Contract

Books, e-books and associated services

  • Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-046368

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-048897 (view related notices)

Published 6 August 2025, 9:17am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)

Reading Enterprise Centre, The University of Reading, Whiteknights Road, Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BU

Contact

Gavin Phillips

Email

supc@sums.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 1182284020

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

National registration number

111357

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.supc.ac.uk

Buyer's address

https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/86623

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

Books, e-books and associated services

Reference number

LIB4061 SU

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

Framework agreement for the supply of books, e-books and associated resources and services. This tender is split into 9 Lots. Participating consortia cover universities and other Public Sector members including (but not limited to) schools, colleges, Multi-Academy Trusts, government departments and research institutes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The named consortia are SUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC, LUPC, HEPCW, Academic Libraries North, NEYAL, MUAL, and WHELF.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £450,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Large-scale and library-focussed suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials including but not limited to maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders and out-of-print materials. Suppliers will be capable of meeting operational requirements such as metadata provision, shelf-ready servicing, and interoperability with Library Management Systems. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 1 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Specialist suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials such as maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders. Suppliers will specialise according to factors such as language, region of publication, material type, subject, etc. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 25

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 15

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 2 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22111000 - School books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22113000 - Library books
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Supply of printed publications and other hard copy materials, generally for non-library purposes of academic departments, schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, and other public sector organisations. Associated goods relating to reading provision may be supplied under this Lot where a dedicated framework is not required.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 30

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 3 will be awarded to a maximum of 8 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via the aggregator’s own platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 4 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via a third party or publisher platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 5 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: subscription packages

Lot No

6

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Subscription e-book packages via aggregator’s own platform. Packages may include wider digital content in addition to e-books. Package content will be pre-defined in nature and not bespoke selections of titles.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 6 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-book aggregator: e-textbooks

Lot No

7

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

E-textbook access via an aggregator e-textbook platform. Title selections may be bespoke or pre-defined packages.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 7 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

E-books: specialist and innovative solutions

Lot No

8

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22113000 - Library books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Specialised e-book solutions for delivery via Supplier’s own platform. This Lot offers a route to market for solutions that do not fit the specification of other e-book Lots (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7). Solutions might include those that are not specifically designed for the HE market, that deliver specialist content, or that offer alternative business models that don’t fit in another Lot. Suppliers bidding for this Lot may not bid for any other e-book Lot (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7).

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 20

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 8 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision

Lot No

9

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 22112000 - Textbooks
  • 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Various locations around the UK

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Where a member wishes to set up an approved supplier for individual staff or students to purchase hard copy or digital materials. Bursary provision may also be facilitated where operated on a credit basis and the supplier meets individual member requirements. In these cases, bursaries may include a wider scope of goods that support learning.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Customer Service Support / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Value For Money / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Innovation & Technical Merit / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 30

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: Yes

Identification of the project

There is potential for member framework spend to be financed by European Union funds. Therefore this opportunity will be advertised via both Find a Tender and the Official Journal of the European Union.

two.2.14) Additional information

It is intended that Lot 9 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

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

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2025/S 000-000133


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

1

Title

Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

9 July 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 2

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books

5 Redcliff Road

Melton

HU14 3RS

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

01607961

Internet address

www.brownsbfs.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EBSCO International Inc.

6th Floor Civic Centre, Silver Street

Enfield

EN1 3XA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

FC 16134

Internet address

www.ebsco.com

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £70,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

2

Title

Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 8

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 5

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 8

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Amalivre

58 rue du Dessous-des-Berges

Paris

75013

Country

France

NUTS code
  • FR - France
National registration number

323199190

Internet address

www.amalivre.fr

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Casalini Libri SpA

Via Benedetto da Maiano 3

Fiesole

50014

Country

Italy

NUTS code
  • IT - Italy
National registration number

309587

Internet address

www.casalini.it

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel BV

Veemarkt 207

Amsterdam

1019CJ

Country

Netherlands

NUTS code
  • NL - Netherlands
National registration number

33044879

Internet address

https://www.erasmusbooks.nl/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd

Blk 231 Bain Street, 03-05 Bras Basah Complex

Singapore

180231

Country

Singapore

NUTS code
  • SG - Singapore
National registration number

200722727R

Internet address

www.marymartin.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Otto Harrassowitz GmbH & Co. KG

Kreuzberger Ring 7c-d

Wiesbaden

65205

Country

Germany

NUTS code
  • DE - Germany
National registration number

HRA1056

Internet address

https://www.harrassowitz.de

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £10,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

3

Title

Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 7

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 5

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 1

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 6

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 7

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Amalivre

58 rue du Dessous-des-Berges

Paris

75013

Country

France

NUTS code
  • FR - France
National registration number

323199190

Internet address

www.amalivre.fr

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books

5 Redcliff Road

Melton

HU14 3RS

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

01607961

Internet address

www.brownsbfs.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EBSCO International Inc.

6th Floor Civic Centre, Silver Street

Enfield

EN1 3XA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

FC 16134

Internet address

www.ebsco.com

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Happier Every Chapter

1 Poyntz Gardens

Northampton

NN5 7RY

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

12905585

Internet address

https://www.happiereverychapter.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd

Blk 231, Bain Street 03-05, Bras Basah Complex

Singapore

180231

Country

Singapore

NUTS code
  • SG - Singapore
National registration number

200722727R

Internet address

www.marymartin.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Waterstones Booksellers Limited

203-206 Piccadilly

London

W1J 9HD

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

00610095

Internet address

www.blackwells.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £40,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

4

Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 6

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 4

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 6

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 6

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

BibliU Ltd

Ark Coworking, Carnegie Street

London

N1 9QW

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

09334024

Internet address

https://bibliu.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books

5 Redcliff Road

Melton

HU14 3RS

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

01607961

Internet address

www.brownsbfs.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EBSCO International Inc.

6th Floor Civic Centre, Silver Street

Enfield

EN1 3XA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

FC 16134

Internet address

www.ebsco.com

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Kortext Ltd

Avalon, 26-32 Oxford Road

Bournemouth

BH8 8EZ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

08617088

Internet address

www.kortext.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

VitalSource Technologies LLC

227 Fayetteville Street

Raleigh

NC 27601

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
National registration number

86-4000320

Internet address

https://get.vitalsource.com/intl

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £120,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

5

Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 4

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 4

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EBSCO International Inc.

6th Floor Civic Centre, Silver Street

Enfield

EN1 3XA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

FC 16134

Internet address

www.ebsco.com

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Mallory International Limited

The Common, Exmouth Road

Aylesbeare

EX5 2DG

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

02991148

Internet address

https://www.malloryint.net/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £40,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

6

Title

E-book aggregator: subscription packages

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 7

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 4

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 7

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 7

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

BibliU Ltd

Ark Coworking, Carnegie Street

London

N1 9QW

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

09334024

Internet address

https://bibliu.com/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EBSCO International Inc.

6th Floor Civic Centre, Silver Street

Enfield

EN1 3XA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

FC 16134

Internet address

www.ebsco.com

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Kortext Ltd

Avalon, 26-32 Oxford Road

Bournemouth

BH8 8EZ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

08617088

Internet address

www.kortext.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

ProQuest LLC

789 East Eisenhower Parkway,

Ann Arbor

MI 48108

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
National registration number

4264702

Internet address

https://about.proquest.com/

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

VitalSource Technologies LLC

227 Fayetteville Street

Raleigh

NC 27601

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
National registration number

86-4000320

Internet address

https://get.vitalsource.com/intl

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £20,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

7

Title

E-book aggregator: e-textbooks

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 5

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 4

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 5

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 5

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

BibliU Ltd

Ark Coworking, Carnegie Street

London

N1 9QW

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

09334024

Internet address

https://bibliu.com/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books

5 Redcliff Road

Melton

HU14 3RS

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

01607961

Internet address

www.brownsbfs.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Kortext Ltd

Avalon, 26-32 Oxford Road

Bournemouth

BH8 8EZ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

08617088

Internet address

www.kortext.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Mallory International Limited

The Common, Exmouth Road

Aylesbeare

EX5 2DG

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

02991148

Internet address

https://www.malloryint.net/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

VitalSource Technologies LLC

227 Fayetteville Street

Raleigh

NC 27601,

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
National registration number

86-4000320

Internet address

https://get.vitalsource.com/intl

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £120,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

8

Title

E-books: specialist and innovative solutions

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 7

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 3

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 7

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Amalivre

58 rue du Dessous-des-Berges

Paris

75013

Country

France

NUTS code
  • FR - France
National registration number

323199190

Internet address

www.amalivre.fr

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Cambridge University Press and Assessment

Shaftesbury Road

Cambridge

CB2 8EA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

823 84 7609

Internet address

www.cambridge.org

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Casalini Libri SpA

Via Benedetto da Maiano 3

Fiesole

50014

Country

Italy

NUTS code
  • IT - Italy
National registration number

IT03106600483

Internet address

www.casalini.it

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Digital Content Associates Ltd

36 Coleshill Road

Teddington

TW11 0LJ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

07260949

Internet address

www.digitalcontentassociates.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel BV

Veemarkt 207

Amsterdam

1019 CJ

Country

Netherlands

NUTS code
  • NL - Netherlands
National registration number

33044879

Internet address

https://www.erasmusbooks.nl/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Macmillan Learning

Hampshire International Business Park, Cromwell Place, Lime Tree Way

Basingstoke

RG24 8YJ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

GB220903643

Internet address

www.macmillanlearning.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Perlego Limited

26 Hatton Garden

London

EC1N 8BR

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

10155026

Internet address

www.perlego.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £20,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

9

Title

Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

2 June 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 8

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 8

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 8

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books

5 Redcliff Road

Melton

HU14 3RS

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

01607961

Internet address

www.brownsbfs.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Happier Every Chapter

1 Poyntz Gardens

Northampton

NN5 7RY

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

12905585

Internet address

https://happiereverychapter.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Kortext Ltd

Avalon, 26-32 Oxford Road

Bournemouth

BH8 8EZ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
National registration number

08617088

Internet address

www.kortext.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd

Blk 231, Bain Street 03-05, Bras Basah Complex

Singapore

180231

Country

Singapore

NUTS code
  • SG - Singapore
National registration number

200722727R

Internet address

www.marymartin.com

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

VitalSource Technologies LLC

227 Fayetteville Street

Raleigh

NC 27601,

Country

United States

NUTS code
  • US - United States
National registration number

86-4000320

Internet address

https://get.vitalsource.com/intl

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £10,000,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Southern Universities Management Services

Reading Enterprise Centre, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BU

Email

supc@sums.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 1182284020

Country

United Kingdom