Planning

Provision of Trade and Diplomatic Plates 2026

DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSING AGENCY

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Planning

24 Mar 2026 at 11:12

PlanningUpdate

27 Feb 2026 at 11:09

Planning

06 Feb 2026 at 11:26

Planning

06 Feb 2026 at 11:14

Summary of the contracting process

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is initiating the procurement process for the Provision of Trade and Diplomatic Plates 2026, classified within the parts and accessories for vehicles industry category. Based in Swansea, the DVLA is conducting this procurement at the planning stage, utilising an open procedure. The procurement involves goods delivery throughout the UK, with key engagement activities scheduled, including a live Q&A session on 11 March 2026. Interested suppliers are encouraged to register by 9 March 2026, with the tender period culminating on 19 June 2026. The expected award date is set for 17 September 2026, and the contract is planned to commence on 1 January 2027 and run until 31 December 2029, with potential extensions extending to 2031.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in vehicle parts and accessories, specifically those focused on manufacturing and supplying specialised plates. With a substantial contract value exceeding £2 million, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) deemed suitable are encouraged to compete under the open procurement method. The DVLA promotes transparency and innovation by seeking market insights and capability feedback from suppliers. Businesses that can offer quality and innovation, alongside competitive pricing, will be well-positioned to benefit from this procurement, as the tender considers both quality and financial criteria, awarding 60% for quality and 40% for price aspects. Participants in this tender will also have the chance to interact with the DVLA's Business and Commercial team, offering further insights that could lead to potential collaboration and growth within the public procurement sector.

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Notice Title

Provision of Trade and Diplomatic Plates 2026

Notice Description

The procurement will be for the provision of trade and diplomatic plates to support the needs of DVLA and the end users of the products.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There are 2 (two) 12 month extensions that may be taken at the Authority's discretion.

Planning Information

DVLA’s current contract for the manufacture and supply of Trade and Diplomatic Plates is expiring in December 2026, and as a result, we are now beginning the process of engaging with key suppliers to gather market intelligence to help inform our requirements. • DVLA intends to procure a single supplier contract for the manufacture, secure supply, and destruction of: • Trade Plates • Diplomatic Plates This PME seeks early market insight, capability feedback, and innovation suggestions to inform the final specification and procurement approach. DVLA intends to host a live Q&A session via Microsoft Teams on 11/03/2026 at 10:00 am for all Suppliers who register an interest and wish to find out more information about this exciting opportunity. This session will include: • ✔ Overview of contract context, requirements, timelines and volumes • ✔ Open question time with transparent responses • ✔ Sharing of Q&A outputs with all participants • ✔ Opportunity for Suppliers to highlight innovations, emerging capabilities and service improvements • ✔ An opportunity to meet the Business and Commercial team responsible for running the procurement. Following the initial session, suppliers who wish to request an optional one to one engagement slot are asked to confirm this when responding to register their interest, so that appointments can be allocated in advance. DVLA encourages open, fair and transparent procurement and omission from the DVLA’s Q&A session shall not prejudice against the supplier’s ability to be invited to tender for the work. It should be noted that responding to this email does not place the supplier into an advantageous position nor are there any obligations bound by attendance. Following the Q&A session, DVLA anticipates issuing the Invitation to Tender (ITT) in May 2026. If you wish to register your interest, please contact Allison on the following email address by Monday 9th March 2026. (Allison.fry@dvla.gov.uk)

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0649d0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026686-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34300000 - Parts and accessories for vehicles and their engines

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,766,666 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,766,666 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
19 Jun 20263 months to go
Future Notice Date
11 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2026-09-07

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSING AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWANSEA
Postcode
SA6 7JL
Post Town
Swansea
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL4 Mid and South West Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL43 Swansea
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swansea
Electoral Ward
Mynydd-bach
Westminster Constituency
Swansea West

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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