Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
APUC Limited
Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ
Contact
Lorona Watts
Telephone
+44 1314428950
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM77 - Perth & Kinross and Stirling
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
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
Periodicals and Associated Services
Reference number
LIB1022 AP
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 22200000 - Newspapers, journals, periodicals and magazines
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The Authority undertook a procurement exercise to appoint a Subscription Agent to supply to manage the supply and delivery of periodicals and the associated services.
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: £36,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 22211000 - Journals
- 22210000 - Newspapers
- 22212000 - Periodicals
- 22212100 - Serials
- 22213000 - Magazines
- 22211100 - Official journals
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
Scotland and Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority undertook a procurement exercise to appoint a Subscription Agent to supply to manage the supply and delivery of periodicals and the associated services.
Periodical are defined as any domestic or foreign publication supplied in a print or electronic format.
The publication may take various formats, such as a magazine, newspaper, or journal to name a few examples, and may be issued in successive parts, at regular intervals and may continue indefinitely.
The appointed agent will be required to provide the service to:
* HE/FE institutions in Scotland
* HE institutions of Northern Ireland
* The members of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries(SCURL)
* The Scottish Government
* NHS Education Scotland (SHEDL deals only) acting on behalf of The Knowledge Network.
Parties eligible to use the Framework Agreement are as listed in Appendix E — List of Institutions. Members of APUC - http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60
Cost criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 40
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
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: 2024/S 000-017350
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
LIB1022 AP
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
28 February 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
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: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
EBSCO INTERNATIONAL INC
6th Floor, Civic Centre, Silver Street
Enfield, London
EN1 3XA
Telephone
+44 2084474188
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £36,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Form of Tender - Tenderers were required to sign Appendix A – Form of Tender prior to award to confirm that their Tender Response is a complete, true and accurate submission.
Freedom of Information - Where applicable Tenderers were required to complete Appendix B – Freedom of Information
Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct - The Authority has developed Appendix D which sets out its expected standards for its supply chain in social, ethical and environmental compliance. Tenderers were required to sign Appendix D – Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct prior to award to confirm their commitment to assisting the Authority in achieving its objectives.
General Data Protection Regulation - Tenderers were required to sign Appendix G – GDPR Contractor Assessment Form
SCM RP Section 1 - Tenderers were required to confirm that they will commit to completing Appendix J - SCM RP Section 1 on award and review on an annual basis. It is for information only and will not be scored but is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the contractual terms.
Prompt Payment - Tenderers were required to confirm that payment of subcontractors at all stages of the supply chain will be made within a maximum of 30 days and that this will be managed.
Living Wage Status - Tenderers were required to provide details on their position on the payment of the Real Living Wage.
(SC Ref:803065)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Stirling Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House, Viewfield Place Stirling Country
Stirling
FK8 1NH
Telephone
+44 1786462191
Fax
+44 1786470456
Country
United Kingdom