Printed Materials and Related Goods and Services DPS
Framework Description
Telford and Wrekin Council runs this dynamic purchasing system for printed materials and related goods and services. It has five lots, covering standard print, wide format, envelopes, promotional items, and confidential printing with data processing. Advertised under Find a Tender notice 008168-2024, the DPS is live until 23 February 2029 and admits new suppliers throughout its term.
Context & Use Case
Council departments use it for print that supports day-to-day services and community communication: leaflets and brochures, posters and banners, mailing envelopes, branded items for campaigns, and secure printing of sensitive data. Requirements are placed through competitions among suppliers admitted to the relevant lot, which suits print's irregular, job-by-job demand and lets the council react quickly when a campaign or statutory mailing comes up.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Traditional and standard print (digital, web and lithographic) Lot 2: Wide and large format Lot 3: Envelopes Lot 4: Promotional and branded items Lot 5: Data processing, security and confidential printing
Lots
Lot 1 - Traditional/Standard Print (Digital, Web and Lithographic); Lot 2 - Wide and Large Format; Lot 3 - Envelopes; Lot 4 - Promotional Items/Branded Items; Lot 5 - Data Processing/Security & Confidential Printing
Who Can Apply
Suits commercial printers, large format specialists, envelope manufacturers, promotional merchandise firms and secure print houses. Suppliers can apply to join any of the five lots at any time before 23 February 2029, provided they meet the selection criteria.
Buyer Benefits
The council can match each print job to specialists rather than routing everything through one generalist printer, which matters most for secure data printing and large-format work. Competing jobs among admitted suppliers keeps unit prices tested, and the open-entry model lets local printers come on board as the council's needs change.
Next Steps
Check which lots your equipment and accreditations support; secure and confidential printing usually calls for evidence of data-handling controls. Apply through the route on Find a Tender notice 008168-2024, and prepare sample work, turnaround times and price schedules for when competitions are issued. The DPS closes to new entrants on 23 February 2029.
How Athena Can Help
Getting admitted is the first step, and Athena's help joining a DPS covers lot selection, the selection questionnaire and the supporting policies, with a compliance check before you submit.
When competitions arrive, our bid team can write responses that show your quality controls and turnaround, and model unit prices that win without eroding margin. For printers new to council work, our support for public sector tenders includes bid/no-bid tools so you spend time only on jobs you can win.
