PfH Telecoms Network and Infrastructure Framework: Supplier Guide

The PfH Telecoms Network and Infrastructure Framework is a substantial opportunity, covering four lots from network infrastructure to unified communications, mobile and 5G, and digital inclusion. With a strong quality weighting and significant spend, it rewards suppliers who can evidence reliable delivery, measurable outcomes and clear value.

Thornton & Lowe helps bidders shape compelling, compliant submissions that stand out on proof, not promises. Our team applies a proven win rate above 75% to focus your strategy, strengthen your evidence and present a confident case to secure a place on the framework.

About the Framework

This framework is administered by Procurement for Housing (PfH). PfH runs framework agreements, dynamic markets and other procurement activities for the social housing sector.

The Telecoms Network and Infrastructure Framework is designed to give social housing and wider public bodies a compliant, flexible route to telecoms, networking, unified communications, mobile and digital inclusion solutions. It will run for three years with an option to extend by one, with an estimated value of £99m including VAT.

Once awarded, eligible users can place call-off contracts either directly with appointed suppliers or via further competitive selection, as permitted under the Procurement Act 2023. That means strong positioning at framework stage can translate into faster, lower-friction awards later.

The framework places no cap on the number of suppliers and charges a 0% supplier fee, so focus is squarely on demonstrating capability and value. If you need more guidance, read our five expert tips for framework agreements.

Key Facts: Dates, Value and Procedure

This framework is valued at £99m including VAT and is expected to run for three years with an option to extend by one. It is being let under an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, with evaluation set at quality 60% and price 40%, and submissions made through the Find a Tender flow via the buyer’s portal.

Key dates to be aware of:

• Enquiry deadline: 12:00, 20 October 2025
• Tender submission deadline: 12:00, 3 November 2025 via mytenders
• Award decision (estimated): 16 January 2026

What matters most at this stage is preparation against the quality weighting. Prioritise recent case evidence, measurable outcomes, service governance and risk controls, then align these to the questions for your chosen lots. If you want a refresher on how the regime shapes routes to market and call-offs, our overview of the Procurement Act essentials is a useful primer.

For teams new to the post-Act environment, the Cabinet Office’s short guide for suppliers provides a clear summary of the new notices and the enhanced Find a Tender service. Use it to sense-check internal processes before you finalise your response pack.

Lot Structure

Lot 1: Network Infrastructure, Services, Hardware & Cybersecurity

Scope in brief

• Design, deployment and management of core networks
• Full-fibre, leased lines, WAN/LAN
• Hardware procurement and installation
• Managed network services; maintenance and optimisation
• Cybersecurity and secure connectivity

What to line up

• Recent designs with performance baselines and improvements
• Service model, SLAs, escalation and change control
• Security architecture and incident response pack
• Hardware catalogue, lead times and RMA process
• Migration and outage risk analysis

If you want help turning technical proof into scoring answers, our expert bid writing support can structure responses and evidence cleanly.

Lot 2a: Unified Communications & Collaboration (Licence-based)

Scope in brief

• Cloud telephony (VoIP, SIP Trunking, Hosted PBX)
• Collaboration platforms (Teams, Zoom, Webex, Slack)
• Unified messaging (voicemail-to-email, SMS gateways, internal chat)
• Video conferencing hardware
• Licence-based delivery model

What to line up

• Integration references (UC, CCaaS, CRM) and adoption plans
• Resilience design, QoS, call quality analytics
• Licence optimisation and user onboarding approach
• Training, change and cutover planning

Use our bid writing guide to shape concise, high-scoring narratives.

Lot 3: SmartConnect – Mobile, 5G & Hardware solutions

Scope in brief

• Mobile voice/data plans (4G/5G SIMs)
• Smartphones, tablets and rugged devices
• Mobile Device Management (MDM)
• AI-based device health monitoring
• Private 5G networks and edge computing

What to line up

• Device catalogue, warranties and supply chain resilience
• MDM policies, zero-touch enrolment and security baselines
• Field support model and SLA response times
• Sustainability and lifecycle measures

Lot 4: Digital Inclusion, Wi-Fi & IoT solutions

Scope in brief

• Community Wi-Fi and affordable broadband
• Device access programmes (loan schemes, refurbished kit)
• Digital skills training with AI-personalised learning
• IoT applications (environmental monitoring, assisted living)
• AI-based anomaly detection and Wi-Fi optimisation

What to line up

• Outcome-based plans for inclusion and affordability
• Safeguarding, data protection and consent approach
• Measurement framework for resident impact
• Partnerships with civic, charity or community groups

If your bid hinges on measurable community outcomes, our social value bid writing can help you evidence and track delivery.

Lot Structure at a Glance

How Scoring Works

This competition places more emphasis on quality than price, so the winning edge comes from clear, verifiable proof of delivery. Think in terms of outcomes, governance and improvement over time rather than features alone.

What evaluators look for

• Proven delivery: recent, relevant case studies with baselines, results and named references.
• Method and mobilisation: who does what, when, and how risks are controlled during transition and early life support.
• Performance management: KPIs you will own, how they are measured, and the reporting packs buyers can adopt at call-off.
• Security and compliance: practical controls across identity, devices, networks and data, plus incident response and training evidence.
• Social value and inclusion: commitments tailored to housing settings, with metrics, partners and a plan to track impact.
• Pricing narrative: a transparent model that explains assumptions, whole-life value, indexation and how you will protect value over the term.
• Sustainability: supply chain resilience, repair and reuse, energy considerations and end-of-life plans.

How to turn capability into points

• Mirror the lot scope in your examples and language.
• Convert expert knowledge into short proofs: diagrams, SLAs, RACI charts, registers and logs.
• Signpost evidence with labels and cross-references so assessors can find it fast.
• Close each answer with a measurable promise: target, time frame and owner.

Readiness Checklist

Lot selection and strategy

☐ Confirm which lots you will pursue and why, based on capability, margins and referenceability.

☐ Map each lot to named delivery leads, partners and coverage.

Evidence bank

☐ 2–3 recent case studies per lot with baselines, results and references.

☐ KPI pack: current performance, target improvements, and reporting templates.

☐ Governance artefacts: RACI, escalation paths, change control, risk and issue logs.

Technical annexes

☐ Lot 1: network designs, capacity models, cutover plans, resilience testing results.

☐ Lot 2a/2b: UC and CCaaS integration diagrams, adoption and training plans, licence or usage rationale.

☐ Lot 3: device catalogue, MDM policies, zero-touch enrolment steps, private 5G architecture where applicable.

☐ Lot 4: inclusion delivery plan, safeguarding approach, IoT data flows and privacy controls.

Security and compliance

☐ Statements of applicability for ISO-style controls or equivalent; Cyber Essentials details.

☐ Incident response workflow with roles, SLAs and evidence of exercises.

☐ Data protection impact notes covering identity, devices, networks and storage.

Pricing and value

☐ Transparent pricing model with assumptions, breakpoints, indexation and whole-life value.

☐ Clear narrative on efficiencies, sustainability choices and demand variability.

Mobilisation and assurance

☐ Mobilisation plan with milestones, acceptance criteria and early life support.

☐ Resourcing plan, CVs and cover arrangements; supply chain resilience and spares strategy.

☐ Business continuity and disaster recovery summary with recent test evidence.

Social value and outcomes

☐ Measurable commitments tied to housing settings, partners and communities.

☐ Metrics, verification methods and reporting cadence.

Submission hygiene

☐ Portal readiness: registrations, user permissions, file formats and word counts.

☐ Compliance checklist matched to each question and lot.

☐ Final red team review for clarity, proof and scoring alignment.

FAQs

Who can use this framework?
PfH members across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and other eligible public bodies, can place orders through the agreement.

Can suppliers bid for more than one lot?
Yes. You can apply for one or several lots, provided your evidence matches the scope and requirements set out for each lot.

How will call-off contracts be awarded?
Once the framework is in place, buyers can either make a direct award where the Procurement Act criteria are met or run a further competitive selection among appointed suppliers.

What is the length and estimated value of the framework?
The agreement is expected to run for three years with an option to extend by one, with an estimated total value of £99m including VAT.

Are SMEs encouraged to bid?
Yes. The Procurement Act aims to make it easier for organisations of all sizes to engage with public procurement, including small businesses and social enterprises.

Where do I register and find the tender documents?
The notice and links to the tender pack are on Find a Tender, which is the government’s platform for public procurement notices.

What should I prepare before I start writing answers?
At minimum: recent case studies aligned to your chosen lots, KPIs and reporting templates, service governance and risk controls, security documentation, and a clear pricing method. The tender pack on mytenders includes an evaluation guide and a submission checklist to structure your response.

Can I join the framework later if I miss the submission window?
You can only join when the buyer opens the framework to competition. Keep an eye on Find a Tender alerts for future opportunities and notice types.

Does the scope cover AI-enabled and IoT solutions?
Yes. The lots include areas such as AI-based device health monitoring, digital inclusion and IoT applications alongside core networking and unified communications.

Can you help me build a compliant, high-scoring bid?
Absolutely. Thornton & Lowe’s bid writing service will shape a concise strategy, align evidence to the criteria and create a submission plan to win a place on the framework. See our overview of bid writing support.

Win a Place with Expert Bid Writing Support

Need a sharper bid? We’ll plan it, write it and polish it. Clear answers. Solid proof. A submission that reads confident and credible.

Thornton & Lowe brings a win rate above 75% and deep framework experience. Send your chosen lots and current evidence pack, and we’ll return a rapid outline with roles, timelines and a crisp pricing narrative. If you want full support, our expert bid writing team covers drafting, reviews and final sign-off.