Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Supply of large print and talking books

Cumberland Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Oct 2025 at 17:44

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

31 Mar 2025 at 15:02

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The recent procurement process, managed by Cumberland Council, involves the direct award of a contract for the supply of large print and talking books for the libraries in Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness. Categorized under the goods sector with a focus on printed matter, the procurement concerns delivery to the UKD1 region with contract awards finalized on 26 August 2025. The procurement method used was a direct award due to the unique intellectual property rights held by suppliers Ulverscroft Limited and Bolinda UK Ltd. Notable dates include the planned contract period from 16 October 2025 to 31 March 2028, with a future signature milestone set for 15 October 2025. The process is currently in the award phase, with a standstill period ending on 14 October 2025.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the supply of printed and digital book formats, particularly those that specialize in accessible media such as large print and talking books. The direct award method highlights the importance of networking and establishing unique offerings that differentiate suppliers in a competitive landscape. Given that Ulverscroft Limited and Bolinda UK Ltd were successful in securing contracts due to their exclusive titles, businesses with proprietary or niche offerings may find similar prospects advantageous in future tenders. Overall, organisations capable of producing unique or proprietary content would be well-suited to compete in similar procurement processes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of large print and talking books

Notice Description

Supply of large print and talking books stock on behalf of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Libraries Please note - the start date of the contract as specified in this notice is in order to be able to publish the notice but the actual start date of the contract is to be as of 1 April 2025.

Procurement Information

Each supplier publishes a unique set of titles that cannot be acquired from the other or from elsewhere.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fabd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062331-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

CPV Codes

22000000 - Printed matter and related products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£435,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Mar 20251 years ago
Contract Period
16 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cumberland Council
Additional Buyers

Westmorland and Furness Council

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

Buyer Location

Locality
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA1 1RD
Postcode Area
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

BOLINDA UK LTD

ULVERSCROFT LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

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.

Loading OCDS record...