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Award for E-textbooks using Lot 7: E-book aggregator: e-textbooks of Framework Agreement: Books, e-books and associated services Agreement Number: LIB4061 SU

UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 Aug 2026 at 16:59

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Chester procured e-textbooks and associated electronic information services through an e-book aggregator. The requirement covers textbook content in digital form for the University’s current teaching and learning needs, assessed against a sample basket of e-textbooks. Delivery is for the University in Chester and the wider North West region. The procurement is classified as textbook services, with electronic information services as an additional category. The University is the buyer and accessed the arrangement as a member of NWUPC. The work sits within the Books, e-books and associated services framework, specifically its e-book aggregator lot, and is a service requirement rather than a supply of printed books or construction work.

This procurement is complete and has been awarded following a selective call-off from a framework agreement. The University made a direct award under the framework terms after evaluating supplier quotations for a sample basket of e-textbooks. Quotations were compared by the LIS-Libraries team using the framework Desktop Calculator. The quotation deadline was 28 July 2026 at 10:00. Kortext Limited was awarded the contract on 29 July 2026 for approximately £420,000 including the stated requirements and optional extension period. The contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029. The published procurement value and award value are approximate because actual requirements may vary.

This requirement is relevant to digital textbook platforms, e-book aggregators, academic content distributors and suppliers able to provide electronic textbook access at university scale. A credible competitor would need a broad and current e-textbook catalogue, reliable digital delivery and the ability to support library procurement and student access. Experience supplying higher-education libraries would help, particularly where requirements are built around changing reading lists and sample baskets of titles. Suppliers should also be comfortable responding through a framework call-off, presenting comparable quotations and using structured pricing tools to support evaluation. The procurement records demand for a scalable e-textbook service that can serve a university’s ongoing teaching and learning needs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Award for E-textbooks using Lot 7: E-book aggregator: e-textbooks of Framework Agreement: Books, e-books and associated services Agreement Number: LIB4061 SU

Notice Description

This Award Notice follows University of Chester's evaluation of the quotations submitted by suppliers for a sample basket of e-textbooks, reflecting the University's current e-textbook requirements. The evaluation was undertaken by the LIS-Libraries team, using the framework Desktop Calculator to assess and compare the quotations received from all suppliers on Lot 7. 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 are approximate as actual requirements may vary and the contract end date includes the optional extension period.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-d615bf12-bc3a-48b9-9372-caccbc9a052d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c6b51499-8ac9-4578-894f-1c5702e76f2c
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

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
£420,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£420,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
28 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Jul 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 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
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
Postcode Area
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
1
Supplier Name

Kortext Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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