Contract notice

Information

Published

Expire date: 21/02/2025

External Reference: 2025-561620

FTS Reference: 2025-000133

Contract notice

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)

Name and addresses

Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)
111357
Reading Enterprise Centre, The University of Reading, Whiteknights Road, Earley Gate
Reading
RG6 6BU
UK
Contact person: Gavin Phillips
Telephone: +44 1182284020
NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es):
I.3)

Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at:  
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=87046&B=SUPC
Additional information can be obtained from
the abovementioned address:  
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
to the abovementioned address
I.4)

Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law
I.5)

Main activity

Education

Section II: Object

II.1)

Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)

Title

Books, e-books and associated services
Reference number:  LIB4061 SU
II.1.2)

Main CPV code

22113000  -  Library books
II.1.3)

Type of contract

Supplies
II.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.
II.1.5)

Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 450000000.00  GBP
II.1.6)

Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: yes
Tenders may be submitted for  maximum number of lots: 7
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:  
Bidders may bid for any combination of Lots with the following exceptions:
• Bidders must not bid for both Lot 1 and Lot 2.
• Bidders for Lot 8 must not bid for any of Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• In the event that a Bidder submits Bids that do not comply with these exceptions, the Authority will raise a clarification to determine which Lot(s) will be evaluated and which will be discarded.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock
Lot No:  1
II.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
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 70000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 1 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock
Lot No:  2
II.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
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 10000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

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

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)
Lot No:  3
II.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
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 40000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 3 will be awarded to a maximum of 8 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase
Lot No:  4
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

22113000  -  Library books
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 120000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 4 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform
Lot No:  5
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

22113000  -  Library books
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 40000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 5 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

E-book aggregator: subscription packages
Lot No:  6
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

22113000  -  Library books
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 20000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 6 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

E-book aggregator: e-textbooks
Lot No:  7
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

22113000  -  Library books
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

E-textbook access via an aggregator e-textbook platform. Title selections may be bespoke or pre-defined packages.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 120000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 7 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

E-books: specialist and innovative solutions
Lot No:  8
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

22113000  -  Library books
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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).
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 20000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

It is intended that Lot 8 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision
Lot No:  9
II.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
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance:  
Various locations around the UK
II.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.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 10000000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.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.
II.2.14)

Additional information

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

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)

Conditions for participation

III.1.2)

Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3)

Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2)

Conditions related to the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Description

IV.1.1)

Type of procedure

Open procedure
IV.1.3)

Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement:  30
IV.1.8)

Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement : yes
IV.2)

Administrative information

IV.2.1)

Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the FTS: 2024/S 000-024901
IV.2.2)

Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date:  21/02/2025
Local time:  12:00
IV.2.4)

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English
IV.2.7)

Conditions for opening of tenders

Date:  21/02/2025
Local time:  12:00

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1)

Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement:  no
VI.2)

Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.4)

Procedures for review

VI.4.1)

Review body

Southern Universities Management Services
Reading Enterprise Centre, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road
Reading
RG6 6BU
UK
Telephone: +44 1182284020