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Electoral Print Services

Thurrock Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Aug 2026 at 13:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Thurrock Council intends to procure specialist electoral printing and fulfilment services for its Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer. The requirement covers the production of Annual Canvass forms, ballot papers, poll cards, including one-piece mailers, postal vote packs and other election-related documents. Suppliers will also be expected to provide end-to-end postal vote pack fulfilment, including collation, matching, insertion, packaging and distribution, with outgoing postage included for postal vote packs, canvass forms and other statutory communications. The scope includes ad hoc specialist printing, such as grass skirt notices and other election-specific materials. This is a printed matter and related products requirement, with activity associated with Thurrock Council and delivery across the relevant area of the council’s work.

The procurement is at the planning stage: Thurrock Council has stated an intention to buy, but has not yet invited tenders. The council expects to publish the next notice by 10 September 2026. Planned market engagement is scheduled to conclude on 7 September 2026, with supporting information available through its online procurement portal. The estimated value is £400,000 excluding VAT, or £480,000 including VAT. The planned contract period is 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030, with a possible renewal or extension to 31 December 2031. The procurement is structured as one lot and is classified primarily as goods. The planned arrangement is subject to electoral requirements applying to elections, referendums and annual canvasses.

This will suit specialist electoral printers and fulfilment providers able to produce high volumes of legally controlled election materials and manage time-critical distribution. Relevant capabilities include secure production of ballot papers, poll cards, canvass forms and postal vote packs, together with accurate collation, matching, inserting, packaging and dispatch. Suppliers should be prepared to include and manage postage costs across several statutory communications and respond to ad hoc requests for election-specific printed materials. The buyer is looking for a provider that can work reliably to prescribed electoral timetables and deadlines, maintain accuracy across varied document types, and ensure all outputs and fulfilment services comply with electoral legislation, regulations, guidance and standards in force at each event.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Electoral Print Services

Notice Description

This contract is for the provision of specialist electoral printing and fulfilment services to support the statutory responsibilities of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and Returning Officer (RO). The scope includes the production of electoral materials such as Annual Canvass forms, ballot papers, poll cards (including one-piece mailers), postal vote packs, and other election-related documentation required under current electoral legislation. The contract also covers the end-to-end fulfilment of postal vote packs, including the collation, matching, insertion, packaging, and distribution of ballot papers and associated electoral materials. Pricing must include all outgoing postage costs associated with the distribution of postal vote packs, canvass forms, and other statutory electoral communications. Provision must also be available for ad hoc specialist electoral printing requirements, including but not limited to grass skirt notices and other election-specific materials. All printed materials and fulfilment services must comply with the electoral legislation, regulations, guidance, and standards in force at the time of each election, referendum, or annual canvass. The primary objective of the contract is to ensure that the ERO and RO are able to meet all statutory obligations and adhere to prescribed electoral timetables and deadlines.

Planning Information

Please see attached documents. These can be found by registering on In-tend and expressing an interest using the attached link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/thurrockcouncil/aspx/Home

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e89c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079459-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

CPV Codes

22000000 - Printed matter and related products

22458000 - Bespoke printed matter

22900000 - Miscellaneous printed matter

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Aug 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Thurrock 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
GRAYS
Postcode
RM17 6SL
Postcode Area
Romford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH32 Thurrock
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Thurrock
Electoral Ward
Grays Riverside
Westminster Constituency
Thurrock

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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