Tender

Books, e-books and associated services

  • Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-000133

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-048897

Published 6 January 2025, 6:16am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)

Reading Enterprise Centre, The University of Reading, Whiteknights Road, Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BU

Contact

Gavin Phillips

Email

supc@sums.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 1182284020

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

National registration number

111357

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.supc.ac.uk

Buyer's address

https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/86623

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=87046&B=SUPC

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=87046&B=SUPC

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Books, e-books and associated services

Reference number

LIB4061 SU

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

Framework agreement for the supply of books, e-books and associated resources and services. This tender is split into 9 Lots. Participating consortia cover universities and other Public Sector members including (but not limited to) schools, colleges, Multi-Academy Trusts, government departments and research institutes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The named consortia are SUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC, LUPC, HEPCW, Academic Libraries North, NEYAL, MUAL, and WHELF.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £450,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for maximum number of lots
7

The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:

Bidders may bid for any combination of Lots with the following exceptions:

• Bidders must not bid for both Lot 1 and Lot 2.

• Bidders for Lot 8 must not bid for any of Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7.

• In the event that a Bidder submits Bids that do not comply with these exceptions, the Authority will raise a clarification to determine which Lot(s) will be evaluated and which will be discarded.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Large-scale and library-focussed suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials including but not limited to maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders and out-of-print materials. Suppliers will be capable of meeting operational requirements such as metadata provision, shelf-ready servicing, and interoperability with Library Management Systems. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £70,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 1 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Specialist suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials such as maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders. Suppliers will specialise according to factors such as language, region of publication, material type, subject, etc. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £10,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 2 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22111000 - School books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22113000 - Library books
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Supply of printed publications and other hard copy materials, generally for non-library purposes of academic departments, schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, and other public sector organisations. Associated goods relating to reading provision may be supplied under this Lot where a dedicated framework is not required.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £40,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 3 will be awarded to a maximum of 8 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via the aggregator’s own platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £120,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 4 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via a third party or publisher platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £40,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 5 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: subscription packages

Lot No

6

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Subscription e-book packages via aggregator’s own platform. Packages may include wider digital content in addition to e-books. Package content will be pre-defined in nature and not bespoke selections of titles.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £20,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 6 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: e-textbooks

Lot No

7

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

E-textbook access via an aggregator e-textbook platform. Title selections may be bespoke or pre-defined packages.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £120,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 7 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-books: specialist and innovative solutions

Lot No

8

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Specialised e-book solutions for delivery via Supplier’s own platform. This Lot offers a route to market for solutions that do not fit the specification of other e-book Lots (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7). Solutions might include those that are not specifically designed for the HE market, that deliver specialist content, or that offer alternative business models that don’t fit in another Lot. Suppliers bidding for this Lot may not bid for any other e-book Lot (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7).

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £20,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 8 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision

Lot No

9

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Where a member wishes to set up an approved supplier for individual staff or students to purchase hard copy or digital materials. Bursary provision may also be facilitated where operated on a credit basis and the supplier meets individual member requirements. In these cases, bursaries may include a wider scope of goods that support learning.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £10,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 9 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

Framework agreement with several operators

Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 30

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2024/S 000-024901

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

21 February 2025

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

21 February 2025

Local time

12:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Southern Universities Management Services

Reading Enterprise Centre, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BU

Email

supc@sums.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 1182284020

Country

United Kingdom