Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Libraries NI
Belfast Central Library, Royal Avenue
Belfast
BT1 1EA
Contact
educationresource.procureeani.org.uk
educationresource.procure@eani.org.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Buyer's address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
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
EDR-24-008 DIGITAL LIBRARY FOR LIBRARIES NI
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 22213000 - Magazines
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The Education Authority (the Authority) on
behalf of Libraries NI (the Client) invites Tenders for A Digital
Lending Platform to include downloadable eBooks, eAudio books,
eMagazines and eNewspapers ie the Digital Library Offer for a
period of 24 months with the option to extend for period(s) of up
to and including 24 months.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £8,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 22200000 - Newspapers, journals, periodicals and magazines
- 22210000 - Newspapers
- 79980000 - Subscription services
- 92511000 - Library services
- 79995000 - Library management services
- 48161000 - Library management system
- 72500000 - Computer-related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Education Authority (the Authority) on behalf of
Libraries NI (the Client) invites Tenders for A Digital Lending
Platform to include downloadable eBooks, eAudio books, eMagazines
and eNewspapers ie the Digital Library Offer for a period of 24
months with the option to extend for period(s) of up to and
including 24 months.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Digital Library Offer / Weighting: 50
Cost criterion - Name: Total Overall Cost / Weighting: 50
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
The Contracting Authority can make no commitment or guarantee as to when orders will be placed for the service throughout the period of the Contract or as to the value/volume of the orders.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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: 2025/S 000-005944
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
1
Title
Contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
29 December 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
OVERDRIVE INC.
1 OVERDRIVE WAY
CLEVELAND
441255385
Country
United States
NUTS code
- US - United States
Companies House
4405982
Internet address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £8,000,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £8,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Contracting Authority can make no commitment or guarantee as to when orders will be placed for the service throughout the period of the Contract or as to the value/volume of the orders.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The UK does not currently have any such bodies with responsibilities for appeal/mediation procedures
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The UK does not have any special review body. with responsibility for appeal/mediation. procedures in public. procurement competitions. Instead; any challenges are dealt with. by. the High Court, Commercial Division, to which proceedings may. be issued regarding alleged. breaches of the PCR 2015.The EA. operated a standstill period (i.e. a. minimum of 10 calendar. days). at the point information on the award of contract was communicated. to tenderers.. That notification provided full information on the. award decision. This provided time for the. unsuccessful tenderers. to challenge the award decision before the contract was entered into.