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Provision of Print Books to the named Academic Partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands

University of the Highlands and Islands

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

05 Aug 2026 at 13:38

Award Notice
Tender

11 Jul 2025 at 09:42

Tender Notice
Planning

10 Feb 2025 at 08:40

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of the Highlands and Islands bought print books for its academic partners, covering English-language and UK non-English-language publications. The requirement is for library books and other printed books supplied to UHI Executive Office, UHI Inverness, UHI Moray, UHI North, West and Hebrides, and UHI Shetland. Delivery is across Scotland. APUC Limited acted as the central purchasing body for the procurement, with the participating UHI organisations entering into the joint arrangement. The wider framework scope also refers to alternative formats such as CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray discs, maps, posters, music scores and kits, although this awarded call-off concerns print books. The opportunity is therefore relevant to academic, library and educational book suppliers able to serve several Scottish institutions.

This procurement has been awarded through a direct-award call-off under Lot 1 of the APUC Print Books & Standing Orders Framework. Browns Books was selected as supplier, with one bid recorded, and the contract was signed on 16 July 2026. The contract value is £160,000. The underlying Lot 1 estimate was £4.3 million, with an initial contract period from 20 October 2025 to 19 October 2027 and a possible two further 12-month extensions subject to performance and continuing requirements. The original competition used an open procedure for a framework with up to nine participants. Evaluation was split equally between quality and price. Tender submissions closed on 14 August 2025 at noon. Lot 1 is recorded as cancelled, while the award and contract are active.

This award shows demand from a group of higher- and further-education institutions for reliable supply of English-language and UK non-English-language print books across Scotland. A credible competitor would need established academic or library-book distribution, dependable sourcing of UK publications, and the capacity to deliver consistently to multiple institutional customers. The procurement required evidence of £5 million employers’ liability insurance and £5 million product and public liability insurance for Lot 1, together with two years of audited accounts or an equivalent. Suppliers also need to support electronic ordering and payment processes, provide quarterly management information within 10 working days of each quarter, and submit nil-spend returns where applicable. These requirements favour organised suppliers with robust reporting, fulfilment and account-management systems.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Print Books to the named Academic Partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands

Notice Description

Provision of Print Books (English language and UK non-English language publications).

Lot Information

English language and UK non-English language publications

The following Academic Partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands have entered into a joint contract for the Provision of Print Books: - UHI Executive Office - UHI Inverness - UHI Moray - UHI North, West and Hebrides - UHI Shetland The scope of Print Books shall be limited to that of English language and UK non-English language publications.

Options: The scope of the framework agreement will also cover alternative formats, including but not limited to CD, DVD/Blu Ray, Maps, Posters, Music Scores and Kits.

Renewal: The Framework Agreement will commence on the 20.10.2025 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 19.10.2027. The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the members of APUC and SCURL.

International language publications

For the appointment of up to 6 contractors for the supply and delivery of International language academic content in print format. This exercise is being undertaken on behalf of the HE/FE Institutions in Scotland and the members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), including the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. Parties eligible to use the Framework Agreement are as listed in Appendix E -- List of Institutions. Members of APUC - http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/. Members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL) https://www.scurl.ac.uk/members. Members of Scotland Excel - http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk/.

Options: The scope of the framework agreement will also cover alternative formats, including but not limited to CD, DVD/Blu Ray, Maps, Posters, Music Scores and Kits.

Renewal: The Framework Agreement will commence on the 20.10.2025 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 19.10.2027. The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the members of APUC and SCURL.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04dd10
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074214-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

CPV Codes

22110000 - Printed books

22112000 - Textbooks

22113000 - Library books

22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

22114100 - Dictionaries

22114200 - Atlases

22114300 - Maps

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£160,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
26 May 2025Expired
Award Date
16 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
20 Oct 2025 - 19 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
February 2029

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of the Highlands and Islands
Additional Buyers

APUC Limited

Inverness College UHI (Also known as UHI Inverness)

UHI Moray

UHI North West & Hebrides

UHI Shetland

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

Buyer Location

Locality
ELGIN
Postcode
IV2 3JH
Postcode Area
Inverness
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness Millburn
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Browns Books

Further Information

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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