Tender

Sight & Sound Retail Distribution

BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

30 Mar 2026 at 10:18

Summary of the contracting process

The British Film Institute (BFI) invites tenders for the provision of retail distribution services for its Sight & Sound magazine to both domestic and international markets. This procurement process, currently in the tender stage, follows an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) to ensure best practice. The procurement is within the services category, particularly targeting publications and retail trade with a focus on printing and distribution services. Applications must be submitted via the portal with expressions of interest due by 21 April 2026. The successful bidder will manage the contract from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2029, with an optional renewal for a further two years.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in distribution and retail services, particularly those with experience in handling publications like magazines. The BFI is looking for a partner that can efficiently manage retail sales while expanding the magazine's reach and business potential. Agencies, consultants, and distributors who specialise in media and retail markets are ideally positioned to leverage their networks and expertise to vie for this contract, which prioritises quality and price in its award criteria. The potential for a five-year engagement offers substantial growth and stability for qualified businesses.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Sight & Sound Retail Distribution

Notice Description

The British Film Institute (BFI) is seeking a supplier to deliver retail distribution services for the Sight & Sound magazine to both the UK and international markets, on a three years plus two further optional years basis, totalling five potential years. Having recently redesigned and relaunched the magazine to a hugely positive response from industry and readers, the BFI are seeking a distribution partner that is the best fit for the efficient management of the magazine's retail sales as well as providing the best opportunities for growing the magazine's business. We welcome applications from consultants, agencies or directly from the distributor themselves to provide this service. This requirement is below the PA23 threshold, but is being undertaken as a competitive process under the Open Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), as best practice. To take part in this tender, please visit our website, at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bfi/aspx/Tenders/Current , where you will need to register, if you haven't already, and express an interest in this opportunity to access the relevant documents. Please note expressions of interest will only be accepted via the portal.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067788
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028970-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

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


CPV Codes

22200000 - Newspapers, journals, periodicals and magazines

55900000 - Retail trade 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
30 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
21 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE
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
W1T 1LN
Post Town
West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI36 Camden
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Camden
Electoral Ward
Bloomsbury
Westminster Constituency
Holborn and St Pancras

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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