---
title: "Supply of Services and Support for the Handsfree R5 Fixed Vehicle Device (FVD)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HOME OFFICE"
published: "2026-07-03"
---

# Supply of Services and Support for the Handsfree R5 Fixed Vehicle Device (FVD)

Buyer: HOME OFFICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d.json)

## Summary

The Home Office has awarded a contract for the supply of services and support for the Handsfree R5 Fixed Vehicle Device (FVD) as part of its Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. This procurement process falls under the industry category of telecommunications equipment maintenance, based in the United Kingdom, with London being a key location. The procurement is a direct award due to technical and intellectual property considerations, as noted in the Procurement Act 2023. The contract was signed on 11 June 2026, and the service provision started on 12 June 2026, with the Contract scheduled to run until 31 December 2028, with potential extensions up to 2031. The decision was strategically planned to ensure technical compatibility and service continuity for existing communications equipment.

This direct award to CKO International Ltd presents significant opportunities for businesses proficient in telecommunications maintenance, particularly those with expertise in managing bespoke communication devices and systems. Companies with the capability to maintain, support, and potentially upgrade telecommunications infrastructure while upholding stringent compatibility requirements would be well-positioned. The contract is valued at approximately £300,000 (exclusive of VAT) and highlights the Home Office's approach to ensuring reliability in critical communication applications, offering an opportunity for businesses involved in emergency service solutions to grow by aligning with public sector requirements.

## Notice

This activity is part of the Home Office's wider programme to ensure reliable communication services for emergency responders. It focuses on securing ongoing support and maintenance for in-vehicle communication devices already procured by ESMCP for future Emergency Services Network use. Rather than purchasing new equipment, the contract renews the arrangement for the department to procure support, updates, repairs, and upgrades as needed over time. This approach ensures that existing devices remain safe, functional, and compatible with evolving network requirements. The estimated contract value is approximately PS300,000 (ex VAT). The services are intrinsically linked to the existing devices and their associated software and system interfaces, which were originally designed and developed by the supplier. As such, delivery of the required services must ensure full technical compatibility with the existing asset base and continuity of service. A change in supplier would present significant technical and operational risks, including potential incompatibility with existing hardware and software, disruption to service continuity, and impacts on existing warranties and support arrangements. This contract is not being awarded by reference to lots.

### Procurement Information

The contracting authority is relying on section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the above listed Direct Award justifications as also set out in Schedule 5 to the Act. The requirement concerns the provision of ongoing maintenance, software support, and associated services for fixed vehicle devices previously designed, developed and supplied by the Supplier's predecessor, Handsfree Limited. The new Services are wholly intended as an extension to the services provided under the Original Contract. More specifically, they relate to the Devices designed and developed (and the ancillary services provided) by Handsfree which are intrinsically linked to the R5 Devices already owned by ESMCP. These Devices were not an "off the shelf" product, and the Services must be compatible with them. Following a corporate restructure, the Handsfree's R5 Fixed Vehicle Device business, has transferred to CKO International Ltd as a going concern. This transfer included all assets necessary for continued delivery of the Services, including intellectual property rights, hardware and software designs, certifications, engineering capability, systems, delivery plans, warranty liabilities and support arrangements. As a result of this transfer, CKO International Ltd now holds the intellectual property, technical know-how, and operational capability required to maintain, support and further develop the Devices. The services are intrinsically linked to the existing devices and their embedded software, interfaces, and system architecture. CKO (following transfer from Handsfree) now possesses the unique technical expertise and knowledge arising from the original design and development of the devices (as part of Handsfree) and retains control of the underlying intellectual property required to deliver the Services. As a result, only CKO is capable of providing the Services without introducing unacceptable technical and operational risks. These include risks of incompatibility with existing hardware and software, disruption to operational performance, and potential impacts on existing warranties and support arrangements. Based on evaluation of the market and the specific nature of this requirement, using an alternative supplier will lead to disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. The Services depend on detailed knowledge of the existing devices, their embedded software and interfaces, and access to relevant intellectual property and proprietary information held only by CKO. Whilst other suppliers may have related capabilities, they would be unable to deliver the Services to the required standard without substantial duplication, transition activity, or dependency on the incumbent supplier. The contracting authority has also considered the procurement objectives set out in section 12 of the Act, including value for money, integrity, and equal treatment, and considers that a direct award in these circumstances is proportionate and justified.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062990-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | 11 Jun 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £300,000 |
| Contracts value | £300,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HOME OFFICE |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | East London |
| Postcode | E20 1JN |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI41 Hackney and Newham |
| Local authority | Newham |
| Electoral ward | Stratford Olympic Park |
| Westminster constituency | Stratford and Bow |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CKO INTERNATIONAL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50330000 - Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment

## Release History

- 3 Jul 2026 at 16:00 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062990-2026
- 29 May 2026 at 15:42 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051021-2026
- 28 May 2026 at 21:08 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050554-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062990-2026
  3rd July 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051021-2026
  29th May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050554-2026
  28th May 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://c-ko.co.uk/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-services-mobile-communications-programme/emergency-services-network
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a83d.json.