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26-27 Library Books - Perpetual Access

UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Oct 2026 at 15:41

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Wolverhampton Enterprise Limited buys academic library books and digital publications for enrolled students and academic staff, supporting teaching, independent study and research. The requirement covers title-by-title purchases of digital publications with perpetual access rights under licence agreements with approved publishers and content providers. This gives the university continuing access to core academic and research materials without recurring subscription payments, supporting long-term collection development. The goods are for the university’s provision in Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands. The procurement is for library books (CPV 22113000), with associated library services also classified.

The procurement has been awarded through a direct award following desktop evaluation under the SUPC Books, e-Book and Associated Services framework. A combined award of £190,000 was made to A.T Little & Sons Limited (Browns Books), EBSCO International Inc. and Kortext Limited on 12 August 2026. The contract runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2030, on a two-year term with two optional one-year extensions. The original tender deadline was 31 July 2026. The process was divided into no published lots. The stated suitability indicates that small and medium-sized enterprises may participate; the award followed the framework route and desktop evaluation.

This award shows demand from the University of Wolverhampton for the acquisition of academic digital publications with perpetual access rights, rather than recurring subscriptions. The requirement favoured suppliers able to source title-by-title content from reputable authors and publishers, arrange licences with approved publishers and content providers, and secure continuing access to materials supporting the university’s curriculum, independent study and research. Three suppliers received the award, including two SMEs and one large supplier, demonstrating that more than one provider can serve the requirement and that SME suppliers have competed successfully. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need established publisher and content-provider relationships, suitable digital book supply and licensing capability, and the capacity to support a multi-year university collection.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

26-27 Library Books - Perpetual Access

Notice Description

Library Books contracts form a core component of the University's provision of teaching, learning and research resources. They enable the University to supply enrolled students and academic staff with access to published content that supports curriculum delivery, independent study and academic research, ensuring sources are obtained from reputable authors and publishers. Perpetual Access covers the acquisition of title-by-title perpetual access rights to digital publications under licence agreements with approved publishers and content providers. These purchases provide the University with ongoing access to academic and research materials without the need for recurring subscription payments, supporting long-term collection development and ensuring continued availability of core teaching and research resources. Direct Award following a desktop evaluation through the SUPC framework for Books, e-Book and Associated Services (LIB4061 SU). Term: 2 Years, plus optional 24 month extension (2+1+1). Contract Award is retrospective to the Contract start date

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ed47ef44-ab67-404e-8e57-229b1b085bdd
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

22113000 - Library books

92511000 - Library services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£190,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£190,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2030 4-5 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 WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WOLVERHAMPTON
Postcode
WV1 1LY
Postcode Area
Wolverhampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG39 Wolverhampton
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Wolverhampton
Electoral Ward
St Peters
Westminster Constituency
Wolverhampton West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

A T Little & Sons Ltd

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL INC.

KORTEXT LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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