DWP - Shared Channels Experience - Secure Communications Hardware

Context

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is undertaking market research to understand technical capability and capacity to secure communications devices which are utilised for surveillance purposes.

This document sets out some detail about the Department's requirement and the context within which the service will operate.

Disclaimer

This RFI does not commit the DWP to undertaking any formal procurement activity. This RFI is a means through which the DWP can test their current thinking with the market and obtain appropriate market feedback.

Participation, or non-participation, in this RFI will not favour, disadvantage, or preclude any parties who receive the RFI in any subsequent procurement activity. However, responses to the RFI will be used to shortlist suppliers for the purpose of conducting supplier plenary sessions and system trials.

Suppliers who are not shortlisted will not be prevented from participating in any future market competition for this project.

The information contained in this RFI may change prior to any future market competition. The DWP reserves the right to cancel or amend any future requirement or commercial competition opportunity.

The Customer - DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy within the UK. As the UK's biggest public service Department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age and disability benefits to around 20 million claimants, primarily in the UK.

The Customer - Fraud, Error & Debt

The Fraud, Error & Debt subcategory currently has a contract for the provision of secure communication devices which is due to end in July 2024. The devices are deployed in departmental surveillance operations to combat benefit fraud and associated criminality.

Counter Fraud and Compliance Directorate is a Law Enforcement Agency whose officers undertake surveillance operations, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Operations are conducted throughout the whole of the UK including urban and rural locations.

Interested parties are requested to register interest using email address: - cd.digitalchannels@dwp.gov.uk by 9th October 2023. The full RFI will then be shared with interested parties on the 10th October 2023.

**Update 11/10/23** The RFI has been shared in line with the above. Interested parties may still register their interest and receive the RFI, however, please note that no extensions will be granted to the response deadline of Thursday 26th October 2023.