Request For Information: Future Integrated User Services: Fixed Voice (Official) and Voice & Video (Secret)

22/09/2023- Note: RFI document on linked Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) has been updated to include offer of face to face meetings for RFI respondents. See DSP link for further information.

Background

The Ministry of Defence's (MOD'S) Integrated User Services (IUS) Programme is responsible for the delivery of Voice Telephony, Video Teleconferencing (VTC) and Mobile services across multiple security classifications. The collection of capabilities is delivered under a single contract. The aim of Future IUS (F-IUS) is to ensure the continuity of services whilst disaggregating the service portfolio.

The F-IUS Programme has assessed all services currently delivered under the single contract with the incumbent and separated these into the following several discrete capability bundles including: a. Fixed Voice OFFICIAL & Fixed Voice and Video SECRET b. Mobile Devices and Airtime c. Mobile Device Management (MDM)

The F-IUS Programme will engage in a series of procurements under the bundles listed above.

RFI Context

This Request for Information (RFI) relates to the Fixed Voice OFFICIAL and Fixed Voice and Video SECRET capability bundle only, for which we anticipate releasing a Contract Notice during Winter 2023. Contract award is expected by Summer '25 with an anticipated term of three years (with options to extend thereafter).

The Authority are releasing this RFI to gauge the level of market appetite for the competition and to inform our procurement approach in advance of initiating a competition. No formal procurement process has been launched at this stage.

Currently we expect to run a single competition to contract for the service(s) as described in the full RFI document accessible via the link below, and we anticipate that the procurement will follow a competitive negotiated procedure, using the Model Services Contract, and will consist of two-stages; 1) Supplier Selection using a Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (DPQQ), and 2) an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN).

The information contained within the below linked RFI sets out the Authority's current intentions with respect to its future procurement of the opportunity. However, the Authority's procurement strategy remains subject to change and may be further informed by the information gathered as part of this market engagement. The Authority may, at its sole discretion, amend its requirement(s) for F-IUS prior to launching any future competition.

Additional information: The UK MOD does not bind itself to carry out any procurement in relation to this RFI nor enter into any contract(s) arising out of the proceedings envisaged by this RFI and no contractual rights express or implied arise out of this notice or the procedures envisaged by it. The UK MOD reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to alter its approach prior to commencing any formal procurement. Equally, non-participation in the market engagement will not be taken into account in any future procurement activities and will not preclude any organisation from submitting a tender in any future procurement. Neither the UK MOD nor its respective advisers will be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by interested parties (or their professional advisers, funders, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives) in connection with their participation in the early market engagement, any resulting or related competition, or any part thereof. All costs and expenses incurred by any person in connection with the early market engagement or any resulting or related competition generally are the responsibilities of that person, and the UK MOD will have no liability for any costs or expenses incurred by such person.