Print and Digital Communications
Framework Description
Print and Digital Communications (RM6297) is a UK-wide framework, closed to new applications, from the Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service) for buyers that need a print manager to run their print and digital communications. It runs from 14 October 2024 to 27 December 2028 with no extension. Lot 1 is a single-supplier direct award lot that includes command and house papers; lot 2 is a multi-supplier further competition lot.
Context & Use Case
Public sector organisations use RM6297 for managed operational, secure and election print, along with digital communications by email, SMS and web. Government bodies laying documents before Parliament use lot 1 for command and house papers. Lot 2 call-offs run by further competition: buyers invite all lot 2 suppliers, typically allow three to six weeks for proposals and include social value in the quality evaluation.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Print and digital communications by direct award, including command and house papers Lot 2: Print and digital communications by further competition Bulk, operational and secure print, finishing and alternative formats Pre-production, content creation, stock management and distribution Digital solutions across email, SMS and web Election print and mailing
Lots
Lot 1: Print and Digital Communications (Direct Award including Command & House Papers); Lot 2: Print and Digital Communications (Further Competition)
Who Can Apply
Membership of RM6297 is fixed until re-tender, so print management companies not appointed cannot join before it ends on 27 December 2028. The successor will suit print managers that can run supply chains and deliver secure, election and digital work.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers get one place for all print needs, with the print manager handling production and suppliers. Secure handling of sensitive and election material is built in, along with savings advice and support to move from paper to digital channels. Lot 1 gives Parliament-facing work a single accountable supplier.
Next Steps
Lot 2 suppliers should prepare for further competitions, with evidence on secure print, election deadlines and digital channel shift. Others should follow the GCA page (https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6297) and GCA's upcoming agreements for the successor ahead of the 27 December 2028 end date, and build case studies in secure, election and digital work.
How Athena Can Help
Lot 2 further competitions under RM6297 reward print managers who can prove savings and security. Athena's print management bid support builds those win themes, scores you against rival managers and prices the managed service.
For the successor, our help preparing framework applications gathers election and secure print case studies early. Our bid consultancy for print contracts covers councils' own election print tenders too. We check every draft against the scoring criteria.
