Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
the Education Authority
40 Academy Street
Belfast
BT1 2NQ
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.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
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.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £8,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
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: AC1 Digital Library Offer / Weighting: 50
Cost criterion - Name: AC2 Total Overall Cost / Weighting: 50
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £8,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
OPTION TO EXTEND FOR PERIOD(S) OF 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
Tenderers should ensure they read and understand the documentation found in the CFT documents area of eTendersNI. . As a Public Sector Procurement organisation, EA must adhere to the Procurement Policy Notes, https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/procurement-policy-notes-ppns. . This tender includes requirements relating to Human Rights, Modern Slavery, Supply Chain Resilience and Social Value and all tenders must meet the requirements detailed in the tender documentation to be compliant. . EA reserves the right to: . 1. Not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice.. 2. To make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition.. To award (a) contract(s) in respect of any part(s) of the [services] covered by this notice..
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Full details can be found in the CfT documents section on eTendersNI.
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
Full details can be found in the CfT documents section on eTendersNI.
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
Full details can be found in the CfT documents section on eTendersNI.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Full details can be found in the CfT documents section on eTendersNI.
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: 2024/S 000-027798
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Originally published as:
Date
25 March 2025
Local time
3:00pm
Changed to:
Date
14 May 2025
Local time
3:00pm
See the change notice.
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until: 23 June 2025
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
25 March 2025
Local time
3:30pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The UK does not have any such bodies with responsibility for appeal/mediation procedures. 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 as amended.
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom