Print, Fulfilment & Mailing
Framework guidance for NHS Trusts
A competitive tendering procedure is the default approach for most public procurement; however, call-off contracts may be awarded with or without competition between suppliers on the framework, as set out in the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act).
NHS Trusts calling off under an EEM Framework Agreement, without re-opening competition, may instruct the performance of the services by selecting a Framework Provider based on the EEM Framework Agreement Objective Mechanism:
(a) the Framework Provider with the highest overall ranking.
A transparency notice must be published before a contract is directly awarded, in order to comply with the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act).
Select Framework Category
Reference: EEM0025
Contract Notice: 2025/S 000-073288
Contract Award Notice: 2026/S 000-004544
Date Start: 2nd February 2026
Date End: 1st February 2030
Call-off contracts can compliantly run for up to 4 years after this end date
Reference: EEM0025
Contract Notice: 2025/S 000-073288
Date Start: 02/02/2026
Date End: 01/02/2030
Call-off contracts can compliantly run for up to 5 years after this end date
The EEM Print, Fulfilment & Mailing Framework provides public sector organisations with a simple, compliant way to access a full range of print, mailing and fulfilment services through a single, easy-to-use platform.
The framework was developed in partnership with Meta Procurement, specialists in public sector procurement technology, and has been procured in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.
Cubiquity has been appointed as the single supplier, delivering services through a centralised digital platform that enables efficient ordering, management and delivery of print, mail and fulfilment requirements.
Benefits
Single Access Portal:
- A centralised digital platform providing access to all print, mail, fulfilment, and associated services
- Comprehensive and flexible service catalogue comparing live prices against suppliers
- Covers bulk print, transactional mail, hybrid mail, fulfilment, and related services in one place
Digital Procurement Workflow:
- Provides complete end-to-end process including quotation, ordering, approvals, invoicing, and tracking
- Supplier management and framework support provided by Cubiquity
- Managed supply chain including onboarding key suppliers, performance monitoring, and quality assurance
Real-Time Tracking:
- Visibility of jobs from submission through to delivery
- Analytics and reporting
- Dashboars for spend analysis, usage tracking, supplier ratings, and sustainability metrics
Security and Compliance:
- GDPR compliant platform
User Access and Controls:
- Role-based permissions with full audit trail supporting procurement, finance, and operational users
Value-Added Services
A full suite of buyer support services is available, including:
- Framework terms advice
- Price and benchmarking services
- Specification support
- Vendor price leveraging
- Supplier management
- Value-for-money
- Direct award and mini-competition advice and support
Next Steps
Please contact EEM in the first instance to request further details and an access agreement for this framework.
Please contact EEM in the first instance to request further details and an access agreement for this framework.
Request Further Information
Supplier interested in joining this framework?
Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, there is no upcoming opportunity to join this framework. Please check back 18 months before the framework end date.
FAQs
What is a procurement framework?
A procurement framework is a fully compliant agreement with material or service suppliers that sets pre-agreed terms and conditions and price and quality levels for the duration of the programme (usually four years) and then suppliers are invited to deliver the specification when required. Frameworks take significant time and resources to establish and they enable buyers to purchase goods and services without running their own full and lengthy tendering exercises.
Our frameworks are procured with the potential aggregated spend of all our members which helps to achieve some of the lowest rates in the country. Prices are generally established during the initial framework tender stage and any additional prices required for specific projects will be confirmed during the call-off process.
Minimum standards are laid out within the documents so members can simply ‘call-off’ from the framework and add their own requirements to suit their specific projects. Members can call-off from the framework by running a mini-competition which usually takes 4-6 weeks or if their internal procedures allow, they can compliantly select a providers directly.
Each of our frameworks run for four years and suppliers cannot be added to the arrangement during this period. If a member wishes to call-off from the framework towards the end of its life span, it is compliant for the contract to run for a 2-5 years after the end date, depending on the framework in question.
How can I call-off from an EEM Framework?
Our aim is to keep the call-off process as simple as possible.
Most frameworks are available to call-off from via direct award or mini-competition and either option is fully compliant with the terms of the framework agreement. Members direct awarding via our frameworks will need to ensure the award is compliant with any internal regulations and procedures their organisation has.
For a direct award call-off, we will arrange and attend a meeting with you and your proposed material or service provider. Providers must confirm framework prices, scope of works and accept the terms of the call-off. We will help manage the direct selection process to make sure the provider is applying terms of the framework correctly.
For a mini-competition call-off, the first stage would be for EEM to issue an ‘expression of interest’ request to all providers within the relevant work stream and geographical location for your project. Members can then choose whether they would like EEM to run the procurement process for them or carry it out in-house, with our support. All our mini competitions are managed through a secure portal and usually run on a price and quality basis. During a tender period, we manage all queries, ensuring a transparent process. Returned submissions are made available to the member for evaluation and final selection. A member of our Member Support Team will then arrange and attend a kick start meeting with the successful material or service provider.
For both processes, once a provider is selected, EEM can complete the standard form of contract and provide ongoing support throughout the contract period.
How can providers join an EEM framework or DPS?
We advertise opportunities to join an EEM framework on websites such as Find a Tender (FTS) when we are creating a new opportunity, or a current framework is approaching the end of it’s life span (usually every 4 years). Suppliers may join a DPS at any time during the DPS term. The Find a Tender (FTS) advert remains open on the relevant websites throughout the DPS life span.
Suppliers may wish to find the framework(s) that suits them best on our framework pages and hit the button to request to be notified when the next opportunity to join arises.
Some of our frameworks require contractors to be able to cover a wide variety of works. If your organisation only covers one small aspect of works required, we recommend that you contact our current successful contractors to enquire about sub-contracting opportunities.