Acquisition, Design and Build framework (ADB framework)

DMSL managed a tender on behalf of the mobile network operators (EE, Telefonica, Three and Vodafone, collectively the "Contracting Organisations") to appoint suppliers who are able to provide all of the ADB services for mobile telecoms base station sites. Each of the Contracting Organisations is a signatory to the ADB framework.

Neither DMSL nor the Contracting Organisations are contracting authorities. This tender is being conducted voluntarily under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("PCR") as call offs awarded under the framework will be contracts subsidised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport within the meaning of Regulation 13 of the PCR.

The ADB framework may be used by each of the Contracting Organisations and each of their Build companies: Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited (CTIL) and Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL).

DMSL managed this tender, on behalf of the Contracting Organisations, to appoint suppliers on a ADB framework, to provide all of the services of Acquisition, Design and Build services for telecoms mast base station sites. The ADB services are to be provided, through the call-off contracts, in different combinations or as a single solution.

These sites are part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) which consists of circa 300 new telecoms mast base station sites in rural and remote locations across the UK. The sites are planned to be delivered either through this ADB framework or through a Managed Services framework (the procurement for which is being run in parallel), or a combination of both frameworks.

These sites will enable Contracting Organisations, as part of the SRN programme, to fulfil their Ofcom Spectrum licence obligations by giving greater 4G mobile network geographic coverage in the UK.

Each of the Contracting Organisations is a signatory to the ADB framework.

The scope of ADB services includes Acquisition, Design and Build. Radio access equipment is outside the scope of this procurement and will be supplied through the Contracting Organisations.

It is expected that the supplier will provide any project management necessary to carry out this role and liaise with other project participants in achieving a successful delivery of a site location.