This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Executive’s publications contract awarded
05/08/2004
The contract for Scottish Executive design, print, publishing and associated services has been awarded to Astron Document Services Ltd.
It will bring arrangements which are currently separate - including publication sales and distribution, editorial services and in-house network printing - into the main contract. It aims to provide added value and generate savings for the Executive over the lifetime of the contract in line with the aims of the Efficient Government initiative.
The contract was awarded after an open procurement process under European procurement rules.
The requirement was last tendered in 1998, when the contract was awarded.
Since 1998, requirements have changed significantly in respect of the volume, complexity, and increased level of quality and presentation required by customers. The need for more specialist areas associated with print and publications production have also arisen. There are also a number of other areas within the Executive for which separate arrangements currently exist which will be brought into the contract.
As a result, a new contract has been drawn up to provide the full range of necessary requirements. The contract covers the period October 4 2004 to October 3 2007, with two one-year options to extend at the sole discretion of Scottish Ministers. The contract provides for a lead-in period commencing on August 5 2004.
Astron has been selected as the successful candidate after the procurement process. On the basis of the evaluation of both the technical and financial elements of the bids, it was concluded that Astron offered the best overall value for money. In addition, the Astron bid included a number of elements which will provide added value/generate savings for the Executive over the lifetime of the contract.