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Print Strategy - Multifunctional Devices (MFDs), Bulk Print and Hybrid Mail Market Engagement

Avon & Somerset Constabulary

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Sep 2026 at 17:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Avon and Somerset Constabulary is leading a planned print and document management strategy for five South West police forces: Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The services in scope are multifunctional printing devices (MFDs), bulk printing and hybrid mail, covering equipment and printing, postal and print-and-delivery services. The aim is to develop a secure, cost-effective and sustainable approach that improves operational efficiency and value for money. Existing arrangements differ across the forces: some use in-house print rooms alongside outsourced services, while others have separate contracts for MFDs or hybrid mail. Suppliers may contribute across the full service range or in individual areas. Delivery is intended across the South West of England.

This is a planning-stage market engagement, not an invitation to tender or a competition. The five forces are seeking supplier input on good practice, emerging technology, service innovation and current supplier capabilities; responses will inform the future specification and procurement strategy. The forces expect to publish a further notice on 1 December 2026. The planned contract period is 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2031. The published estimated value is £0. The market engagement questionnaire is due back by midday on 8 October 2026; brief Microsoft Teams clarification meetings may be requested. Significant information from meetings may be anonymised and shared with interested parties. Suppliers are told that responding, or not responding, will not advantage or disadvantage them, and the exercise is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023.

This preparatory engagement is relevant to suppliers of MFDs, print equipment, bulk printing, postal services, print and delivery, hybrid mail, and integrated document management. The buyer explicitly welcomes businesses that can provide only part of the service range, so specialists need not cover all three areas. Suppliers with experience in secure and sustainable print operations, public-sector service delivery, or combining in-house and outsourced provision can help shape the future requirements. The forces are looking for practical evidence about best practice, emerging technologies, service innovation and supplier capabilities, with a focus on operational efficiency and value for money. This is a chance to inform a later procurement; it is not an opportunity to submit a contract bid at this stage. No specific accreditation or technical qualification is set out.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Print Strategy - Multifunctional Devices (MFDs), Bulk Print and Hybrid Mail Market Engagement

Notice Description

Print Strategy - Multifunctional Devices (MFDs), Bulk Print and Hybrid Mail Market Engagement for SW Police Forces

Planning Information

Four of the Police Forces within the South West region (Devon & Cornwall Police, Wiltshire Police, Gloucestershire Police and Dorset Police) have contracts in place for multi-functional devices (MFDs) which are due to end in September 2027. Avon and Somerset have a separate contract in place for MFDs which is due to end in 2029. For bulk printing, all Forces with the exception of Avon and Somerset use a mix of in-house print rooms and outsourced printing services and Avon and Somerset outsource all of their bulk print requirements under a contract, which is due to end in April 2027. In terms of hybrid mail, Devon and Cornwall have a contract in place for their Road Safety Team. Dorset are in contract mobilisation for a hybrid mail provision for their Central Ticket Unit and Wiltshire will shortly be awarding a contract for hybrid mail for their requirements Forcewide. The purpose of this Market Engagement Notice is to engage with the market to identify best practice, understand emerging technologies and service innovations, and gain insight into evolving supplier capabilities with regards to printing. This engagement will help ensure that any future contract delivers a cost-effective, secure, and sustainable print and document management solution(s) that maximises operational efficiency and value for money. Feedback received will help to inform the development of the final specification and procurement strategy. We recognise that not all suppliers will be able to provide the full range of services within the scope of this market engagement exercise. Suppliers that are able to provide only some of the services are still encouraged to participate. Please confirm your interest to participate in the SWPPS Market Engagement for Print Strategy and receive the Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire, by responding to this notice to michelle.o'mahony@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk. The Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire includes some customer background information and questions relevant to the project. We are open to brief Microsoft Teams clarification meetings upon request if there are specific areas you wish to discuss. A summary of any significant information shared during these meetings may be anonymised and published to all interested parties. The closing date for pre-market engagement questionnaire returns will be midday on 8th October 2026. SWPPS are committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency. This market engagement exercise is being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. This notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market testing and engagement. Interested parties will not be prejudiced or advantaged by any response or lack thereof to this notice. This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works for SWPPS. SWPPS are not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to the notice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077903
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090331-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

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

CPV Codes

30120000 - Photocopying and offset printing equipment

64110000 - Postal services

79810000 - Printing services

79823000 - Printing and delivery services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2031 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
Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Additional Buyers

Devon and Cornwall Police

Dorset Police

Gloucestershire Constabulary

Wiltshire Police

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS20 8QJ
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK61 North Somerset
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
North Somerset
Electoral Ward
Portishead North
Westminster Constituency
North Somerset

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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