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West Suffolk Council- Invitation to Tender- For the design, printing and distribution of Thriving West Suffolk Magazine

West Suffolk Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

04 Aug 2026 at 17:12

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

30 Jun 2026 at 15:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

26 Jun 2026 at 14:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

West Suffolk Council procured the design, printing and distribution of Thriving West Suffolk Magazine. The requirement covers six issues of the magazine and combines creative production, print manufacture and distribution. It is a public-sector communications and printed-publication service, rather than a standalone print supply contract. Delivery activity is in Suffolk, for the council and its local audience. The buyer is West Suffolk Council, based in Bury St Edmunds. The procurement was structured as one lot and was classified primarily as a service, with printed matter and related business services forming the relevant work categories. Suppliers able to manage the full publication cycle, from design through printing to distribution, would be the closest fit for this requirement.

The procurement has been awarded following a completed below-threshold open competition. Bids had to be submitted by 15:00 on 17 July 2026. Four bids were received, with three reaching the final stage. The single lot was evaluated on price at 60% and quality at 40%. West Suffolk Council awarded the contract to Micropress Printers Limited on 4 August 2026 for £130,033 excluding VAT, or £156,039 including VAT. The awarded contract period runs from 18 August 2026 to 31 March 2028. The original estimated value was £150,000 excluding VAT and £180,000 including VAT. A contract signature was scheduled for 17 August 2026.

Although this contract has been awarded, it provides a clear benchmark for suppliers seeking comparable publication work for West Suffolk Council in future. A credible competitor would need to combine magazine or similar publication design with reliable print production and distribution across Suffolk. The requirement favours an organisation able to coordinate the complete supply chain and deliver consistent quality across multiple issues, rather than a business offering only one isolated service. The evaluation gives substantial importance to price while retaining a significant quality element, so suppliers would need efficient production and distribution systems alongside a strong, demonstrable approach to editorial presentation, print quality, logistics and service management. The appointed supplier was an SME, indicating that the requirement can be delivered by a suitably capable smaller business.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

West Suffolk Council- Invitation to Tender- For the design, printing and distribution of Thriving West Suffolk Magazine

Notice Description

West Suffolk Council are currently out to tender for the design, printing and distribution of Thriving West Suffolk Magazine This opportunity is available in the 'Current Tenders' area of portal. Interested parties are invited to express their interest to gain full access to the tender documentation. The deadline date for submissions of the tender is 1500 hours on 17 July. Please note late returns will NOT be permitted

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06be66
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073894-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

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

CPV Codes

22000000 - Printed matter and related products

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£130,033 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
17 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
18 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
West Suffolk Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BURY ST EDMUNDS
Postcode
IP33 3YU
Postcode Area
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH64 West Suffolk
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC
Local Authority
West Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Minden
Westminster Constituency
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Micropress Printers Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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