This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

21 Aug 2026 at 12:12

Planning

21 Aug 2026 at 11:52

Summary of the contracting process

Ofcom is exploring spectrum monitoring solutions to shape its future monitoring capability, spectrum monitoring strategy and systems review, investment cases and later procurement. The requirement is for modern telecommunications equipment, software and supporting maintenance services, rather than a like-for-like replacement of existing assets. Expected capabilities include software-based monitoring platforms, remote operation, automated alerting, spectrum data storage and retrieval, direction-finding integration, and analytics. The solutions should support Ofcom’s current operational work and future evidence-led spectrum management. Delivery is intended across the United Kingdom. The buying organisation is Ofcom, a UK public authority. This is primarily a technology and telecommunications systems requirement, with associated equipment maintenance and supporting services. The engagement is intended to test the market’s available approaches and suppliers’ ability to deliver an integrated future monitoring capability.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is currently a preliminary market engagement, not an invitation to tender. Ofcom expects to use market feedback to inform its procurement strategy, future strategic options, investment cases and procurement considerations. The engagement is conducted through a questionnaire, with possible follow-up discussions; completed questionnaires are expected by 12 noon on 18 September 2026. Ofcom currently expects a subsequent notice around June 2027. The planned procurement has one lot and an estimated gross value of £5,000,000. The anticipated contract period is 1 June 2028 to 31 May 2033. The requirement is above the applicable threshold. Ofcom has indicated that the future procurement will be treated as not particularly suited to SMEs or VCSEs, although market input from those organisations is welcome during this engagement.

This engagement will suit suppliers developing or integrating spectrum monitoring hardware, software platforms and managed or supporting services. Relevant strengths include remote monitoring, automated alerting, spectrum data architecture, secure storage and retrieval, analytics, direction-finding integration, and the ability to combine these capabilities into an operational system. Suppliers with experience supporting evidence-led spectrum management, telecommunications monitoring or related regulatory and technical environments should be well placed to contribute useful market insight. The buyer is seeking approaches that can support existing operations while enabling future capability, rather than simply replacing equipment on a like-for-like basis. Businesses can use the engagement to explain available products, delivery models, integration methods, operational experience and how their solutions could develop with Ofcom’s strategy before a later procurement is considered.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Spectrum Monitoring Solutions

Notice Description

Ofcom is undertaking this market engagement to understand how available spectrum monitoring systems, software and supporting services could help define and deliver Ofcom's future monitoring capability. This will inform the ongoing Spectrum Monitoring Strategy and Systems Review, future strategic options, potential investment cases and future procurement considerations. The focus of this engagement is therefore not simply replacement of existing equipment on a like-for-like basis. Ofcom is seeking to understand the market for modern spectrum monitoring capability, including software-based monitoring platforms, remote operation, automated alerting, spectrum data storage and retrieval, direction-finding integration, analytics, and options that could support both current operational work and future evidence-led spectrum management.

Planning Information

The purpose of this preliminary market engagement (PME) questionnaire is to seek input from market participants to inform and help us inform our procurement strategy. The PME will provide Ofcom with the opportunity to obtain insight into the available Spectrum Monitoring solutions on the market, how potential Suppliers might approach delivery of the good(s)/service(s) in question and gain an understanding of the capability/interest from the market. This PME will be in the form of a questionnaire, and possibly some discussion between the Ofcom Project Team and interested Suppliers. If you would like to participate in the PME exercise, please access the PME document available via Ofcom's Jaggaer procurement portal at https://ofcom.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/. To access the PME documents interested suppleirs will need to be registered as a supplier on the Ofcom Jaggaer esourcing portal. Visit the URL above and click on 'Register here'. If already registered log-in to Ofcom's Jaggaer esourcing portal and go to the PQQ page 'pqq_96 - Spectrum Monitoring Preliminary Market Engagement', complete the questionnaire, attach it where indicated in the Technical envelope and Submit. Clarification questions can be submitted via the messaging facility within the pqq_96. The closing deadline for submitting completed questionnaires is 12 noon, 18 September 2026.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e973
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079864-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies

32522000 - Telecommunications equipment

50330000 - Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Aug 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 202710 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2028 - 31 May 2033 Over 5 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
Ofcom
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
SE1 9HA
Postcode Area
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

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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