunications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48219700",
                        "description": "Communications server software package"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48511000",
                        "description": "Desktop communications software package"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50300000",
                        "description": "Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50330000",
                        "description": "Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50331000",
                        "description": "Repair and maintenance services of telecommunications lines"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50332000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications-infrastructure maintenance services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50333000",
                        "description": "Maintenance services of radio-communications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "51300000",
                        "description": "Installation services of communications equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "64000000",
                        "description": "Postal and telecommunications services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "64200000",
                        "description": "Telecommunications services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "64225000",
                        "description": "Air-to-ground telecommunications services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "64227000",
                        "description": "Integrated telecommunications services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72212511",
                        "description": "Desktop communications software development services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 50000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}