Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh
EH1 1EW
Contact
Barbara Burke
Telephone
+44 1316233700
Fax
+44 1316233701
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA11622
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Design, Editing, Production and Distribution Services for Discover Magazine,other Library Publications and associated services
Reference number
2020.21.001
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79970000 - Publishing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 22314000 - Designs
- 92310000 - Artistic and literary creation and interpretation services
- 79970000 - Publishing services
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 92312211 - Writing agency services
- 79933000 - Design support services
- 79824000 - Printing and distribution services
- 79822500 - Graphic design services
- 79810000 - Printing services
- 79800000 - Printing and related services
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79820000 - Services related to printing
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
The Library requires a Service Provider to design, provide editorial services, production and distribution in the main for the Library Magazine “Discover“ and including other Library literature as required including, but not exclusive to, the Library Annual Review and Library Brochure. All printed documents must be fully accessible and comply with Library Gaelic Language Plan.
This will be a fully managed service, subcontracted as required and will comprise of, but not limited to the following
Discover Magazine – up to three editions in a 12-month period,
Library Annual Review – one edition required in a 12-month period
Library Brochure – one edition in a 12-month period
Other corporate literature as required including but not exclusive to printed material related to upcoming major capital projects, Library centenary and a major fundraising campaign.
It is anticipated that a contract will be awarded in late November 2020 to commence on 1st January 2021 and will run for a minimum of two (2) and maximum of five (5) years; extended year on year by mutual agreement, continued business need, budget availability and the supplier’s satisfactory performance.
Discover magazine – up to three editions in a 12-month period, services include
36-page (approx.) magazine
Design, art direction, picture research and artwork
Full editorial service
Some research, commissioning, interviewing and writing services
Pre–production and finalisation for print and print management
Delivery and distribution of printed copies
Online version suitable in all digital platforms
Advertising.
Library annual review – one edition required in a 12-month period, services include
28-page (approx.) document
Design, art direction, image research and artwork
Full editorial service
Pre-production and finalisation for print and print management
Delivery of printed copies and digital copy for website.
New requirement for mail out to specific mail out list
Library brochure – one edition in a 12-month period, services include
Make adjustments to current brochure including images, small text adjustments and fully update public programmes pages
Pre-production and finalisation for print and print management
Delivery of printed copies to the Library
Scope for review and full editorial and redesign services during the lifespan of this contract.
Other corporate literature as required including but not exclusive to printed material related to upcoming major capital projects, Library centenary and a major fundraising campaign.
Actual services required for other corporate literature cannot be confirmed but is likely to include:
Leaflets, flyers and posters about major capital works
Fundraising collateral, including high-quality invites and brochures
Material related to centenary planning – this could include a standalone publication similar to a magazine
Other corporate literature services
Some translation services.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
48
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract
Notice number: 2020/S 251-634350
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
2020.21.001
Title
Design, Editing, Production and Distribution Services for Discover Magazine,other Library Publications and associated services
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
3 December 2020
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Connect Publications (Scotland) Ltd
Studio 2001 Mile End , 12 Seedhill Road
Paisley
PA1 1JS
Telephone
+44 1415610300
Fax
+44 1415610400
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £94,525.48
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:820680)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House, 27 Chambers Streert
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Telephone
+44 1312252525
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 79970000 - Publishing services
seven.1.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 22314000 - Designs
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79800000 - Printing and related services
- 79810000 - Printing services
- 79820000 - Services related to printing
- 79822500 - Graphic design services
- 79824000 - Printing and distribution services
- 79933000 - Design support services
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 92310000 - Artistic and literary creation and interpretation services
- 92312211 - Writing agency services
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
This notice informs about modifications made to the Design, Editing, Production and Distribution Services for the Library's publications.
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
24
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£322,000
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Connect Publications (Scotland) Ltd
Studio 2001 Mile End , 12 Seedhill Road
Paisley
PA1 1JS
Telephone
+44 1415610300
Fax
+44 1415610400
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
The Library has applied Regulation 72(1)(c) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 which states that a contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure where all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) the need for modification has been brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority could not have foreseen;
(ii) the modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract or framework;
(iii) any increase in price does not exceed 50 % of the initial contract value or framework agreement;
The Library sees conditions (i) and (ii) satisfied and has modified the contract value by no more than 50% of the initial contract value, which was 215,225 GBP. The maximum value of the contract modification is therefore 107,612.50 GBP.
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee.
Description of the circumstances which rendered the modification necessary and explanation of the unforeseen nature of these circumstances:
The unforeseeable circumstances relate to our ‘Dear Library’ exhibition’s public discourse. An important element of this intense phase of negative media attention was its unforeseeable rolling nature over seven months – from May 2025. The Library could not have foreseen the length of this intense public discourse. It started off as an FOI request, became a national news item, and resulted in an independent enquiry and ongoing press interest. This was not one event but a series of stories over at least seven months. The Delegated Purchasing Officer (DPO) was at the heart of the Library’s response. The sole staff member who dealt with this intense negative experience from a media management perspective was also the sole person who could have procured this contract. Moving other staff over to contract procurement was something which the Library was not able to resource.
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £215,000
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £322,000