Planning

Printing, Distribution and Sale of Graduation Certificates

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Aug 2025 at 09:58

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Oxford Brookes University is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the printing, distribution, and commercial sale of graduation certificates, scheduled to begin its tender on 10 October 2025. This initiative is part of a five-year contract, with the possibility of extending for up to two additional years. The university is located in Oxford, United Kingdom, and is conducting preliminary market engagement to better understand the current market capabilities within the 'Printing and delivery services' industry category. Interested suppliers can partake in one-on-one online sessions on 10 and 11 September 2025, to discuss potential solutions as part of this engagement exercise. This opportunity is above the procurement threshold and anticipates significant involvement from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout the United Kingdom.

This tender presents a great opportunity for businesses specialising in secure document production and distribution, particularly those capable of innovative solutions to develop a commercial income stream. Ideal contenders would be SMEs with experience in managing end-to-end processes involving secure printing and storage, direct distribution, and creating revenue channels. Businesses can leverage this contract to establish long-term relationships and enhance their reputations by aligning with a public authority like Oxford Brookes University. The contract's scope gives participants a chance to contribute significantly to the university’s operations, potentially yielding benefits in terms of business expansion and enhancement of service offerings.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Printing, Distribution and Sale of Graduation Certificates

Notice Description

Oxford Brookes University is seeking proposals from qualified suppliers for a comprehensive service to manage the secure printing, distribution, and commercial sales of all official degree and award certificates. This contract is for a period of five (5) years, with an option to extend for a further two (2) years, subject to performance review and mutual agreement. The awarded supplier will be responsible for the entire end-to-end process, from secure document production and storage to direct distribution to graduands and the development of a commercial income stream for the University. The integrity and security of the certificates are of paramount importance to protect the reputation of Oxford Brookes University and the value of its awards.

Planning Information

Oxford Brookes University is commencing preliminary market engagement (PME) to better understand the market for the print, distribution, and commercial aspects of its graduation certificates. This is in anticipation of a future public contract and is being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose of this engagement is to: Gauge the current landscape of services and capabilities. Explore potential solutions and innovations. Inform the development of our requirements and tender documents. Identify potential suppliers for the future contract. We will host a series of online one-to-one sessions on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September 2025. Suppliers will have the opportunity to discuss their offerings and provide feedback on our potential requirements. Interested parties should note that this is a fact-finding exercise and not part of a formal tender process. All information exchanged will be treated fairly and transparently. How to Participate: Suppliers wishing to participate in this engagement are invited to email procurement@brookes.ac.uk to request a slot for an online discussion.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059020
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052337-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79823000 - Printing and delivery services

79824000 - Printing and distribution services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Aug 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@brookes.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
OXFORD
Postcode
OX3 0BP
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Oxford
Electoral Ward
Churchill
Westminster Constituency
Oxford East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-059020-2025-08-29T10:58:33+01:00",
    "date": "2025-08-29T10:58:33+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-059020",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-UKPRN-10004930",
            "name": "Oxford Brookes University",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-UKPRN",
                "id": "10004930"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PPGL-1164-DJLT"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Gipsy Lane Headington",
                "locality": "Oxford",
                "postalCode": "OX3 0BP",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@brookes.ac.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.brookes.ac.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-UKPRN-10004930",
        "name": "Oxford Brookes University"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Oxford Brookes University is commencing preliminary market engagement (PME) to better understand the market for the print, distribution, and commercial aspects of its graduation certificates. This is in anticipation of a future public contract and is being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose of this engagement is to: Gauge the current landscape of services and capabilities. Explore potential solutions and innovations. Inform the development of our requirements and tender documents. Identify potential suppliers for the future contract. We will host a series of online one-to-one sessions on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September 2025. Suppliers will have the opportunity to discuss their offerings and provide feedback on our potential requirements. Interested parties should note that this is a fact-finding exercise and not part of a formal tender process. All information exchanged will be treated fairly and transparently. How to Participate: Suppliers wishing to participate in this engagement are invited to email procurement@brookes.ac.uk to request a slot for an online discussion.",
                "dueDate": "2025-09-11T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "052337-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052337-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-29T10:58:33+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-059020",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Printing, Distribution and Sale of Graduation Certificates",
        "description": "Oxford Brookes University is seeking proposals from qualified suppliers for a comprehensive service to manage the secure printing, distribution, and commercial sales of all official degree and award certificates. This contract is for a period of five (5) years, with an option to extend for a further two (2) years, subject to performance review and mutual agreement. The awarded supplier will be responsible for the entire end-to-end process, from secure document production and storage to direct distribution to graduands and the development of a commercial income stream for the University. The integrity and security of the certificates are of paramount importance to protect the reputation of Oxford Brookes University and the value of its awards.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79823000",
                        "description": "Printing and delivery services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79824000",
                        "description": "Printing and distribution services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKC",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKE",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKF",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKG",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-02-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2031-01-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2033-01-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-10-10T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}