A prior information notice has been posted detailing the scope of the procurement project, which is likely to involve a contract being awarded early next year.

The notice states that the DWP will be “undertaking a competition to procure future transactional bulk print services; managed print and digital solutions and the capability to also provide a reprographic service if required”.

A lengthy list of requirements features core print services including digital, litho and screen printing; forms, leaflets, claim packs, envelopes and Parliamentary papers; mailsorting; direct mail; personalised products and print-on-demand; secure print production and storage; and alternative formats such as British Sign Language video, audio and Braille.

The contract can be divided into lots.

A web-to-print portal to allow DWP staff to tailor artwork within pre-defined templates will also be part of the remit, and the successful tenderer will need to “support the digitisation agenda” and “work closely with the DWP to help shape future communication mediums” using both hard copy and digital channels.

“Subject to finalising the scope of the requirement, it is intended that the tendering exercise will be conducted in 2019/20, the relevant contract notice is estimated to be published early 2020,” the DWP stated.

The DWP awarded a five-year, £52.5m contract for print services to outsourcing group Williams Lea in April 2015, with an option to extend it for a further year and then an additional exit year if necessary. When it was initially posted the estimated value of that contract had been £250m.

The new arrangement is expected to commence in April 2021.

The DWP is the UK’s biggest public service department. It administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits – including the controversial Universal Credit scheme – and deals with around 20m claimants and customers.