Scope
Reference
002713
Description
The British Library is seeking to establish a framework arrangement with suppliers who can demonstrate their capability in providing high quality conservation and binding services to Library collections. The framework is divided into 3 Lots, and the British Library anticipates appointing between 1 and 6 suppliers per Lot.
This tender is divided by 'Lots' based on types of treatment, and tenderers are invited to bid for any combination of Lots, which fall broadly into the three following categories:
1.Lot 1 - Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation
2.Lot 2 - Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering
3.Lot 3 - Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Bookbinding-and-finishing-services./78G8645358
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £1,800,000 excluding VAT
- £2,160,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
- Possible extension to 1 April 2030
- 4 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The duration of the framework arrangement will be an initial period of 12 months commencing on the 1 April 2026 with a further three optional 12-month extensions thereafter. The total maximum duration of the framework arrangement will therefore be four years from 1 April 2026.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79971000 - Bookbinding and finishing services
- 79971200 - Bookbinding services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
The framework is divided into 3 Lots, and the British Library anticipates appointing between 1 and 6 suppliers per Lot.
There is no limit of Lots Tenderers can apply for.
Lot Lot 1. Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation
Description
Please download and refer to the ITT for full description of the Lots.
This lot includes the following treatments:
-Dry cleaning
-Aqueous treatment (flattening only)
-Guarding, tipping in
-Substrate repair, consolidation and lining
-Hand sewing
-Machine sewing
-Covering material repair, consolidation
oLeather
oParchment/vellum
oBuckram/book cloth
oPaper
-Reback (tight and hollow), board reattachment, recreating/replacing covers
oLeather
oParchment/vellum
oBuckram/book cloth
oPaper
-Lettering
-Pressure-sensitive tape/label removal
-Staple removal
-Slipping bolts
-Insert original covers into a new binding
-Re-casing of textblock in original covers
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,260,000 excluding VAT
- £1,512,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2.Lot 2. Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering
Description
Download and review Tender documents for full details.
Lot 2: Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering
This lot includes the following treatments:
-Hand sewing
-Machine sewing
-Rebinding in the following styles
oPamphlet
oCase
oSplit-board
-New bindings for previously unbound material in the following styles:
oPamphlet
oCase
oSplit-board
oGuard-book
oPost-binder
oQuarter-flush cloth
-Lettering
-Insert original covers into a new binding
Lot value (estimated)
- £360,000 excluding VAT
- £432,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 3. Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering
Description
Download and review Tender Document for full details.
Lot 3: Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering
This lot includes the following:
-Drop-back boxes, made of permanent board, put together with EVA and covered in permanent buckram with permanent paper tray linings
-Four-flap folders, made of permanent board, put together with EVA and covered in permanent buckram with permanent paper linings
-Lettering
Lot value (estimated)
- £180,000 excluding VAT
- £216,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot Lot 1. Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation
Lot 2.Lot 2. Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering
Lot Lot 3. Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
23 January 2026, 12:00am
Tender submission deadline
2 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
6 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Criterion 2 | Quality | 80% |
| Criterion 1 | Price | 20% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
British Library
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCXZ-9362-XQJM
British Library, 96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@bl.uk
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Organisation type: Public authority - central government