National Highways Emergency Service Network (ESN) Locker Infrastructure - Market Engagement

National Highways is exploring opportunities to implement a new contract for a Locker and Key Cabinet Infrastructure. National Highways currently utilises the Airwave radio service to provide critical communications between Traffic Officers, Service Providers, and the Emergency Services, however, the Airwave Service is due to be decommissioned by the Home Office and replaced with the Emergency Services Network (ESN), to which all emergency services will transition.

The contract will facilitate National Highways transition to the Emergency Service Network (ESN) to maintain its access to critical communications and interoperability with the emergency services as the existing Traka Locker infrastructure, comprising circa 100 lockers, located at service depots across England and hosting 750+ Airwave radios, is not capable of hosting the ESN handsets.

The successful supplier will provide and migrate to a new locker and key infrastructure starting in April to be completed by the end of August. The lockers will initially have to host the existing Airwave radios. During the transition to ESN, they will be required to host both Airwave Radios and ESN handsets and following transition, just ESN handsets. In addition to the initial requirement for National Highways Service Providers, there is the potential for the supply of additional lockers to cater for National Highways Traffic Officer Service (TOS), who currently use circa 600 additional Airwave radios.

National Highways wishes to meet with potential suppliers, via Microsoft Teams on 17th November 2021 to discuss our aspirations, method of procurement and to answer your questions regarding the delivery of the service. To register your interest in meeting with us on 17th November 2021 please email Oliver Shiels at Oliver.Shiels@highwaysengland.co.uk.