MIC to open bidding for Comprehensive Radio Bureau Management System operation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has announced that it will open a general competitive bid for a comprehensive contract for integrated operation services for the Comprehensive Radio Station Management System. The announcement was published in the Official Gazette Extra (Government Procurement Announcement Edition) dated November 6, 2026, under the name of Masayuki Higashi, Planning Officer of the Accounting Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, who serves as the certifying officer. The procurement agency number is 012, the location number is 13, and the item classification numbers are 71 and 27.

Procurement of Core Radio Administration System Subject to Government Procurement Agreement

As explicitly stated in the announcement, this is a project published in the government procurement announcement edition, including procurement subject to the Agreement on Government Procurement based on the WTO. An English summary stating “System operations of PARTNER system 1 set” is provided, and the scope of procurement is defined as one set of operation services for the PARTNER system. In other words, this is a large-scale project where an external contractor will handle the operation of the core system for radio administration, which supports licensing, inspection, and supervision related to radio wave utilization, spanning across fiscal years.

The procurement title is “Comprehensive contract for integrated operation services for the Comprehensive Radio Station Management System,” and the specifications, delivery deadline, and delivery location for the procurement project are all based on the bidding instructions. The language and currency to be used for contract procedures are limited to Japanese and Japanese currency. While the preparation of a written contract is required, bid bonds and performance bonds are waived.

Bidding via Electronic Procurement System, Deadline December 2 at 5:00 PM

This project assumes that bidding, bid opening, and contracting procedures will be conducted using the Electronic Procurement System, and the procedural details are as follows:

• Bidding Briefing: November 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM, Bidding Room, Accounting Division, Minister’s Secretariat, MIC
• Submission of Proposals, etc.: From November 25 to December 2, 5:00 PM, submitted via the Electronic Procurement System
• Bid Submission Deadline: December 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM
• Bid Opening: December 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM, Bidding Room, Accounting Division, Minister’s Secretariat, MIC
• Contact: Contract Section 2, Accounting Division, Minister’s Secretariat, MIC (Contact: Ryohei Nakamura, Tel: 03-5253-5132)

If using the Electronic Procurement System is difficult, paper-based bidding, bid opening, and contracting procedures will be permitted only if a written explanation, as specified in the bidding instructions, is submitted by December 2 at 5:00 PM and approved. Paper bids must be placed in an envelope, sealed, and submitted by the deadline with the bidder’s name, the bid title, and the bid opening date written on the front.

Grade A or B of the All-Ministry Unified Qualification is a Prerequisite for Bidding

Eligibility to participate in the competition is strictly limited. It is a prerequisite that the participant does not fall under the provisions of Articles 70 and 71 of the Budget, Settlement of Accounts and Accounting Order. Furthermore, eligibility is limited to those rated Grade A or B for “Provision of Services, etc.” under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Competition Participation Qualifications (Unified Qualifications for All Government Ministries) and who possess competition participation qualifications for the Kanto/Koshinetsu region. Bids from unqualified persons or bids that violate the bidding conditions shall be deemed invalid.

The successful bidder will be determined via the Comprehensive Evaluation Bidding Method from among bidders who have submitted a bid amount within the limit of the estimated price based on the provisions of Article 79 of the aforementioned Accounting Order, and whose proposals meet all the criteria for essential items such as performance and functions specified in the bid explanation documents. The fact that technical proposals are evaluated in addition to price works in favor of operators with established operational structures and fault-response capabilities.

Since the winning bid price is determined by adding an amount equivalent to 10% to the amount stated in the bid document (rounding down fractions of 1 yen), bidders are required to state an amount equivalent to 100/110 of their estimated contract amount. This applies regardless of whether the operator is a taxable or tax-exempt entity.

Significance for Operators

The operation of a core system that handles the licensing and supervision of radio stations is a domain requiring annual continuity and high availability; therefore, the contractor gains a position to accumulate long-term operational experience. This public notice was published on November 6, with the briefing session on November 13 and the bidding deadline on December 2. For IT operators holding the Unified Qualifications for All Government Ministries, the short preparation period acts as a practical barrier to entry. As this is a project subject to the Government Procurement Agreement, the transparency of the procurement process and the evaluation criteria for the proposal content will serve as a reference point for similar future projects.

Source: Official Gazette Extra (Government Procurement Notice Edition) dated November 6, 2026, Bid Notice “Contract for Integrated Operation Services for the Comprehensive Radio Station Supervision System (One Set),” Expenditure Burdening Officer: Masayuki Higashi, Planning Officer, Accounting Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Procurement Agency Number 012, Location Number 13, Item Classification Number 71・27.