The UK’s newly established Courier, Distribution, Storage and Specialist Solutions Framework offers a centralized platform for public sector bodies to procure logistics services, encompassing routine deliveries alongside high-security movements. Administered by the Government Commercial Agency, the agreement merges courier, storage, distribution, and specialist logistics into a single contract. This replaces two prior frameworks: RM6171, which handled courier and specialist movements, and RM6282, covering storage and distribution.
This framework encompasses 19 distinct service categories, including international air and sea freight, rail transport, nationwide storage, and specialized handling for medical samples, firearms, and hazardous materials. Its operational period runs from February 5, 2026, to February 4, 2030, without possibility of extension. The agreement applies to central government departments, charities, educational institutions, health services, local authorities, emergency responders, and devolved administrations.
A notable update involves the adoption of the PA22 Public Sector Contract template, designed to simplify procurement of common goods and services. The framework also mandates carbon reduction plans, social value assessments, and adherence to Cyber Essentials Plus security standards across all participating suppliers. Among the appointed providers, 23 are classified as small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reflecting public sector priorities for supporting smaller businesses.
Detailed service lots for logistics
International logistics are divided into four dedicated lots: air freight (Lot 1b), rail freight (Lot 1c), road freight (Lot 1d), and sea freight (Lot 1e). Each category includes customs clearance, documentation processing, and onward transportation. Domestic services include storage solutions (Lot 2a), order fulfillment (Lot 2b), and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical distribution (Lot 2e), the latter requiring traceable asset management systems.
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Specialized services extend to secure exam material transport (Lot 3c), biological sample handling (Lot 3d), and controlled item disposal (Lot 4a). The final category manages firearms, explosives, and weapons under stringent regulatory oversight. The framework also supports recycling and asset recovery (Lot 4b), including medical equipment and IT disposal.
Public sector organizations can access these services through either competitive bidding or direct awards, depending on their specific requirements. Pricing information is available by contacting the CCS team, with reference to RM6354. For lots requiring access agreements—such as 3a–3e—organizations must complete formal procedures before submitting requests for quotes.
Policy-driven procurement with public sector goals
The framework’s design aligns with broader public sector procurement trends, where consolidation reduces administrative workload while maintaining compliance standards. Similar models exist for digital services and construction, streamlining expenditure through centralized contracts with standardized terms. Unlike private-sector logistics agreements, this framework embeds policy requirements, such as carbon reduction commitments and social value assessments, directly into supplier obligations, ensuring alignment with government objectives.
For organizations handling sensitive or high-value items, Lot 3b provides enhanced security measures, including double-manned vehicles and additional insurance coverage for deliveries such as IT equipment or museum artefacts. This lot includes 12 suppliers, ensuring both redundancy and competitive pricing. Similarly, Lot 4a, which focuses on firearms and explosives, restricts participation to four suppliers who must meet rigorous security and disposal protocols.
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Before initiating any procurement, buyers must consult Framework Schedule 7, which outlines procedures for both competitive tenders and direct awards. Competitive processes require clear specifications, supplier invitations, and confidential evaluations, while direct awards cap pricing at maximum commercial rates. All award decisions must be published on Find a Tender to ensure transparency in the procurement process.
Updated contract template and compliance demands
The PA23 Public Sector Contract has replaced the earlier PA22 template, offering a more streamlined approach to purchasing common logistics services. Unlike its predecessor, the new template incorporates industry-standard terms tailored to specific service categories, reducing administrative complexity. Suppliers must now comply with PPN006 carbon reduction plans, submitting updated strategies to demonstrate adherence to government environmental targets. Social value assessments, conducted in accordance with PPN 002, were mandatory during the tender phase, ensuring suppliers prioritized community benefits alongside service delivery.
International storage services are organized into two dedicated lots. Lot 1a covers secure overseas storage and fulfillment, including inbound warehousing, inventory tracking, and customs clearance for imports and exports. Suppliers must provide packaging solutions, handling equipment, and asset-management systems with full traceability, critical for high-value or regulated goods. Lot 1f expands this by combining international storage with global transportation options, allowing buyers to select sea, rail, road, or air freight for onward movement. Both lots require suppliers to manage cross-border documentation in compliance with UK and destination-country regulations.
This includes inbound warehousing, order consolidation, and merge-in-transit solutions, alongside packaging and stock control systems. Unlike separate storage or transport services, Lot 2d suppliers handle complete workflows, minimizing handoffs between providers. Lot 2e focuses specifically on temperature-controlled pharmaceutical distribution, mandating refrigerated storage, dual-zone vehicles, and traceable asset management, essential for vaccines and medical products with strict storage requirements.