Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DB
Contact
Neil Whitehouse
michelle_hackwood@sandwell.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKG37 - Sandwell
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Distribution of the Sandwell Herald 2024 to 2026
Reference number
SMBC 23090
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79824000 - Printing and distribution services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Sandwell Herald is the council’s newspaper for residents. The Herald is designed fully in-house and print is handled through a separate contract. Sandwell Council’s Communications and Corporate Affairs Team required a contactor to handle the distribution of approximately 146,825 copies of the Sandwell Herald newspaper in line with its current look for up to six editions for the period 05 February 2024 to 31 January 2026. The number of editions over the two-year contract, pagination and quantities required are subject to budget and demand. Public Health Booklets Distribution and Print Sandwell Council’s Public Health Team is expecting to publish up to three booklets over two years – this includes two winter booklets (anticipated to distribute in late November 2025 and late November 2026), with the potential for one further booklet at some point during the two-year contract.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £211,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79824000 - Printing and distribution services
- 64111000 - Postal services related to newspapers and periodicals
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG37 - Sandwell
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Sandwell Herald is the council’s newspaper for residents. The Herald is designed fully in-house and print is handled through a separate contract. Sandwell Council’s Communications and Corporate Affairs Team required a contactor to handle the distribution of approximately 146,825 copies of the Sandwell Herald newspaper in line with its current look for up to six editions for the period 05 February 2024 to 31 January 2026. The number of editions over the two-year contract, pagination and quantities required are subject to budget and demand. Public Health Booklets Distribution and Print Sandwell Council’s Public Health Team is expecting to publish up to three booklets over two years – this includes two winter booklets (anticipated to distribute in late November 2025 and late November 2026), with the potential for one further booklet at some point during the two-year contract.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40%
Price - Weighting: 60%
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2023/S 000-037131
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
Distribution of the Sandwell Herald
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 January 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The Letterbox Consultancy Ltd
45 Palmers Way, Cheshunt
Herts
EN8 9HS
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKH23 - Hertfordshire
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £211,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £183,651.96
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court of England
Royal Court of Justice the Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom