Business Radio Replacement

Sedgemoor are requesting expressions of interest at this stage only. Interested parties should confirm their interest by providing via email confirmation that they can meet all of the requirements below with a link to their website where evidence of these services can be found or brochures attached to evidence this if a website is not available. Emails may be submitted via the portal or to procurement@sedgemoor.gov.uk. At this stage it is expected that further information will be released to interested parties who have provided sufficient evidence that they can meet the requirements and a tender/quote then requested from these interested parties. in the event that there is a lot of interest Sedgemoor reserve the right to shortlist and only approach those parties who they are satisfied can meet their requirements. We are looking for an established radio systems provider with demonstrable experience of supplying and supporting handheld portable radios to business crime reduction partnerships in the UK. We require digital radio infrastructure with support from a 24/7 contact centre. Push-to-talk Over Cellular (PoC) solutions will not be considered.

Resilience is essential and UPS/Battery Backup must provide a minimum of 8 hours service in the event of a mains power failure. Recovery times, by SLA, will be 24 hours for critical infrastructure failures, however alternative Channels should be made available where possible to limit the impact on service delivery. Engineers are to be located within 2 hours of Bridgwater, Somerset, and same day repairs are to be carried out wherever possible. Replacements and replacement parts are to be dispatched with a maximum of one working day disruption to service.

We currently have 105 handsets in use in our town centres, with the potential for growth as the Business Crime Reduction Partnership expands. Digital repeater stations will be required in 3 towns initially. The supplier will provide the required OFCOM licences.

Command and control dispatcher software is required on a minimum of two operator stations. Software is to include the ability for Sedgemoor to change call signs, 'stun' radios and record and playback radio transmissions. It is desirable that we will be able to 'point to point' call radio users for private transmissions. The software must be able to process emergency activations from handsets to alert the dispatcher.

End users consist of retail and night-time economy workers, council staff, and the police. Handsets must to robust with a minimum IP54 dust and waterproof rating. The push to talk button must be prominent for ease of operation. Handsets should be lightweight with a slim profile and be provided or compatible with earpieces.

It is desirable that the provider will deliver training to end users on handset use and to dispatchers on use of the system, including refresher training on at least an annual basis. User guidance notes are essential.

We are looking for a shared revenue service where the provider will carry out invoicing and debt collection on Sedgemoor's behalf and will return business crime reduction partnership membership fees to Sedgemoor.