The tender was orchestrated for the first time under the Wider Public Sector Print Services framework agreement, launched early last year by the Government Procurement Service (GPS). CDS won a place as one of four suppliers to Lot 1 of the framework: managed print and e-communications services.

CDS has retained the contract since 1998, previously bidding through public tender, and the latest award extends the project for another four years. CDS print services director David Burton predicted that the work could be worth up to £2m throughout the duration of the latest contract.

CDS will continue to use a local base of suppliers to the Sutton branch for conventional print, managed by a single account manager, Martin Wilson. Wilson also produces digital printing using Canon machinery at the Sutton office for short-run internal communications at the council.

Reprographics and e-communications will be managed off-site at CDS’ seven alternative UK-wide offices to be sent on to Wilson and the local print base for printing.

Burton said that, when CDS took over the contract 16 years ago, it was soon decided that the "ancient" litho equipment would be sold off as outsourcing conventional print would prove a more cost-effective strategy.

And, by using a local bike delivery service to transport print work from the local supply base and employing other eco-friendly solutions, CDS has retained the work from Sutton council.

Burton said: "We have used the bike delivery before but this time we are really focusing on that to reduce the petrol used.

"We know through our relationship with Sutton council that sustainable, environmentally-friendly solutions and cost effectiveness are key drivers. Having a long-term relationship with the local supply base enables us to work with them to deliver services effectively and sustainably."

Since winning a place on the GPS framework, Burton said that CDS has taken on work from another council body and a Scottish fire service, and is in the process of bidding for more contracts.

He added that CDS was just beginning to reap the rewards of being on the framework, adding to its current £25m turnover, and expects that there could be millions of pounds worth of additional opportunities for Lot 1 suppliers in the remainder of the four-year framework.Tweet