The mapping agency, which is responsible for the surveying, production, maintenance and marketing of a wide range of geographic information, said it is seeking a supplier with the capabilities and capacity to allow for “effective printing, finishing and dispatch services for Ordnance Survey paper maps”.
The supply of the contract will be split into three lots. With an estimated value of £11.2m, Lot 1 is large-format printing, finishing and dispatch services for OS Core Series paper maps.
Also with an estimated value of £11.2m, Lot 2 covers printing, finishing and dispatch services for new Ordnance Survey paper maps and associated products.
OS said it is anticipated that during the life of the contracts, the spend on Lot 1 will reduce as new products are bought to market through Lot 2. For this reason, the estimated contract value for Lot 1 and Lot 2 have been set at the same contract value as it is not yet determined at which point the spend in Lot 1 will reduce and the spend in Lot 2 will increase.
OS said it does not guarantee the estimated value of this contract for any lot and that the exact spend on this contract will be dependent on OS requirements during the delivery of the contract.
With an estimated value of £2.66m, Lot 3 is for digital printing, finishing and dispatch services for OS Custom Made paper maps and framed products.
These bespoke personalised maps in different formats are produced by way of a map builder hosted on the OS web shop. Customers are able to personalise location, map style and scale, title, cover image and frame colour (where relevant) and add a route overlay.
The contract length for each lot will be for three years with the option to extend twice for a period of up to two years each. Therefore, if all extensions were taken, the full length of the contract would be for seven years – or 84 months.
The estimated contract value across all lots is up to £25m for the maximum seven-year contract term and tenders may be submitted for all lots.
OS is a private limited company whose entire share capital is owned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. OS also has several wholly owned subsidiaries – including Dennis Maps in Frome – that may access this contract. The maps are relied on by government, business, and individuals.
“The Ordnance Survey Consumer business unit is responsible for all retail products made available via an omni channel approach – direct to end customer and via retail/wholesale trade channels,” the tender information stated.
“Product categories include large-format sheet mapping, customisable large-format mapping (Custom Made), guidebooks and outdoor accessories.”
OS said price is not the only award criterion and that all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents.
The time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 12pm on 13 November 2024.
More information, including contact details for OS, is available via the government’s Find a Tender service.
