Emergency Services Network (ESN) End User Devices

The procurement will contract for commercially available off‑the‑shelf (COTS) mobile communication devices to be developed by successful suppliers to meet ESN technical, security and public safety requirements, in order to achieve ESN certification. Individual contracts will be awarded for each device selected.

For the avoidance of doubt, if a Bidder is awarded multiple contracts, a separate contract will have to be signed for each individual device. The Authority intends to award contracts to suppliers in order to maximise choice and operational resilience.

For Lots 1 and 4, the Authority will, as default, award only four and three contracts respectively. However, the Authority requires one or more dual mode devices (ESN plus Tetra DMO) in each lot in addition to devices solely for use on the ESN.

If the leading four bids making up the target number of contracts by Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) score do not include a bid for a dual mode device, the Authority may award a fifth contract to a supplier offering a dual mode device based on the highest MAT score for that device. 2. Where a Bidder is relying on a sub-contractor to fulfil its contractual obligations and more than one bid is submitted based on the same device and/or sub-contractor under these conditions, the Authority reserves the right to award a contract only to the Bidder achieving the highest MAT score.

If this rule is invoked by the Authority and the MAT rankings of the relevant bidders under the rule are above that of the lowest ranking Bidder awarded a contract, the Authority reserves the right to award a contract to the Bidder or Bidders with the highest MAT ranking or rankings immediately below that of the lowest ranking successful bidder. However, the Authority is not obligated to do so.

For example, if four contracts are to be awarded in Lot 1 and two relevant bidders under this rule are placed first and third on MAT ranking, the Authority will only award a contract to the first ranked Bidder and reserves the right to award a further contract to the fifth ranked bidder if different to the first and third. 3. If both this rule and rule 1 are invoked together in any Lot, the Authority reserves the right only to award any additional contract to the highest MAT ranked bid offering a dual mode device. 4.

Where a Bidder submits multiple bids for places on the same Lot, the Authority reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to only award contracts to up to two of those bids with the highest Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) scores provided that those scores place both bids within the maximum number of contracts to be awarded in the lot. The scope of this procurement is limited to device development, testing and ESN certification activities.

The routine supply of certified devices, accessories and associated services to operational users is expected to be delivered through call‑off contracts under GCA's NS4 framework (RM6377). However, the Authority may procure some developed Devices for purposes such as testing and trials.

These will not be for full operational use. Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Rugged Smartphone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services and, where offered, optional Dual Mode capability incorporating TETRA Direct Mode Operation.

Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements to support operational use in demanding emergency service and responder environments. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Rugged Feature Phone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), designed to support mission critical voice and data services, and where offered, optional dual mode capability incorporating TETRA functionality. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements for ruggedisation, usability, controls, audio, battery operation, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use in demanding emergency service and responder environments.

Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework. Development of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) Non-Rugged Smartphone User Equipment for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services.

Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements for usability, performance, operating system compatibility, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use by emergency service and responder organisations. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.

Development of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Fixed Vehicle Devices for use on the Emergency Services Network (ESN), including support for mission critical voice and data services. Devices under this Lot must meet the Authority’s defined technical requirements for in-vehicle use, usability, audio performance, connectivity, accessories and integration with the ESN MCX solution to support operational use by emergency service and responder.

Devices within this Lot may also offer optional Dual Mode capability incorporating TETRA Direct Mode Operation. Devices delivered under this lot will be the first to be made available for Emergency Service user organisations in England, Scotland and Wales via a separate procurement route expected to be a Government Commercial Agency procurement framework.