--- title: "General Qualifications Logistics Service" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2026-08-10" --- # General Qualifications Logistics Service Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d.json) ## Summary The Department for Education is currently in the planning stage of a public procurement process for the re-procurement of the General Qualifications Logistics Service (GQLS). This project, focused on courier services, is categorised under the services industry. It involves the secure collection and delivery of examination test papers and materials across all secondary and further education establishments in England. Located in London, the Department's engagement is scheduled to take place with potential suppliers by 4th September 2026, as part of the market engagement activities. This procurement process will proceed using the Crown Commercial Service Framework RM6354, specifically Lot 3c. The procurement method involves market engagement to ensure the requirements reflect current capabilities and market practices. The contract is anticipated to span from September 2027 to August 2032, with a possible extension until August 2034, and the estimated value is between £40 million and £49 million. This tender represents a considerable opportunity for businesses in the courier services sector, particularly those experienced in handling logistic operations for sensitive documents and materials typically associated with educational institutions. Companies meeting the criteria of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would particularly find this opportunity lucrative, given the suitability considerations in the lot description. Engaging in this procurement process could lead to substantial business growth through a long-term contract, provided they participate in the scheduled market engagement sessions, thereby gaining insights into the Department for Education's requirements and objectives. This engagement opens the door for innovative solutions and service enhancements that align with the public sector's evolving demands in logistics management. ## Notice The Department for Education (DfE) is preparing to re-procure its General Qualifications Logistics Service. The Standards and Testing Agency (The Authority) is an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE). The Authority is responsible for primary assessments and the General Qualifications Logistics Service (GQLS). The GQLS covers all secondary and further education establishments in England and provides a single means for Examination Officers to despatch packages of completed exam scripts for marking. There is activity in all months, but the major peak is the annual summer examination series which runs across May and June. We intend to utilise the Crown Commercial Service Courier, Distribution, Storage and Specialist Solutions Framework (RM6354), Lot 3c - Secure Collection and Delivery of Examination Test Papers and Materials. You are receiving this email because you are a registered supplier on this framework lot. Before launching the Invitation to Tender (ITT), we would like to engage with the market to gather supplier feedback and insights that will help us shape the procurement approach and ensure our requirements reflect current market capability and best practice. To support this activity, we are inviting suppliers to attend a one-to-one market engagement session with the DfE project team. These sessions will provide an opportunity to: * Understand DfE's high-level requirements and objectives * Provide feedback on the proposed service requirements. * Share views on market developments, innovation and opportunities. * Identify potential risks, challenges and dependencies. The engagement sessions are intended solely for information gathering and market research purposes. Participation in these sessions will not form part of any future procurement evaluation process and will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any subsequent competition. The estimated value of the contract for the initial 5 years is currently being determined and is anticipated to fall within the range of PS40 million to PS49 million. ### Planning Information We are inviting suppliers to attend a one-to-one market engagement session with the DfE project team. These sessions will provide an opportunity to: • Understand DfE's high-level requirements and objectives • Provide feedback on the proposed service requirements. • Share views on market developments, innovation and opportunities. • Identify potential risks, challenges and dependencies. The engagement sessions are intended solely for information gathering and market research purposes. Participation in these sessions will not form part of any future procurement evaluation process and will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any subsequent competition. Further information will be shared via Jaggaer to all the framework suppliers. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075872-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 10 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 28 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Aug 2027 - 31 Aug 2032 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £49,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 64 - Postal and telecommunications services ### Codes - 64120000 - Courier services ## Release History - 10 Aug 2026 at 14:58 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075872-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075872-2026 10th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e07d.json.