Provision of Electronic Academic Research Databases

UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Jun 2026 at 08:48

Award

29 May 2024 at 12:50

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Strathclyde has recently completed a contracting process for the provision of electronic academic research databases, specifically targeting library software packages. This contract was awarded on 3rd June 2026, with an estimated active period of four years. The procurement process was limited and conducted without prior publication of a call for competition, due to the unique intellectual property rights held by EBSCO International Inc. The University, located in Glasgow, Scotland (UKM82), is governed by public law in the education sector and has opted to finalise the contract with EBSCO International Inc as the sole supplier, given the specialised nature of the goods within the database services industry. The contract’s estimated value is £447,924.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for suppliers engaged in the library software and database services industry, particularly those that offer proprietary research content and library resource solutions. Businesses capable of delivering high-quality research platforms akin to EBSCO’s offerings could find new market opportunities in academia. Moreover, firms with the ability to assert exclusive rights or unique intellectual property may find similar procurement methods applied to future tenders if they can monopolise critical research or software capabilities. While the present contract concludes in 2026, continued engagement and innovation within this field may position businesses to be competitive participants in subsequent procurement exercises issued by educational institutions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of Electronic Academic Research Databases

Notice Description

This Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency (VEAT) relates to a supply contract for the Provision of Electronic Academic Research Databases.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This contract shall be entered into with EBSCO International Inc for the Provision of electronic academic research databases including CINAHL, Business Source Ultimate, Communication and Entrepreneurial Studies Source.

Procurement Information

A Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice (VEAT) was raised on 29/05/2024. It provided third parties with the opportunity to raise their objection to this contract being awarded without competition. No objection was received which allows the University to determine that the appropriate route to market for this requirement is an award without competition in accordance with the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016, Regulation 6 - Circumstances in which a contract can be awarded without competition - (1) A contracting authority may award a public contract without seeking offers in relation to the proposed contract - b) where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator for any of the following reasons - (iii) the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-046c0b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052161-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

22120000 - Publications

48160000 - Library software package

48611000 - Database software package

72320000 - Database services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£447,924 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Apr 20242 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G1 1XQ
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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