How long are NS3 call-off contracts?

Typical call-off length is 3 to 5 years, with extension options. Network refresh contracts at the larger end can sit closer to 7 years.

How is RM6178 different from G-Cloud for telecoms?

G-Cloud sells productised cloud services and lightweight integrations. NS3 is the right route for managed connectivity, mobile voice, and contact centre platforms where the network is the product.

How does Bidwell help on NS3 bids?

Bidwell catches every NS3 further competition, scores it for fit, drafts the technical response in your house style and recalls the right past references. It removes the bid-writing bottleneck so your engineers can focus on the solution.

UK framework agreement

RM6178 Network Services 3

RM6178 is the UK government framework for telecoms and network services. The third generation of Network Services, it covers WAN, LAN, mobile voice and data, internet access, unified communications and contact centre services for the public sector.

RM6178

CCS reference

lots

~150

suppliers on the framework

Right fit if

Right for network and telecoms providers, mobile virtual network operators, contact centre platform vendors and integrators. Particularly strong if you can deliver across multiple lots, buyers increasingly want a single supplier for connected workplace and contact centre needs.

Wrong fit if

Wrong fit if your offering is purely cloud-hosted SaaS without an underlying network service (use G-Cloud), if you only sell to a single non-public-sector buyer, or if you cannot field UK-resident security cleared engineers when needed.

Lots in this framework

Lot 1: Wide Area Network
WAN connectivity and managed network services.
Lot 2: Local Area Network
LAN provision and managed services.
Lot 3: Mobile Voice and Data
Mobile network services, including bulk SIMs and managed mobile.
Lot 4: Internet Access Services
Internet connectivity, including DDoS and security overlays.
Lot 5: Unified Communications and Contact Centre
UCaaS and CCaaS platforms, hosted and on-prem.

Illustrative recent call-offs

Plausible call-off examples for context. Real awards live at /buyers.

Mobile voice and data refresh, 18,000 SIMs
Department of Health and Social Care, 2025-12-08
6500000
WAN refresh across 240 council sites
Birmingham City Council, 2025-11-04
9200000
Cloud contact centre for citizen helpline
HM Revenue and Customs, 2025-10-14
2700000

How Bidwell helps you bid on RM6178 Network Services 3

Bidwell pulls every NS3 further competition as it publishes, drafts the technical and commercial response in parallel, and reuses your past similar engagements as evidence. So your network architects spend their time on solution design rather than rewriting capability statements.

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Frequently asked

Bidwell vs RM6178 Network Services 3, in short

Yes, and many suppliers do. There is no penalty for being on more than one lot, and buyers running combined call-offs (e.g. WAN plus LAN) prefer suppliers who can do both.

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Set up takes 15 minutes. First tender draft inside the hour.

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