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Telematching Services

Office for National Statistics

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Aug 2026 at 14:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Office for National Statistics requires a secure telematching and SMS reminder service for the UK Census Test. The supplier will match mobile telephone numbers to around 120,000 residential addresses supplied by ONS, returning files that identify qualifying matches without disclosing the underlying numbers. The service will include an initial matching exercise, a refresh of matched records, SMS delivery using ONS-approved content, delivery and opt-out reporting, management information, operational performance data and associated data handling. It will also cover testing, onboarding, assurance, readiness, data deletion and service decommissioning. The work is delivered across the United Kingdom and supports evaluation of whether SMS reminders improve census response rates and inform future census design.

This procurement is at the planning and preliminary market engagement stage; it is not an invitation to tender, and ONS has not decided the route to market. ONS expects to consider a framework, dynamic market, competitive procedure or another compliant route. Interested suppliers were asked to submit a written expression of interest of no more than 1,000 words by 17:00 on 4 September 2026, addressing capability, ethical and lawful data practices, and any relevant public-sector framework route. Indicative delivery dates are a 100-address trial in October 2026, the main address file in November 2026, matched files returned by the end of November, a refresh in March 2027, and SMS reminders on 14 and 23 March 2027. The planned contract period is 19 October 2026 to 12 April 2027.

This will suit specialist providers of mobile-number telematching, SMS messaging, personal-data processing and campaign reporting, including organisations able to work with public-sector customers and sensitive address data. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate ISO 27001 certification or an equivalent information-security management system, Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, UK-only data storage and processing, and BPSS vetting for relevant personnel. They will also need to demonstrate compliance with UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Strong capabilities in secure data matching, privacy-preserving file exchange, SMS delivery and opt-out management, management information, testing and operational assurance will be relevant. ONS is seeking transparent, ethical governance for sourcing, safeguarding and using mobile-number data. This is preparation for a possible future procurement, not a bid opportunity now.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Telematching Services

Notice Description

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, to inform its approach to a forthcoming requirement for Telematching and SMS messaging services in support of the 2027 Census Test. ONS is conducting this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to inform the development of its planned procurements. ONS is supported by its commercial delivery partner, 4C Associates, in undertaking market engagement activities, including supplier communications and market analysis. ONS remains solely responsible for all procurement governance, approvals and contractual decisions. Single Statement of User Need (SSUN): ONS is the UK's national statistical institute and largest producer of official statistics, providing data on key economic, social and demographic topics. ONS is a central part of the Government Statistical Service (GSS), which is the cross government community responsible for producing official statistics across the UK. ONS operates as the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, an independent body at arm's length from government which oversees and protects the production and publication of official statistics that 'serve the public good'. ONS' Mission is: "To deliver trustworthy, independent, high-quality statistics that underpin the UK's most critical economic and societal decisions and inform the public." The Office for National Statistics (ONS) requires a Telematching and SMS reminder service to support the delivery and evaluation of the 2027 Census Test. The service will enable ONS to assess whether SMS reminders improve Census response rates and provide evidence to inform future Census design decisions. To support the delivery of the 2027 Census Test, the Supplier shall provide and manage the Telematching, SMS delivery, management information and associated data handling services required by the Customer, as more particularly described in this Notice. Full details will be set out in the Specification issued as part of any subsequent procurement process. For the 2027 Census Test, the Supplier shall: Provide a Telematching service to identify and match mobile telephone numbers to residential addresses supplied by ONS (circa ~120,000 addresses); Receive address files from ONS and return flagged files confirming which addresses have a matched mobile number meeting ONS's minimum quality criteria (for example, confirmed as belonging to an adult resident and validated as current), without returning the underlying telephone numbers to ONS. Full quality criteria will be set out in the Specification issued as part of any subsequent procurement process; Complete an initial Telematching exercise and a subsequent refresh of matched records prior to Census 2027 Test operations; Send SMS reminders on ONS's behalf, using ONS-approved message content and in accordance with the operational timetable and campaign requirements defined by ONS; Manage SMS delivery outcomes, including delivery reporting and opt-out management; Provide management information, reporting and operational performance data to support evaluation of the Census Test; Ensure all collected data is processed, stored, transferred and deleted in accordance with contractual security, privacy and legal requirements; Participate in testing, onboarding, assurance and readiness activities required by ONS; and Provide confirmation of data deletion and service decommissioning following completion of the service. The Supplier shall work in partnership with ONS to deliver a secure, compliant, and high-performing Telematching and SMS Reminder Service that supports the successful delivery of the 2027 Census Test and contributes to achieving programme objectives. As a trusted public body, ONS places the utmost importance on maintaining public confidence in the Census. Accordingly, the Supplier must evidence exemplary ethical standards and robust governance arrangements in the sourcing, management, safeguarding, and use of mobile number data, including address allocation activities. Through transparent, lawful, and responsible practices, the Supplier shall support ONS in maintaining public trust and confidence, ensuring that the Census continues to be recognised as a trusted, credible, and nationally important statistical undertaking. Indicative dates: Trial sample test (100 addresses) - October 2026 Main address file provided to supplier - November 2026 Telematched file returned - End of November 2026 Data refresh exercise - March 2027 SMS reminders sent (Census Day) - 14 March 2027 SMS follow-up reminder sent - 23 March 2027 Indicative Minimum Requirements: Given the nature of the personal data involved, any supplier (and relevant sub-contractors) will be expected to hold, or be able to evidence progress towards, prior to contract award, the following: ISO 27001 certification (or equivalent Information Security Management System); Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification; UK-based data storage and processing only; Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) vetting for relevant staff; and Compliance with UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Planning Information

ONS invites interested suppliers to submit a written expression of interest, addressing: Confirmation of capability to deliver the Telematching and SMS sending services described in this Notice, including the indicative minimum requirements; and How the supplier will ensure that all activities are conducted ethically, transparently, lawfully, and in accordance with recognised industry best practice, enabling ONS to uphold public confidence and reinforce the Census as a trusted and authoritative national statistical exercise. Details of any relevant public sector frameworks through which these services may be procured. Where applicable, suppliers should identify the framework name, framework provider, framework reference number, and the relevant lot(s). Responses should be submitted in writing to Census2031.Supplier.Engagement@ons.gov.uk by 17:00 on 4 September 2026. Responses must not exceed 1,000 words, inclusive of any text contained within diagrams, images, tables or other embedded content. ONS may follow up with suppliers directly to discuss and clarify their responses. This is an informal engagement exercise and does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment by ONS to procure. ONS will not take participation in this engagement into account in any subsequent procurement process. Participation will confer no advantage or disadvantage to any supplier. ONS has not yet determined the route to market. Information gathered through this UK2 notice will inform whether ONS proceeds via a framework, dynamic market, competitive procedure or other compliant procurement route.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06eab0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080415-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

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

CPV Codes

64212100 - Short Message Service (SMS) services

64216000 - Electronic message and information services

72314000 - Data collection and collation services

72320000 - Database services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Aug 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Oct 2026 - 12 Apr 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Office for National Statistics
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWPORT
Postcode
NP10 8XG
Postcode Area
Newport
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL54 Monmouthshire and Newport
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newport
Electoral Ward
Tredegar Park and Marshfield
Westminster Constituency
Newport West and Islwyn

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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