Planning

Defra Group General Courier Service

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Oct 2025 at 09:48

Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is in the planning stage of a procurement process to establish a Defra Group General Courier Service, with a tentative publication date in late November 2025. This service aims to support the department's operations both within the United Kingdom and internationally, ensuring the timely collection and delivery of consignments from diverse premises such as offices and laboratories. The procurement is classified under courier and transport services and has a significant value of £2,100,000 gross. Interested suppliers are encouraged to participate in a virtual supplier engagement event scheduled for 30th October 2025, with expressions of interest to be submitted by 28th October 2025.

This tender presents a notable opportunity for businesses involved in courier and delivery services, particularly those with capabilities in handling diverse logistics and international consignment deliveries. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to compete, as the procurement recognises the suitability of these entities. The inclusion of an eMarketplace punch-out service offers an additional avenue for technological partnerships, providing further growth opportunities for businesses with digital logistics platforms. This contract supports business growth through the potential extension up to 2031, ensuring a stable and long-term partnership with Defra.

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Notice Title

Defra Group General Courier Service

Notice Description

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra Group also known as Buyer) requires a day-to-day courier service for its staff across the United Kingdom and internationally to ensure continuity of service in the works that we do. Supplier shall be required to collect and deliver consignments from a variety of premises. These will predominantly consist of offices and laboratories, though other premises may be required to be attended on behalf of Buyer. Consignments are on average between 100g and 25kg in weight. No estimates or volumes can be guaranteed.

Planning Information

Defra Group Commercial intends to publish a tender opportunity for the provision of Defra Group General Courier Service, tentatively scheduled for late November 2025. The successful supplier(s) will be required to collect and deliver consignments from a range of premises, primarily offices and laboratories, though other locations may also be included. Consignments will typically range between 100g and 25kg in weight, however, no specific volumes or frequencies can be guaranteed. The service is required to support day-to-day courier operations for staff across the United Kingdom and internationally, ensuring continuity of service for Defra Group's work. Supplier(s) will also be required to provide an eMarketplace punch-out service as part of the contract. We are considering holding a virtual supplier engagement event, provisionally scheduled for 30th October 2025, to be hosted via Microsoft Teams. This session will include an overview of our requirements, followed by a Q&A session to allow suppliers to provide feedback and raise questions. If your organisation is interested in this upcoming opportunity, please register your interest by emailing angelica.ho@defra.gov.uk. In your response, kindly confirm the following: 1) Whether your organisation intends to submit a tender. 2) Whether you would like to attend the supplier engagement event, if so, please provide the names and email addresses of the proposed attendees. We would appreciate receiving all expressions of interest by 12pm on 28th October 2025. Thank you for your time and interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ce93
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066189-2025
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

64 - Postal and telecommunications services


CPV Codes

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

60161000 - Parcel transport services

60400000 - Air transport services

60411000 - Scheduled airmail transport services

60421000 - Non-scheduled airmail transport services

64100000 - Post and courier services

64110000 - Postal services

64113000 - Postal services related to parcels

64120000 - Courier services

64121000 - Multi-modal courier services

64121100 - Mail delivery services

64121200 - Parcel delivery services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,750,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
network.procurement@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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