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Media Handling Tool

Reading Borough Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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19 Oct 2026 at 11:26

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Reading Borough Council procured a media handling platform and associated media relations services to support its corporate communications. The system provides a central place to distribute press releases, log and manage media enquiries, retrieve previous public statements, and monitor, analyse and report on media coverage. It also hosts the Council’s media website, where journalists and media organisations can find press releases, official statements and images. The service supports consistent, auditable engagement with the media and helps the Council maintain records and understand coverage and public perception. It is also intended to support communications during high-profile issues, emergencies and periods of increased media interest. The stated delivery area is across England; the platform supports Reading Borough Council’s communications activities.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Onclusive UK. The Council used a below-threshold procurement route; the recorded method details do not identify a specific procedure. The award date was not published in the available data, while the contract was signed on 22 September 2026. The contract runs from 22 September 2026 to 21 September 2029. Its value is £16,861.20 excluding VAT, or £20,233.44 including VAT. The procurement was arranged as one lot. The award is active and the contract is active. No evaluation criteria or eligibility requirements are stated in the available procurement details.

For a supplier hoping to compete when this requirement returns to market, this award demonstrates demand for an integrated media relations platform rather than a single-purpose press distribution service. A credible solution would need to combine press release distribution, enquiry management, searchable records of previous statements, media monitoring, analysis and reporting, and a hosted media website with imagery. Reliability and auditability matter: the Council describes the service as supporting continuity during emergencies and high-profile issues, when rapid publication and accurate records are important. Suppliers with experience delivering dependable platforms for public-sector communications, supporting journalists’ access to official content, and providing useful coverage insight would be well placed to demonstrate fit. The contract’s multi-year duration indicates a continuing service requirement, while its scale is suited to a focused platform and service offering.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Media Handling Tool

Notice Description

This procurement seeks to establish a multi-year contract for the provision of a Media Handling Tool to support Reading Borough Council's (RBC) corporate communications and media management activities. The solution is required to provide a centralised platform through which press releases can be distributed, media enquiries can be recorded and managed, previous public statements can be accessed for reference, and media coverage can be monitored, analysed, and reported upon. The platform also hosts the Council's media website, which enables journalists and media organisations to access press releases, official statements, and associated imagery. The service is required to ensure the continued delivery of an effective, professional, and auditable media relations function. It supports timely and consistent communications with the media, maintains a comprehensive record of media engagement and public statements, and provides valuable insight into media coverage and public perception of Council activity. The platform is also a key business continuity tool, particularly during high-profile issues, emergency situations, and periods of increased media interest, where the ability to rapidly distribute information and maintain accurate records is critical.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078a8a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098384-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - unknown
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79416000 - Public relations services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£16,861 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Sep 2026 - 21 Sep 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Reading Borough 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
READING
Postcode
RG1 2LU
Postcode Area
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Reading
Electoral Ward
Abbey
Westminster Constituency
Reading Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Onclusive

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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