Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2020-10-20
Buyer: The Secretary of State for the Home Department
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
CPV classification: 32000000 | 32250000 | 32260000 | 32344210 | 32500000
Estimated value: 4900000 GBP

Technical requirements: Équipements et appareils de radio, de télévision, de communication, de télécommunication et équipements connexes
This prior information notice is to notify the market that the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) plans to enter into a market engagement exercise to discuss its potential requirements with potential suppliers in the market of provision of intrinsically safe devices such that the authority may establish a commercial strategy for the supply of its potential requirements.
Certain specialist ESN users respond to incidents at locations where there is a risk of explosive atmospheres being present (for example, oil and gas installations). To meet the strict safety regulations at such sites, any ESN devices and accessories used on-site must have ATEX zone 1/21 certification. The devices must allow users to make PTT calls and use simple applications, including while wearing PPE. The authority user requirements call for a A ruggedized Android smartphone with ATEX zone 1/21 certification suitable for use with the ESN PTT application, plus compatible accessories.
This prior information notice is to notify the market that the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) plans to enter into a market engagement exercise to discuss its potential requirements with potential suppliers in the market of provision of intrinsically safe devices such that the authority may establish a commercial strategy for the supply of its potential requirements.
Certain specialist ESN users respond to incidents at locations where there is a risk of explosive atmospheres being present (for example, oil and gas installations). To meet the strict safety regulations at such sites, any ESN devices and accessories used on-site must have ATEX zone 1/21 certification. The devices must allow users to make PTT calls and use simple applications, including while wearing PPE. The authority user requirements call for a A ruggedized Android smartphone with ATEX zone 1/21 certification suitable for use with the ESN PTT application, plus compatible accessories.
The ESMCP aims to provide an integrated critical voice and broadband data communications service for the emergency services in Great Britain that meets the public safety requirements for coverage, functionality, availability and security. The chosen technology is based on an enhanced commercial network that is configured to give the 3 Emergency Services (the ‘3ES’) priority over other users. ESMCP completed those procurements under OJEU contract notice reference 2014/S 077-133654.
Additional information on the authority and the main ESN procurement can be found at http://ow.ly/JAPp100Blvo
Within the authority, the devices projects have the responsibility to provide user organisations with fully approved handheld devices, which have been tested to ensure that they deliver the performance and functionality for ESN, and do not pose a risk to the security or integrity of the service.
The user organisations requiring LTE mobile handheld devices and accessories for the Emergency Services Network (ESN) include:
A Request for Information (RFI) is to be provided to interested suppliers containing a number of questions that the authority welcomes response to. The RFI closing date for receipt of responses will be 5 p.m. on 23 November 2020 after which the project will utilise the information to inform its discussions internally and for the purpose of market engagement meetings with potential suppliers.
Expressions of interest to participate in this market engagement activity should be made by emailing: ESMCPSupplier@homeoffice.gov.uk
Following receipt of an expression of interest the authority will send a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to the supplier to complete and return to the same email address. Once the NDA has been returned and verified by the authority, the supplier will be provided with access to the RFI through the Bravo eSourcing Portal. See the following guidance with regard to accessing the Bravo system.
Bravo registration: registering for the Bravo system is only required once. If you are already registered then you do not need to register again, however you do still need to express your interest in this particular market engagement activity as outlined above.
(d) click the express interest button in the ‘Actions’ box on the left-hand side of the page (this will move the SQ (containing the RFI) into the economic operators my PQQ box) — this is a secure area for projects only;
(a) economic operators will then be able to use the messages functions to communicate with ESMCP and seek any clarifications that may be required;


Award value: 4900000