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Published 19 Jan 2026, 17:34 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Technology Enabled Care Services at Aster Group

Official notice

Authority: Aster Group Limited

2 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitableAcceleratedMax 1 lot to bidMax 1 lot per supplier
Sectors: Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment (32)Repair & Maintenance (50)Postal and telecommunications services (64)
+1 moreHealth & Social Care (85)
 Delivery: UKEast of England (UKH)London (UKI)
+2 moreSouth East (UKJ)South West (UKK)
Published estimate£3,000,000envelope for 2 lots · £3,600,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 8 Jun 2026awarded 17 Jul 2026
Awarded to Openview Security Solutions Limited, Appello Careline Limited2 awards
Contract term 4 yrsends 31 Aug 2030 · up to 31 Aug 2034 with extensions · starts 1 Sept 2026

What is being bought2 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Aster provides Technology Enabled Care (TEC) services across a range of grouped living, sheltered and extra care schemes, supporting residents through Hard-Wired alarm systems, Digital Alarm Units (DAUs), dispersed TEC devices and emergency call-handling arrangements.

As part of the national digital switchover, all analogue systems must transition to digital-ready solutions by 2027. This requires a coordinated approach across both the maintenance of physical TEC equipment and the delivery of monitoring and alarm receiving services.

Lot 1 covers the maintenance, servicing, repair and future upgrade of Aster's Hard-Wired alarm systems, DAUs,smoke detection and fire panels within dwellings. The Contractor will support Aster in ensuring equipment reliability, minimising downtime, maintaining accurate asset data and enabling a smooth transition from analogue to digital-ready systems. These services play a critical role in ensuring that residents can raise alerts safely and consistently.

Lot 2 covers Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) Services. The ARC is responsible for receiving alarm activations, responding to calls, triggering appropriate actions and supporting residents in emergency and welfare situations.

The ARC provider will also be responsible for onboarding new TEC users, including configuring monitoring profiles, ensuring alarms route correctly and maintaining up-to-date service user information. In addition, the ARC provider will be required to deliver a suite of performance and operational reports that enable Aster to review service outcomes, monitor compliance, identify trends and assure resident safety. Tenderers must therefore clearly outline the reports they propose to provide as part of their response. The ARC must provide key industry updates from the

TSA.

Together, the Lot 1 and Lot 2 services form an end-to-end TEC operating model that ensures residents receive a safe, reliable and digitally resilient service. Aster is seeking partners who can support this transformation, safeguard service continuity through the digital migration period and deliver a high-quality resident experience.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Sept 2033, 23:59 BST.
  • How the procedure runs: Single-stage competitive procedure with the option for clarification meetings, supplier presentations and site visits (Lot 2) at Aster's discretion in accordance with section 10 of the Invitation to Tender. The procedure comprises: Stage 1: Selection Questionnaire (pass/fail) assessed against the exclusion grounds at Schedules 6 and 7 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the conditions of participation set out in the Invitation to Tender Stage 2: Compliance review of tender submissions (pass/fail) Stage 3: Weighted evaluation of Quality (60%) and Price (40%), with optional clarification meetings, presentations and/or site visits
  • No preliminary market engagement: A Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice was not published as the engagement was strictly limited to independent technical consultancy for specification drafting. The authority has prepared and maintains a Conflicts Assessment in accordance with Section 81 of the Procurement Act 2023, confirming that the consultant is not a potential supplier and that their involvement does not create a conflict of interest or distort competition. As no wider market testing was conducted, a PME notice was not deemed necessary to ensure a level playing field.

CPV: Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment · Social services · Telecommunications equipment and supplies · Telecommunications services

Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure

2 lots · all with a published value (£3,000,000 together) · a supplier may bid for at most 1 and win at most 1 of them · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Hard-Wired and Digital Alarm Unit (DAU) Maintenance of Call Monitoring SystemsAwardedRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£1,800,000

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2030 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Aug 2034 with extensionsValue: £1,800,000 exc. VAT · £2,160,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UK, London, South East, South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: 2 x 2 year optional extensionsSecond stage: 2–6 candidates invited to tender
32500000 Telecommunications equipment and supplies50300000 Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment64200000 Telecommunications services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Minimum annual turnover thresholds (Lot-specific, set in accordance with section 22 of the Procurement Act 2023, full details in ITT)

  • Technical & professional ability

    Relevant accreditations or equivalents including NICEIC certification (Lot 1), BAFE SP203-1 (Lot 1, where applicable), TSA membership or equivalent TEC industry knowledge, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 (or commitment to achieve)

    Evidence of relevant experience over the past three years

Lot #2Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) ServicesAwardedRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£1,200,000

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2030 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Aug 2034 with extensionsValue: £1,200,000 exc. VAT · £1,440,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UK, London, South East, South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: 2 x 2 year optional extensionsSecond stage: 2–6 candidates invited to tender
64200000 Telecommunications services85320000 Social services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Minimum annual turnover thresholds (Lot-specific, set in accordance with section 22 of the Procurement Act 2023)

  • Technical & professional ability

    Relevant accreditations or equivalents including NICEIC certification (Lot 1), BAFE SP203-1 (Lot 1, where applicable), TSA membership or equivalent TEC industry knowledge, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 (or commitment to achieve)

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 2 lots
Quality: 60%Price: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality
  • Price
Lot distribution rule: Suppliers may bid for one Lot only. This restriction is applied to: (a) maintain independent oversight between the party maintaining TEC equipment (Lot 1) and the party operating the Alarm Receiving Centre that monitors that equipment in real time (Lot 2); (b) reduce concentration and continuity risk in a life-safety service supporting vulnerable residents; (c) reflect the materially different technical competencies, accreditations and operating infrastructure required for each Lot; and (d) support participation by specialist SME suppliers in accordance with section 12(4) of the Procurement Act 2023.
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Sept 2033
First published
19 Jan 2026, 17:34 GMT
Last source update
16 Oct 2026, 11:40 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 23 Jul 2026
Authority reference
CAS-01240-W3D2X3
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-043242
Accelerated
Qualifying planned procurement notice
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipmentSocial servicesTelecommunications equipment and suppliesTelecommunications services
Delivery area
UKEast of England (UKH)London (UKI)South East (UKJ)South West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060945 Find a Tender
How it runs

Single-stage competitive procedure with the option for clarification meetings, supplier presentations and site visits (Lot 2) at Aster's discretion in accordance with section 10 of the Invitation to Tender. The procedure comprises:

Stage 1: Selection Questionnaire (pass/fail) assessed against the exclusion grounds at Schedules 6 and 7 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the conditions of participation set out in the Invitation to Tender

Stage 2: Compliance review of tender submissions (pass/fail)

Stage 3: Weighted evaluation of Quality (60%) and Price (40%), with optional clarification meetings, presentations and/or site visits

Review and risk notes
Risks

Section 20 consultation

This procurement is subject to consultation with leaseholders under section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 in respect of qualifying long-term agreements. The notice of intention (Stage 1) has been issued and the statement of estimates (Stage 2) will follow the conclusion of tender evaluation. Award is conditional on the satisfactory completion of consultation.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Requests to participate (first stage)
2 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
Submission deadline
8 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
29 May 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

in-tendhost.co.uk/aster/aspx/Home ↗

Tenders must be submitted via the In-Tend e-tendering portal only. Submissions made by any other means will not be considered.

Timeline

19 Jan 2026 → 16 Oct 2026 · 11 dates
  1. Planning notice published270 days ago
    19 Jan 2026, 17:34 GMT
  2. Next notice expected270 days ago
    19 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
  3. Expressions of interest by229 days ago
    2 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
  4. Tender notice published158 days ago
    11 May 2026, 18:38 BST
  5. Clarification questions by141 days ago
    29 May 2026, 12:00 BST
  6. Submission deadline131 days ago
    8 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
  7. Assessment summaries sent92 days ago
    17 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
  8. Award decision expected by85 days ago
    23 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
  9. Standstill ends80 days ago
    28 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
  10. Contract starts46 days ago
    1 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
  11. Latest notice published1 day ago
    16 Oct 2026, 11:40 BST

Notice history

11 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 19 Jan 2026
  1. Planned procurement notice published
    19 Jan 2026, 17:34 GMT
    UK3
  2. Planned procurement notice published
    19 Jan 2026, 17:41 GMT
    UK3
  3. Tender notice published
    11 May 2026, 18:38 BST
    UK4
  4. Status changed to active
    11 May 2026, 18:38 BST
  5. Procurement method changed
    11 May 2026, 18:38 BST
  6. Deadline published: 8 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
    11 May 2026, 18:38 BST
  7. Contract award notice published
    17 Jul 2026, 10:52 BST
    UK6
  8. Status changed to complete
    17 Jul 2026, 10:52 BST
  9. Contract signature expected
    23 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  10. Contract signature expected
    25 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  11. Contract details notice published
    16 Oct 2026, 11:40 BST
    UK7
Routine re-releases (5)
  • 2026-01: 2 releases · 19 Jan 2026, 19 Jan 2026

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 2
Awarded value £2,888,0502 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 94 from SMEs
Contracts signed 2latest 29 Sept 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Hard-Wired and Digital Alarm Unit (DAU) Maintenance of Call Monitoring Systems1 award
Openview Security Solutions Limited23 Sept 2026 – 22 Sept 2030 · up to 22 Sept 2034Extensions: 4 years initial term, with 2 optional extensions of 2 years each (4+2+2). Maximum term 8 years.£1,664,02517 Jul 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) Services1 award
Appello Careline Limited23 Sept 2026 – 22 Sept 2030 · up to 22 Sept 2034Extensions: 4 years initial term, with 2 optional extensions of 2 years each (4+2+2). Maximum term 8 years.£1,224,02517 Jul 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • Hard-Wired and Digital Alarm Unit (DAU) Maintenance of Call Monitoring Systems · Openview Security Solutions Limited

    Signed
    29 Sept 2026
    Value
    £1,664,025
    Period
    30 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2030 · up to 29 Oct 2034 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    2x 2 year optional extensions at Aster's discretion
    3 agreed KPIs: KPI1 - Priority 1 (Critical) attendance · KPI2 - Priority 1 (Critical) completion · KPI3 - Priority 2 (Emergency) attendance
    • KPI1 - Priority 1 (Critical) attendance, % of Priority 1 faults attended within 4 hours, measured from fault notification to time on site
    • KPI2 - Priority 1 (Critical) completion, % of Priority 1 faults completed within 24 hours where parts are available; temporary measures must be in place where parts are not available
    • KPI3 - Priority 2 (Emergency) attendance, % of Priority 2 faults attended within 24 hours

  • Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) Services · Appello Careline Limited

    Signed
    29 Sept 2026
    Value
    £1,224,025
    Period
    30 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2030 · up to 29 Oct 2034 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    2x optional 2 year extensions at aster discretion
    3 agreed KPIs: KPI1 - Alarm-to-answer within 60 seconds · KPI2 - Alarm-to-answer within 180 seconds · KPI3 - Complaint rate
    • KPI1 - Alarm-to-answer within 60 seconds, % of all calls answered within 60 seconds
    • KPI2 - Alarm-to-answer within 180 seconds, % of all calls answered within 180 seconds
    • KPI3 - Complaint rate, % of customers who raise a monitoring-related complaint in the period

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Hard-Wired and Digital Alarm Unit (DAU) Maintenance of Call Monitoring Systems4final-stage tenders30—
2 · Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) Services5final-stage tenders10—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

ASTER GROUP LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: IP29573R · GB-PPON: PRNW-9755-MGMY Sarson Court, Devizes, South West, SN10 2AZContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

2 commercial parties on the notice
  • APPELLO CARELINE LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 03229746GB-PPON: PPBB-1568-HJRG Oregon House, New Milton, South East, BH25 5NNContact email
  • OPENVIEW SECURITY SOLUTIONS LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 03376202GB-PPON: PJZV-6996-LDGN Openview House, Chesham Close, Essex, London, RM7 7PJContact email

Official documents & specifications (12)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Planned procurement notice planningPlanned procurement noticeUK3Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
  • Planned procurement notice planningPlanned procurement noticeUK3Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender