Award

Journal Subscriptions Service

FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

06 Jan 2021 at 13:10

Award Notice
Tender

18 Aug 2020 at 11:14

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is seeking a journals subscription agent to provide services for both online and print journal subscriptions, as part of a tender process now in the award stage. This requirement arises as a replacement for an existing contract set to expire on 30 November 2020. The tender was published on 18 August 2020 and the initial tender period ended on 17 September 2020. The total contract value is £680,000 and covers the delivery of services primarily in London, England. The procurement method is open and follows an open procedure due to its value exceeding the established threshold.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in journal subscription services, particularly those that can offer efficient management of online platforms for subscription account management. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to apply, as the FCDO places a premium on added value, such as access to a dedicated account management team to ensure responsive service delivery. Suppliers should also be adaptable, as the FCDO has highlighted the need for flexibility in meeting varying subscription requirements and managing corporate access across multiple locations, both in the UK and overseas.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Journal Subscriptions Service

Notice Description

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office requires a journals subscription agent to service multiple subscriptions to online and print journals. This is required to replace an existing contract set to expire on 30 November 2020. Journal licenses are required both for corporate access by staff across the whole office department, but also for use by departments, teams or individuals. Access licenses should be primarily online, but using print where appropriate. Billing mechanisms will be both to a central point and also by separate departmental customers where appropriate. The service is expected to deliver efficiencies by dealing with a single point of delivery as opposed to multiple publishers. FCDO requires access to an online platform for subscription account management and management information as an integral part of the service. The Supplier is required to accurately process subscription orders quickly and where necessary in response to deadlines agreed with FCDO. The Supplier will also need to have a flexible approach, managing a variety of license terms and subscription periods and dates, especially whilst FCDO continues its transition to a unified department over the term of the contract. Access should be to the full text of journals. FCDO is currently considering its position on open access and therefore subscription requirements may change over time. FCDO places a premium on added value to the service through access to a dedicated account management team, who will be capable of advising FCDO on the best license models for a given title, securing value for money and offering current awareness of new publications, including setting up trial subscriptions. The Supplier is expected to work collaboratively with FCDO in building an effective relationship built on a strong understanding of the FCDO's business. The account management team will be responsive to our service requests, capable of quickly resolving problems and act proactively as our agent to deliver the most appropriate and cost-effective subscription models in accordance with our stated needs. FCDO currently uses IP Authentication for corporate access to journals, although this may be subject to change over the life of the contract. FCDO will look to engage with the Supplier to identify other methods of online access to corporate subscriptions, and the Supplier will be expected to engage in a flexible and collaborative way to ensure successful outcomes. FCDO staff work in mobile and flexible ways, frequently on the move and in remote locations using mobile technology. The FCDO works as "One HMG Abroad" and works in close cooperation with other UK government departments including through joint operational units. The service will need to be supplied to staff with an FCDO email address both in the UK and overseas.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-16833df1-7699-423c-bbae-84f981159f79
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/62afdf06-59f8-4ff7-96cc-66b3c0381892
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64111000 - Postal services related to newspapers and periodicals

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£680,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£680,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jan 20215 years ago
Submission Deadline
16 Sep 2020Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Nov 20205 years ago
Contract Period
30 Nov 2020 - 29 Nov 2022 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Additional Buyers

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2AH
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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