UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) consists of 9 Councils, including 7 research councils, Innovate UK and Research England.

UKRI research councils UK SBS and UKRI have a managed print solution implemented across various locations within the UK.

The current agreement ends on 30th June 2023 and, there is a requirement to replace the existing service.

UK SBS and UKRI have a cloud first strategy and therefore UK SBS would like to explore the viability of a cloud solution, however due to new ways of working post COVID, UK SBS are also exploring the use of a strictly on-premises solution.

There's also a possibility of Gov printing, which UK SBS are keen to investigate.

The solution may also be cloud based with onsite servers.

UK SBS Cloud based strategy is based on the government's strategy which can be located via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-cloud-first-policy and covers all MFD devices supported by UK SBS and for the Research Council at the named locations.

All devices must be ready for use by 30th June 2023.

The previous solution led to UK SBS having the solution provider's printers, therefore they will be removed at the end of their tenure.

There are currently 50 printers across UK SBS and UKRI.

The estimated total value for up to 7 years ( 3+1+1+1+1) contract is £650,000 excluding VAT .

We are conducting market research with our Shared Services provider, UK SBS, to get feedback on our specification, understand available technological options, and pricing mechanisms.

A route to market has not yet been established.

We're holding pre-market supplier engagement session(s) between Thursday 27th and Friday 28th October 2022 for half an hour per session.

UKSBS are keen to assess details of what is available on the market through a market engagement exercise and the aim of this session will be an exploratory and knowledge gathering session to evaluate the overall market and new solutions.

UK SBS would like to explore the viability of a cloud solution, on-premises solution.

There's also a possibility of Gov printing, which UK SBS are keen to investigate.

The solution may also be cloud based with onsite servers.

This session is also an opportunity to gain an understanding of the possible solutions and prices on offer in the current market as well as fact finding.

All locations are in scope the solution must provide a Single Secure printing solution for the user numbers and sites as a minimum equivalent to the devices The solution must also allow printing through 'Pull Printing'.

Staff must be able to print to any device around the buildings using the pull printing solution from either the wired or wireless corporate networks.

User authenticates at any MFD which releases print job.

Guests and Visitors must be able to print to any MFD securely It is expected that the solution should cover the following: - • Service providers to install print solution • Service provider to provide training • Service provider to maintain solution