SPPD - Postal Services Framework

The Scottish Ministers wish to award a Framework Agreement for the provision of Postal Services for users throughout the public sector in Scotland. The Framework Agreement will comprise of 2 Lots with one supplier appointed to each: Lot 1 – One Stop Shop for Physical Mail, Hybrid Mail, Scheduled/Regular Bulk Mail (Print & Post), Software and Digital Mail, and Mail Security Screening Lot 2 – Hybrid Mail, Scheduled/Regular Bulk Mail (Print & Post), Software and Digital Mail Services Lot limiting - Tenderers may bid for all Lots, however, a Tenderer may only be successful in one of these Lots.

For Lots 1 and 2, we will undertake the evaluation in sequence and evaluate Lot 1 first. The Tenderers with the most economically advantageous tender in Lot 1 will be the preferred Tenderers for Lot 1.

If the preferred Tenderers for Lot 1 also bid for Lot 2, they will be eliminated from consideration for Lot 2. From the remaining bids in Lot 2 the Tenderers with the most economically advantageous tender will be the preferred Tenderers for Lot 2.

Lot 1 of this Framework Agreement is for the provision of a One Stop Shop for the following postal services - Physical Mail, Hybrid, Scheduled/Regular Bulk Mail (Print and Post), Software and Digital Mail Services, and Mail Security Screening Physical Mail - The collection and delivery of mail from Framework Public Bodies throughout Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands. It is prepared for posting by the Framework Public Body and collected by the Contractor from Framework Public Body sites.

It is sorted by the Contractor and either delivered directly to recipients by the Contractor if they operate an end to end process, or injected into the Royal Mail network ‘downstream’ for final mile delivery by Royal Mail. Off Site Hybrid - The Contractor shall provide an off site hybrid mail service via a web-based or cloud hosted solution allowing a fully digital process up to the point of print; Scheduled/Regular Bulk mail - The production and delivery of planned or bulk mailings including includes, but is not limited to health screening service letters, generic health messaging, appointment letters and reminders; council tax notices and reminders, bursary notices, prospectus packs Digital e Communications - The provision of additional and alternative options to physical print of mail items, including but not limited to SMS (text messaging) communications, Email communications, Secure web-based communications.

Software - The Contractor shall be permitted to deliver the required Hybrid, Scheduled Regular/Bulk (Print & Post) and Digital Mail services and/or solutions to Framework Public Body through the provision of the following: desktop solution and/or supporting software, web-based solutions and/or supporting software, development of a Framework Public Body portal or via a contractor’s website interface. Mail Security Screening - The Contractor shall be capable of fulfilling a broad range of Framework Public Body requirements this shall include security screening services for a variety of inbound mail items; which shall include documents and parcels; and the security screening shall be for a range of hazardous items and materials.

Additional information: The Authority accepts that Down Stream Access (DSA) may be a solution offered by Contractors under this Framework Agreement. Where this is the case, tenderers should be in possession of an access agreement with the universal service provider, Royal Mail, and if required to, be prepared to provide the Authority with evidence of this agreement.

Lot 2 of this Framework Agreement is for the provision of the following postal services - Hybrid Mail, Scheduled/Regular Bulk Mail (Print and Post), Software and Digital Mail Services. Off Site Hybrid Mail - The Contractor shall provide an off site hybrid mail service via a web-based or cloud hosted solution allowing a fully digital process up to the point of print.

Scheduled/Regular Bulk Mail - The production and delivery of planned or bulk mailings including includes, but is not limited to health screening service letters, generic health messaging, appointment letters and reminders; council tax notices and reminders, bursary notices, prospectus packs. Digital e Communications - The provision of additional and alternative options to physical print of mail items, including but not limited to SMS (text messaging) communications, Email communications, Secure web-based communications.

Software - The Contractor shall be permitted to deliver the required Hybrid, Scheduled Regular/Bulk (Print & Post), and Digital Mail services and/or solutions to Framework Public Body through the provision of the following: desktop solution and/or supporting software, web-based solutions and/or supporting software, development of a Framework Public Body portal or via a contractor’s website interface. Additional information: The Authority accepts that Down Stream Access (DSA) may be a solution offered by Contractors under this Framework Agreement. Where this is the case, tenderers should be in possession of an access agreement with the universal service provider, Royal Mail, and if required to, be prepared to provide the Authority with evidence of this agreement.