Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Lincolnshire County Council
County Offices, Newland
Lincoln
LN1 1YL
Contact
Mrs Emma Golds
emma.golds@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1522552222
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKF3 - Lincolnshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/opportunities
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com/opportunities
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
LCC - Library Services
Reference number
DN679683
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) is re-procuring its Library Services contract and is seeking a partner, that has the knowledge, skills and experience, to run and manage those services on the Council’s behalf.
The contract shall be for an initial period of Five (5) years commencing 1st April 2026, with option to extend for a further Five (5) years with a total potential duration of Ten (10) years.
LCC has a statutory obligation to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons who live, work or study in Lincolnshire.
The services within the contract will broadly cover the following services:
- Core Library Services
- Community Library Support Services
- Rural Library Services
- Contracted Services (Prison and Schools)
- Associated IT (hardware and software)
This opportunity will be run as a Competitive Procedure with Negotiation in accordance of the requirements of section 29 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015
Full details of the selection and award process will provided in the procurement documentation which is available via the Councils ProContract e-Sourcing Portal Opportunities (due-north.com)
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £80,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKF3 - Lincolnshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lincolnshire County Council has circa 5000 employees, working as ‘One Council’ to deliver on 4 key priorities:
- High aspirations
- The opportunity to enjoy life to the full
- Thriving environments
- Good-value council services
Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) is re-procuring its Library Services contract and is seeking a partner, that has the knowledge, skills and experience, to run and manage those services on the Council’s behalf. This is a 10-year contract to start April 2026.
LCC has a statutory obligation to provide a comprehensive and efficient library services for all persons who live, work or study in Lincolnshire.
The services within the contract will broadly cover the following services:
- Core Library Services
- Community Library Support Services
- Rural Library Services
- Contracted Services (Prison and Schools)
- Associated IT (hardware and software)
The service will need to be:
- Modern; providing world-class access to its services both online and through digital technology.
- Sustainable; a network of sustainable library buildings offering opportunities for life-long learning and access to information.
- Strong; helping communities to help themselves by supporting the continued development of Community Libraries with training, advice and resources.
- Engaged; promoting the benefits of reading and learning.
- Supportive; providing a range of specialist support to people who have difficulty reaching libraries, including without limitation the Home Library Service and Listening Lincs.
The Council envisages with a 10 year contract, starting in April 2026. This will follow a period of transition from the existing provider. To reflect a long-term agreement a maximum value range of £80,000,000 has been agreed; the Council does not guarantee that this value will be made available over the term and is intended to be indicative at this stage.
This procurement is being structured to allow the Council's key partner authorities in the Greater Lincolnshire region to have the option to enter into a Contract for Library Services with the Service Provider if they should wish too on the basis of this Contract Notice. The Contract will be structured in a form to allow North East Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council to exercise the option to contract directly with the Service Provider for some or all of the Services and other services delivered by them in exercise of their functions through a Deed of Accession. There are no plans for this to happen currently.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 60
Quality criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 5%
Price - Weighting: 35%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
60
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
There will be an opportunity to extend the contract for a further 60 months.
The total contract duration will be 120 months.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
Competitive procedure with negotiation
four.1.5) Information about negotiation
The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
8 January 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
3 February 2025
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
Duration in months: 7 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England and Wales
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom