Connexus Invitation to Tender for Digital Community Alarms

A social alarm is an alarm device that is installed in an individual’s home or communal area which makes it possible for that individual to call for assistance in both urgent and non-urgent situations. These calls are linked to a staff member or support centre who will support the individual to address the issue over the telephone or call for assistance as appropriate to the situation. Public switched telephone network (PSTN) that delivers analogue landline phone services is planned to be switched off in 2025. This network is being replaced by a digital infrastructure (Voice over Internet Protocol or IP voice). This will mean that the existing community alarms equipment installed across the Independent Living Schemes managed by Connexus may be affected. As part of the digital switchover, Connexus are looking for a transformative digital solution to replace its existing Community Alarm provision which is not compatible with the new digital standards within existing schemes to ensure it fully functions once analogue services are switched off. This will mean that vulnerable adults across the schemes will continue to have access to this provision without any interruptions in their service. The ambition is to achieve a product that is cost effective, with little to no maintenance responsibilities and preferably not to have to use existing infrastructure. The aim of this tender is to appoint a provider to carry out this work based on our specification requirements in our Invitation to Tender Document. Any works would need to be completed in line with BT’s digital switchover programme which is proposed to be complete by 2025. Flexibility and adaptability will be required within the programme of works due to the nature of Connexus’ customers, the life protecting nature of the solution and the phasing of BT’s switchover programme.