Award

Award Notice for Books, E-books E-textbooks, and Associated Services

UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Dec 2025 at 14:40

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Chester has completed the award process for a contract relating to "Books, E-books, E-textbooks, and Associated Services" under two separate lots. The award notice, dated 24th December 2025, details a direct award to EBSCO International Ltd for Lot 4 and Browns Books (A.T. Little & Sons Limited) for Lot 1. This contract, valued at £360,000, falls within the industry category of Textbooks with additional classification in Electronic information services. The procurement process was conducted selectively through a call-off from a framework agreement. The contract commences on 4th January 2026 and concludes on 3rd January 2030, covering the North West region of England.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in publishing or digital content aggregation, given its focus on both print and electronic formats. SMEs and VCSEs are suitable to participate given the framework's suitability criteria. Businesses that can offer competitive services in the provision and management of library stock and E-book aggregation will find this contract appealing, especially those capable of delivering tailored solutions to academic institutions. This procurement not only promises direct engagement with a major educational entity but also encourages growth through long-term collaboration within the educational services sector.

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Notice Title

Award Notice for Books, E-books E-textbooks, and Associated Services

Notice Description

This Award Notice follows the University of Chester placing a direct award with EBSCO International Ltd under Lot 1: Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock and EBSCO International Ltd and Browns Books (A.T. Little & Sons Limited) under Lot 4: E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase of the Books, E-books, E-textbooks, and Associated Services framework agreement. The University can access this agreement as a member of NWUPC. In line with the guidance provided by SUPC this direct award is made under the framework Terms and Conditions. All values in this award notice have been rounded up and the contract end date includes the optional extension periods.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-752306ca-f01e-490e-9385-99b9bb89aedf
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bcb5e861-0823-444a-aed5-a077a11acbcd
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

64 - Postal and telecommunications services


CPV Codes

22112000 - Textbooks

64216200 - Electronic information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
4 Jan 2026 - 3 Jan 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHESTER
Postcode
CH1 4BJ
Post Town
Chester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)

Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Westminster Constituency
Chester North and Neston

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

BROWNS BOOKS (A.T. LITTLE & SONS

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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