Mobile Data Vehicle Solutions Programme (MDVS)

This Prior Information Notice supersedes PIN 2015/S 163-298673.

The Authority would like to invite the market to register an interest in continuing the market engagement phase of the MDVS Programme, and also to clarify the developing programme scope and objectives as stated below.

Background

The existing mobile data and devices provision was procured by the Department of Health Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP) as a fully managed service, with the contract awarded to Airwave Solutions Limited (ASL) in 2005. Whilst the live service period for each of the Ambulance Trusts was fixed, the original implementation was phased. As a result, ARP services are due to cease in each of the Trust areas over an extended period, which starts in 2017 and ends in 2020.

A separate programme entitled the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (“ESMCP”) has been established with the remit of delivering the future national mobile communication capabilities for all emergency services. This will be known as the Emergency Services Network (“ESN”). ESMCP is a cross-government programme hosted by the Home Office and has representation from all the emergency services.

However, the scope of ESMCP does not include all elements currently covered under the ARP contract. Certain services, including Mobile Data Vehicle Solutions (“MDVS”) and Control Room Solutions (“CRS”) therefore have to be procured separately. Control Room Solutions is part of a separate Department of Health Programme, see PIN Notice 2014/S 209-370220.

One of the objectives of the MDVS Programme is to provide the next generation of mobilisation solutions for data communications replacing or upgrading the current ARP Mobile Data Solutions, to ensure integration with the Emergency Services Network (ESN).

This MDVS PIN therefore relates to the Mobile Data Vehicle Solutions element only and more specifically to the next generation Mobilisation Application.

All English and Welsh Ambulance Trusts currently use ‘mobile data’ as the primary means to send incident or job details to their responding resources. These resources currently include A&E Ambulances, Officer Cars, and rapid response cars. However, in future, this is likely to be extended to include community responders, and other allied health care workers employed to respond to incidents.

Currently, mobilisation messages are received on a mobile data terminal or a radio terminal and the responder communicates back to the control room in the form of status messages. The mobilisation application is also used for local tracking of resources and for navigation.

The new ESN will introduce broadband data and this will enable Trusts to transmit a wider range of information to wider health professionals. The next generation of mobilisation application therefore needs to interface to future innovative initiatives such as tele-medicine, video consultation or remote diagnostic equipment.