Planning

Blue Badge Production, Distribution & Innovation

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Feb 2026 at 09:23

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport is planning a procurement process for the "Blue Badge Production, Distribution & Innovation" project. This initiative focuses on producing and distributing Blue Badges, which aid individuals with disabilities in accessing parking facilities near their destinations. The contracting process, currently at the planning stage, is set in motion with the planned contract period running from February 2027 to February 2030, with the option for renewal until 2031. Positioned under the services category, this selective procurement is worth an estimated £18 million gross, utilising a framework agreement. The initiative aims to collaborate with local and national stakeholders, with services to be delivered across the United Kingdom.

This procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in printing and distribution services, particularly those equipped with capabilities in digital printing and end-to-end distribution. The project seeks suppliers who can innovate and enhance the Blue Badge scheme's service delivery, making it an ideal venture for companies focused on security, data protection, and logistical excellence. Given the project's value and scope, it is especially suitable for small and medium enterprises able to navigate the complexities of a large-scale government contract while offering cost-effective, high-quality solutions.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Blue Badge Production, Distribution & Innovation

Notice Description

The Blue Badge scheme supports people with visible and non-visible disabilities by enabling parking close to their destination. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, with policy oversight from the Department for Transport (DfT). The Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS), launched in 2019, significantly improved the application process, increasing digital uptake to around 80% and delivering annual efficiency savings of over PS3 million for local authorities, while strengthening protections against fraud and misuse. DfT has let and manages the contract for BBDS and specifies security, data protection and technical standards, acting as a joint controller only in respect of data processed through the GOV.UK service. Local authorities remain individual controllers for Blue Badge data and are responsible for compliance with data protection legislation. BBDS is currently supported by separate suppliers for digital application and badge management, and for badge printing and dispatch, serving over 200 local authorities and other public-sector stakeholders across the UK. This requirement is for a supplier to deliver high-quality Blue Badge print production, secure distribution, and ongoing service innovation. Services include the production of badges and associated materials in line with national policy and security specifications, end-to-end distribution using multiple delivery options, and support services for local authorities and government stakeholders. The supplier will work collaboratively with DfT and scheme partners to maintain service standards, accommodate future expansion, and develop enhancements throughout the life of the contract.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0614f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009273-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Award under framework
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

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


CPV Codes

42962200 - Printing press

79810000 - Printing services

79811000 - Digital printing services

79823000 - Printing and delivery services

79824000 - Printing and distribution services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Feb 2027 - 5 Feb 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DR
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
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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-0614f7-2026-02-03T09:23:52Z",
    "date": "2026-02-03T09:23:52Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0614f7",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "009273-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009273-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-02-03T09:23:52Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PLTC-5358-LTWZ",
            "name": "Department for Transport",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PLTC-5358-LTWZ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DR",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PLTC-5358-LTWZ",
        "name": "Department for Transport"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0614f7",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Blue Badge Production, Distribution & Innovation",
        "description": "The Blue Badge scheme supports people with visible and non-visible disabilities by enabling parking close to their destination. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, with policy oversight from the Department for Transport (DfT). The Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS), launched in 2019, significantly improved the application process, increasing digital uptake to around 80% and delivering annual efficiency savings of over PS3 million for local authorities, while strengthening protections against fraud and misuse. DfT has let and manages the contract for BBDS and specifies security, data protection and technical standards, acting as a joint controller only in respect of data processed through the GOV.UK service. Local authorities remain individual controllers for Blue Badge data and are responsible for compliance with data protection legislation. BBDS is currently supported by separate suppliers for digital application and badge management, and for badge printing and dispatch, serving over 200 local authorities and other public-sector stakeholders across the UK. This requirement is for a supplier to deliver high-quality Blue Badge print production, secure distribution, and ongoing service innovation. Services include the production of badges and associated materials in line with national policy and security specifications, end-to-end distribution using multiple delivery options, and support services for local authorities and government stakeholders. The supplier will work collaboratively with DfT and scheme partners to maintain service standards, accommodate future expansion, and develop enhancements throughout the life of the contract.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "42962200",
                        "description": "Printing press"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79810000",
                        "description": "Printing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79811000",
                        "description": "Digital printing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79824000",
                        "description": "Printing and distribution services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79823000",
                        "description": "Printing and delivery services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 18000000,
            "amount": 15000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award under framework",
        "competitive": true,
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-02-05T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2030-02-05T23:59:59+00:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-02-05T23:59:59+00:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planned"
    },
    "language": "en"
}