Star Academies - Multifunctional Devices (MFDs) and Associated Products, Services and Support

Star Academies (Star) is a not-for-profit multi-academy trust. As one of the UK’s leading trusts, Star runs a diverse network of primary and secondary schools across the UK.

Star currently comprises 36 schools - 11 primary schools, 23 secondary schools and two ‘all through’ schools. There is also a Head Office and Professional Development institute, both based in Blackburn.

Our schools are located in five regional clusters: Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands and Greater London. The trust is expected to grow over the lifetime of the contract.

Further details about the trust can be found on our website: www.staracademies.org. Star Academies are looking to run an FTS (above threshold) competitive flexible procedure compliant under PA2023 to appoint a single suitable supplier across the trust.

The supplier selected will be able to provide a complete service for the provision of multifunctional devices (MFD) and associated products, services and support in line with this PSQ and the final ITT documents. Whilst the tender will be used as a basis for future works and pricing, the trust are looking to engage suppliers who will work collaboratively with us and tailor their approach, so that they are able to meet the specific needs of the trust.

This procurement also seeks to ensure that value for money is achieved for the trust and that the trust’s MFD assets are pro-actively managed, maintained and run in an efficient and consistent way across the entire estate. The contract with the successful tenderer is intended to commence on 01 June 2026 and will be awarded for maximum of 5 years and the successful bidder will remain on the contract for this period subject to performance and company stability (i.e. the company not going into administration).

Star are looking to shortlist up to six (6) suppliers, identified from in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), to receive the ITT pack which will provide a more detailed set of requirements (The trust reserves the right to take more than six suppliers through to ITT where scores at PSQ are so close as to make it difficult to draw a distinction between bidders).Bidders should assume that the ITT will include, but not be limited to: • General service requirements • MFD standard hardware devices and functionality • MFD Leasing and capital purchase arrangements • Cloud based print management software • MFD Maintenance, consumables, support and service provisions • Device utilisation management • Management information and reporting The trust will provide a draft contract during the PSQ stage. Star’s preference is to engage with suppliers directly who will manage all aspects of the contract in house.

If sub-contracts are required to meet the scope of this tender, these should be minimised. Any subcontracted arrangements must meet the same terms as the contract and will be the responsibility of the main supplier to manage.