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Prisoner Integrated Communications Service (PICS) – Preliminary Market Engagement
Descriptions
The Prisoner Integrated Communications Service (PICS) is to replace the current Prisoner Telephony Service (PTS) currently implemented across public prisons in England and Wales. The current PTS involves use of what are widely referred to as PIN phones - pay-phone devices, which are operated with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) linked to a specified prisoner’s account (instead of cash or a phonecard). A prisoner can only make calls to limited nominated numbers which are pre-vetted. This includes family, friends, legal representatives and the Samaritans. This service is currently provided to approximately 70,000 prisoners, through over 60,000 in-cell phones and 5,000 wing phones, across 109 public prisons in England and Wales. The service is critical for prisoners and prison staff as it contributes to wellbeing, rehabilitation, and supports discipline by enabling prisoners to maintain contact with key people such as friends, family and support services. The replacement PICS will provide prisoners in England and Wales with strictly monitored digital communication channels (voice, messaging & potentially in-cell video at a later date) via digital devices such as laptops or tablets (currently Launchpad laptops) to securely contact family and friends, legal contacts, prison officers and external organisations to support their overall wellbeing and rehabilitation. MoJ is in the process of defining its design for the future PICS and is seeking supplier insights and feedback for potential enhancement options that could be included in the proposed solution through preliminary market engagement.
Engagement
MoJ hosted an early market engagement event on the 28 February 2023. In November 2023 MoJ informed suppliers that had expressed an interest in the opportunity and attended the event that the prisoner telephony project would be paused to enable a further period of discovery in anticipation of hosting the next market engagement event at the end of Q1 or early Q2 2024 which was delayed by the general election. MoJ issued a further PIN in August 2024 to inform the market of the MoJ’s intention to re-engage with suppliers through a market engagement webinar to be held on 19 September 2024 and to publish a Request For Information (RFI) seeking suppliers’ input into a series of questions aimed at developing the potential PTR solution and testing market appetite. MoJ is seeking for organisations to respond to a further Request for Information (RFI) in order to inform the future design for the Prisoner Integrated Communications Service and give organisations the ability to submit their thoughts on various aspects of the potential future requirements. Suppliers interesting in responding to the RFI are asked to submit their responses to this RFI by the 22nd of May 2025. MoJ may choose to engage further with suppliers throughout the pre procurement process that may include; • a request for information (RFI) • webinar(s) • one to one supplier meetings • supplier presentations • solution demonstrations • workshops Organisations should respond to this Notice by registering on the MoJ eSourcing Portal at https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/ and, within the eSourcing Portal, register for event ‘ Prisoner Integrated Communication Service'. Once registered and your account has been activated, please email prisonercommunication@justice.gov.uk confirming your interest in participating in the market engagement by responding to the RFI so you can be granted access to view, share and submit information relating to this and any future market engagement.
Timeline
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Tender Regions
CPV Codes
64214400 - Communication land-line rental
32250000 - Mobile telephones
64212800 - Pay phone provider services
64212100 - Short Message Service (SMS) services
32412100 - Telecommunications network
64212900 - Pre paid phone card provider services
32524000 - Telecommunications system
64215000 - IP Telephone services
32520000 - Telecommunications cable and equipment
Keywords
smartphone
telecom system
telecom hardware
kiosk telephony
mobile device
cell phone
cellular phone
mobile phone
carrier network
pay-station telephone
public phone operation
telephony network
bulk text messaging
voice/data line hire
broadband phone access
fiber-optic cables
voice/data system
SIP voice communication
street phone operator
cable infrastructure
card-based call service
online voice network
pay-as-you-go calling
copper telecom cables
public call service
SMS gateway service
copper-line leasing
SMS broadcast system
dedicated line hire
text message delivery
hosted PBX solution
telecom infrastructure
software-based telephony
virtual phone system
prepaid PIN calls
IP voice infrastructure
coin-op phone service
phone booth service
telecom cable leasing
top-up phone card
SMS campaign service
prepaid telephony
public access telephony
SMS alert provision
VoIP call provision
mobile text alerting
telecom service network
private circuit rental
IP-based voice calls
mobile SMS notification
prepaid voice vouchers
scratch-card telecom service
community payphone provision
telecommunications network
internet telephony service
leased voice/data circuit
communication network system
two-way messaging service
text communication service
permanent land-line service
network cabling components
prepaid calling card service
fixed-line rental service
landline communication lease
telecommunications cables
international telecom card
coin telephone management
leased telephone line provision
telecom voucher distribution
integrated telecom system
Tender Lot Details & Award Criteria
1 Tender Lots
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