Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
APUC Limited
Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ
Telephone
+44 1314428930
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
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
SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature
Reference number
LIB1017AP
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
APUC is seeking to enter into an agreement with Springer Nature to offer its member institutions access to Springer Nature online books, free of digital rights management (DRM), for up to 4 years.
Springer Nature is the owner of the intellectual property rights to this content and is the sole supplier of this unique product and service.
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: £2,100,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
Various
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
APUC is seeking to commence an agreement with Springer Nature to offer its member institutions to purchase access to its online eBook Collection. The agreement will be on facilitated by APUC on behalf of the higher education (HE) institutions in Scotland and the National Library of Scotland. APUC will not make any purchases under the agreement
Springer Nature is the owner of the intellectual property rights to this content and is the sole supplier of this unique product and service.
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: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- procurement aiming at the creation or acquisition of a unique work of art or artistic performance
Explanation:
The publishing service is unique to the supplier and sector. The agreement falls within the derogation contained within Regulation 33(b)(i)of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, permitting APUC to enter into the direct award.
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
LIB1017AP
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
26 March 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Springer Nature
The Campus, 4 Crinan Street
London
N1 9XS
Telephone
+44 000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £2,200,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The contract value is estimated based on expenditure aggregated for four years, with full participation from all Scottish HE institutions and the National Library of Scotland.
(SC Ref:649014)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Stirling Sheriff Court
Viewfield Pl, Stirling
Stirling
FK8 1NH
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court
or the Court of Session