Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Blue Badge Production, Distribution & Innovation

THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

Award

30 Sep 2026 at 08:59

Award Notice
Award

11 Mar 2025 at 14:40

Award Notice
Award

11 Nov 2024 at 13:42

Award Notice
Award

08 Nov 2024 at 14:10

Award Notice
TenderUpdate

25 Apr 2024 at 12:56

Tender Notice
Tender

22 Apr 2024 at 15:36

Tender Notice
Planning

15 Feb 2024 at 14:44

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport bought production and UK-wide distribution of Blue Badges and related printed materials, including letters, booklets, inserts and badge wallets. The work also covers delivery to citizens and local authorities using different service levels, support for local authorities and other scheme stakeholders, and collaborative service improvements. Suppliers may need to provide data extracts for requests such as Freedom of Information and could provide badge-tracking information directly to citizens. The procurement also included a broader print and communications lot covering operational, transactional and secure print, direct mail, storage, fulfilment, digital communications and associated production services. This is public-sector printing, print fulfilment and distribution, with digital communications support.

The procurement was awarded through an open procedure for a framework agreement. The original tender deadline was 24 May 2024. For Blue Badge production and distribution, Allied Publicity Services (Manchester) Limited was selected; its contract is valued at £45,348,912 and was signed on 30 September 2026. The broader print and digital communications lot has an active award and an active contract valued at £740 million, signed on 14 February 2025; the supplier entry does not identify the successful firms. The framework duration is 51 months, including a three-month implementation period, and call-offs can run for 48 months. The Blue Badge lot was evaluated on technical quality (80%), social value (10%) and price (10%); the broader lot used quality (80%) and price (20%).

For future Blue Badge production and distribution requirements from the Department for Transport, credible suppliers will need to combine reliable print production with nationwide fulfilment and the ability to serve local authorities and individual badge recipients. Capacity to handle varied delivery options, supporting materials and stakeholder services matters alongside the ability to develop practical service improvements with the scheme’s partners. The evaluation placed most weight on technical quality, with social value also assessed, so a competitive supplier would need clear evidence of service capability and credible social-value commitments as well as pricing. Cyber Essentials was mandatory for relevant services under and connected with the procurement. Suppliers also needed to understand the Government Security Classifications scheme and meet its implications for handling government information.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Blue Badge Production, Distribution & Innovation

Notice Description

Production and distribution of the UK Blue Badge The Department for Transport is volunteering a standstill period for this contract, starting the date of the publication of this notice, ending the day after 10 full days have elapsed.

Lot Information

Print and Digital Communications Lot 1 (Direct Award)

Print production of Blue Badges and accompanying Blue Badge materials (letters, booklets, inserts, clock wallets etc.) in line with each Nation's Policy team's print requirements. End to end distribution from the Supplier print production facilities to the end recipient citizens and LAs, using a range of distribution methods and delivery mechanisms (including standard, fast tracked, recorded and next day delivery) as elected by the LA when ordering badges. Support services for LAs other service stakeholders where required, for example (but not limited to - data extracts to fulfil Freedom of Information requests). Support services may be introduced for Citizens directly by the Supplier during the contract provision and will be accepted and introduced by the Supplier (e.g. tracking information provided to citizens to indicate where the blue badge is in transit). Service innovation and enhancements will be collaboratively developed between the Supplier and stakeholders of the blue badge scheme throughout the course of the contract provision

Print and Digital Communications (Further Competition)

Multiple suppliers, Further Competition lot. The scope included all types of print such as operational, transactional, and secure print, and the associated services such as direct mail, storage, fulfilment and distribution, digital asset management, digital solutions, omni channel communications, content creation, pre-production services, media duplication and official papers. Additional information: Suppliers awarded a Lot 2 contract were not awarded the Lot 1 framework contract. Please also see VI.3) Additional information.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-043a79
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092129-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

22000000 - Printed matter and related products

79800000 - Printing and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£930,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£759,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£994,348,912 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
24 May 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
21 Mar 2024Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Additional Buyers

Crown Commercial Service

The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service (CCS)

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
Not specified
Postcode Area
Not specified
Country
Not specified
Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Supplier N/A

Allied Publicity Services (Manchester) Limited

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

Loading OCDS record...