Procurement Services has launched a new £100 million Total Office & Logistics Solutions Framework, creating opportunities for suppliers of office products, technology consumables, promotional merchandise and related services.
The four-year framework covers five lots, including managed mailroom services, warehousing, removals and secure storage. It is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other eligible businesses, with a maximum of 30 suppliers expected to be appointed across the framework.
The tender deadline is 25 November 2026 at 5pm. Businesses considering an application should review the relevant lot specifications and qualification requirements before preparing their submissions.
Total Office & Logistics Solutions Framework: key details
The framework, reference Y26017, is being established by Commercial Services Kent Ltd, trading as Procurement Services. It will provide a route for sourcing office products, workplace support services and specialist logistics solutions. The key procurement details are:
- Contracting authority: Commercial Services Kent Ltd, trading as Procurement Services
- Framework reference: Y26017
- Estimated value: £100 million excluding VAT (£120 million including VAT)
- Framework period: 25 March 2027 to 24 March 2031
- Number of lots: Five
- Maximum framework suppliers: 30
- Procurement procedure: Open
- Enquiry deadline: 29 October 2026 at 5pm
- Tender deadline: 25 November 2026 at 5pm
- Estimated award decision: 25 March 2027
The five-lot structure allows businesses to pursue the categories that best match their products, services and delivery capabilities. Suppliers can review the official Total Office & Logistics Solutions tender notice for the published procurement information.
What are the five framework lots?
Each lot covers a different area of office supply or operational support.
Lot | Category | Estimated value excluding VAT |
|---|---|---|
1 | Office Supplies and Equipment | £40 million |
2 | Managed Support Services | £20 million |
3 | Warehousing, Logistics & Removal Storage | £15 million |
4 | Technology & IT Consumables | £20 million |
5 | Promotional Merchandise | £5 million |
The lot values are estimates and do not guarantee that customers will spend the stated amounts.
Lot 1: Office Supplies and Equipment
The largest lot covers general workplace supplies and equipment. Products include stationery, paper, filing and storage materials, desk essentials, mailing and packaging products, office consumables, furniture and accessories. This creates opportunities for established office suppliers, specialist distributors and businesses offering managed purchasing arrangements.
Suppliers should consider how they will demonstrate product availability, competitive pricing, consistent fulfilment and appropriate customer support. For organisations purchasing large volumes of everyday workplace supplies, reliable ordering and distribution arrangements may be particularly important.
Lot 2: Managed Support Services
Lot 2 covers operational services associated with handling and processing incoming and outgoing communications. Its scope includes inbound and outbound mail management, digital mailroom services and on-site print room management. This may appeal to businesses specialising in document handling, scanning, printing and mailroom outsourcing.
Customers may require support with processing correspondence, managing physical and digital documents, maintaining service continuity and improving administrative efficiency. Suppliers considering this lot should assess their experience of managing sensitive information and delivering reliable operational services.
Lot 3: Warehousing, Logistics & Removal Storage
Lot 3 covers storage, relocation, logistics and associated asset management. Services include warehousing, secure storage, removals, collection and delivery, archive storage, relocation and asset tracking. This creates opportunities for logistics operators, commercial removals businesses and specialist storage providers.
Depending on the requirements, suppliers may need to demonstrate effective inventory management, secure handling procedures and reliable transportation arrangements. Experience coordinating complex relocations or supporting customers with multiple sites could also provide relevant evidence of capability.
Lot 4: Technology & IT Consumables
This lot covers workplace technology and associated consumables. The scope includes end-user hardware, peripherals, networking accessories, storage media, office technology, power and connectivity products, and assistive technology.
Businesses supplying IT equipment and accessories may find opportunities under this category, particularly those capable of providing reliable product sourcing and ongoing customer support. Suppliers should review the technical specifications carefully to establish whether their product ranges and distribution arrangements meet the requirements.
Lot 5: Promotional Merchandise
The final lot covers branded and promotional products. Items include awards, bags, clothing, corporate gifts, drinkware, technology accessories, writing instruments and exhibition merchandise. It could be relevant to promotional product distributors, branded merchandise specialists and businesses offering design, customisation or fulfilment services.
Suppliers should consider how to demonstrate product quality, reliable production and delivery, and the ability to manage customer branding requirements.
Is the framework suitable for SMEs?
All five lots are identified as particularly suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). This makes the framework relevant to both established national suppliers and smaller businesses operating within particular product or service markets.
The category-based structure means that a specialist logistics provider, for example, can focus on Lot 3 without needing to supply general stationery or technology products. Similarly, a promotional merchandise business may be able to compete for Lot 5 without offering broader office support services.
However, applicants must still meet the relevant Conditions of Participation, technical requirements and evaluation thresholds. Businesses should review their chosen lot's detailed specifications and assess whether they have the necessary experience, resources and operational capacity.
How will suppliers be appointed?
The framework has a maximum of 30 supplier appointments across its five lots. Under the published assessment arrangements, each lot will normally have six appointed suppliers, selected from qualifying bidders who score more than 600 points. Additional bidders scoring above 500 points may be appointed where necessary to ensure adequate coverage, subject to the overall framework arrangements.
This means a business must do more than simply satisfy mandatory requirements. It must also achieve a competitive evaluation score. For suppliers, the process places considerable importance on presenting strong quality evidence, realistic commercial proposals and relevant social value commitments. The detailed tender documents should be consulted for the scoring scale, thresholds and any applicable conditions.
How will tenders be evaluated?
The framework applies the following headline evaluation weightings across the five lots:
- Quality: 60%
- Price: 30%
- Social value: 10%
With quality accounting for the majority of the available marks, suppliers will need to demonstrate how they can deliver the relevant products or services reliably.
- For office supplies and technology consumables, this might involve stock availability, accurate fulfilment, distribution arrangements and customer support.
- Managed services providers may need to explain their processes for maintaining service continuity, handling information securely and managing operational performance.
- For logistics providers, evidence could include inventory controls, delivery management, secure storage and experience handling complex relocations.
- Promotional merchandise suppliers may benefit from demonstrating quality controls, production management and reliable fulfilment.
Thornton & Lowe's bid writing services can help suppliers interpret evaluation requirements and prepare responses that demonstrate their capabilities clearly.
How will contracts be awarded through the framework?
Once the framework is established, individual contracts may be awarded through three routes.
- Direct Award allows customers to appoint suppliers without running a new competition where the framework's published rules permit.
- Rapid Request for Quotation (RFQ) provides a streamlined process for assessing straightforward requirements.
- Further Competition allows customers to invite relevant framework suppliers to compete for specific contracts.
These arrangements offer flexibility for different types of purchases, from routine product orders to more complex managed services or logistics requirements. For direct awards, customers must use the information and evaluated pricing established during the original framework competition. This makes the initial submission important beyond securing a place on the framework.
Preparing a competitive application
The five lots appeal to different supplier markets, but there are several common areas that businesses should address when preparing their responses.
Select the most suitable lots
Applicants should begin by identifying which categories match their existing capabilities. A business supplying office products and IT accessories might reasonably consider Lots 1 and 4, while a specialist logistics provider may focus on Lot 3. The key is to demonstrate genuine expertise and capacity rather than pursuing additional categories simply because they are available.
Demonstrate relevant delivery experience
Strong contract examples can help demonstrate a supplier's ability to meet comparable customer requirements. Where possible, explain the scale of previous contracts, products or services delivered and measurable performance outcomes. For example, an office supplies distributor could highlight order accuracy and fulfilment performance, while a mailroom services provider might focus on processing volumes and service reliability.
Explain operational capacity
Customers need confidence that suppliers can respond to changing demand and maintain service quality. Businesses should explain their ordering systems, distribution arrangements, staffing and quality assurance processes as relevant to the chosen lot. Where subcontractors or delivery partners are involved, responsibilities and management arrangements should be clear.
Address social value and sustainability
Social value accounts for 10% of the overall evaluation. Suppliers should develop relevant and achievable commitments, supported by clear implementation plans and methods for measuring results. These might involve skills development, responsible sourcing, environmental improvements or opportunities for local businesses, where appropriate to the procurement.
How to apply for Total Office & Logistics Solutions
The competition is being administered through Delta eSourcing. Suppliers can access the Total Office & Logistics Solutions tender using the published access code 3W3SB68697.
The key deadlines are:
- 29 October 2026 at 5pm: Enquiry deadline
- 25 November 2026 at 5pm: Tender submission deadline
Businesses should review the relevant lot specifications, Conditions of Participation and pricing schedules before preparing their submissions. Allow sufficient time to gather supporting evidence, complete the tender forms and check responses against the evaluation criteria.
How Thornton & Lowe can support suppliers
The Total Office & Logistics Solutions Framework creates opportunities for businesses supplying workplace products, managed support services and specialist logistics solutions. However, the competitive appointment process means applicants will need to demonstrate relevant capabilities, reliable delivery arrangements and a strong understanding of the buyer's requirements.
Thornton & Lowe supports businesses with framework applications, quality responses and bid and tender management, helping suppliers prepare compliant and persuasive submissions. If you're considering applying for Total Office & Logistics Solutions, contact Thornton & Lowe to discuss how we can support your application ahead of the November deadline.
