Telematching Services

{
  "id": "080415-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-08-24T14:39:47+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06eab0",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PMZG-4913-JQXG",
    "name": "Office for National Statistics"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "CS-27-077",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-04-12T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-10-19T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "64212100",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Short Message Service (SMS) services"
          },
          {
            "id": "64216000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Electronic message and information services"
          },
          {
            "id": "72314000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Data collection and collation services"
          },
          {
            "id": "72320000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Database services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Telematching Services",
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, to inform its approach to a forthcoming requirement for Telematching and SMS messaging services in support of the 2027 Census Test. \nONS is conducting this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to inform the development of its planned procurements. ONS is supported by its commercial delivery partner, 4C Associates, in undertaking market engagement activities, including supplier communications and market analysis. ONS remains solely responsible for all procurement governance, approvals and contractual decisions. \nSingle Statement of User Need (SSUN): \nONS is the UK's national statistical institute and largest producer of official statistics, providing data on key economic, social and demographic topics. \nONS is a central part of the Government Statistical Service (GSS), which is the cross government community responsible for producing official statistics across the UK. ONS operates as the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, an independent body at arm's length from government which oversees and protects the production and publication of official statistics that 'serve the public good'. \nONS' Mission is: \"To deliver trustworthy, independent, high-quality statistics that underpin the UK's most critical economic and societal decisions and inform the public.\" \nThe Office for National Statistics (ONS) requires a Telematching and SMS reminder service to support the delivery and evaluation of the 2027 Census Test. The service will enable ONS to assess whether SMS reminders improve Census response rates and provide evidence to inform future Census design decisions. \nTo support the delivery of the 2027 Census Test, the Supplier shall provide and manage the Telematching, SMS delivery, management information and associated data handling services required by the Customer, as more particularly described in this Notice. Full details will be set out in the Specification issued as part of any subsequent procurement process. \nFor the 2027 Census Test, the Supplier shall: \nProvide a Telematching service to identify and match mobile telephone numbers to residential addresses supplied by ONS (circa ~120,000 addresses); \nReceive address files from ONS and return flagged files confirming which addresses have a matched mobile number meeting ONS's minimum quality criteria (for example, confirmed as belonging to an adult resident and validated as current), without returning the underlying telephone numbers to ONS. Full quality criteria will be set out in the Specification issued as part of any subsequent procurement process; \nComplete an initial Telematching exercise and a subsequent refresh of matched records prior to Census 2027 Test operations; \nSend SMS reminders on ONS's behalf, using ONS-approved message content and in accordance with the operational timetable and campaign requirements defined by ONS; \nManage SMS delivery outcomes, including delivery reporting and opt-out management; \nProvide management information, reporting and operational performance data to support evaluation of the Census Test; \nEnsure all collected data is processed, stored, transferred and deleted in accordance with contractual security, privacy and legal requirements; \nParticipate in testing, onboarding, assurance and readiness activities required by ONS; and \nProvide confirmation of data deletion and service decommissioning following completion of the service. \nThe Supplier shall work in partnership with ONS to deliver a secure, compliant, and high-performing Telematching and SMS Reminder Service that supports the successful delivery of the 2027 Census Test and contributes to achieving programme objectives. \nAs a trusted public body, ONS places the utmost importance on maintaining public confidence in the Census. Accordingly, the Supplier must evidence exemplary ethical standards and robust governance arrangements in the sourcing, management, safeguarding, and use of mobile number data, including address allocation activities. Through transparent, lawful, and responsible practices, the Supplier shall support ONS in maintaining public trust and confidence, ensuring that the Census continues to be recognised as a trusted, credible, and nationally important statistical undertaking. \nIndicative dates: \nTrial sample test (100 addresses) - October 2026 \nMain address file provided to supplier - November 2026 \nTelematched file returned - End of November 2026 \nData refresh exercise - March 2027 \nSMS reminders sent (Census Day) - 14 March 2027 \nSMS follow-up reminder sent - 23 March 2027 \nIndicative Minimum Requirements: \nGiven the nature of the personal data involved, any supplier (and relevant sub-contractors) will be expected to hold, or be able to evidence progress towards, prior to contract award, the following: \nISO 27001 certification (or equivalent Information Security Management System); \nCyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification; \nUK-based data storage and processing only; \nBaseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) vetting for relevant staff; and \nCompliance with UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.",
    "aboveThreshold": false,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PMZG-4913-JQXG",
      "name": "Office for National Statistics",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKL21",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Newport",
        "postalCode": "NP10 8XG",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Government Buildings, Cardiff Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PMZG-4913-JQXG",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "Census2031.Supplier.Engagement@ons.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "080415-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080415-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-08-24T14:39:47+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-09-04T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "ONS invites interested suppliers to submit a written expression of interest, addressing: \nConfirmation of capability to deliver the Telematching and SMS sending services described in this Notice, including the indicative minimum requirements; and \nHow the supplier will ensure that all activities are conducted ethically, transparently, lawfully, and in accordance with recognised industry best practice, enabling ONS to uphold public confidence and reinforce the Census as a trusted and authoritative national statistical exercise. \nDetails of any relevant public sector frameworks through which these services may be procured. Where applicable, suppliers should identify the framework name, framework provider, framework reference number, and the relevant lot(s). \nResponses should be submitted in writing to Census2031.Supplier.Engagement@ons.gov.uk by 17:00 on 4 September 2026. \nResponses must not exceed 1,000 words, inclusive of any text contained within diagrams, images, tables or other embedded content. \nONS may follow up with suppliers directly to discuss and clarify their responses. \nThis is an informal engagement exercise and does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment by ONS to procure. ONS will not take participation in this engagement into account in any subsequent procurement process. Participation will confer no advantage or disadvantage to any supplier. ONS has not yet determined the route to market. Information gathered through this UK2 notice will inform whether ONS proceeds via a framework, dynamic market, competitive procedure or other compliant procurement route."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}