Telematching Services
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 (read more...)
Summary: 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.