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002150 - Library Management System (LMS)

Durham County Council

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

04 Jun 2026 at 09:24

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

11 May 2026 at 12:44

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

25 Mar 2026 at 15:19

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

20 Feb 2026 at 09:24

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

04 Nov 2025 at 11:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 16:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council has successfully concluded a procurement process to update its Library Management System (LMS), awarding a contract to Civica UK Limited. This project is essential for replacing an outdated LMS that serves 39 public libraries, prisons, and a Schools Library Service. The contract, valued at £450,000, involves delivering a modern, scalable system that supports digital transformation and user experience improvement, complying with current standards. Initiated through an open procedure, the process reached the award stage on 4th June 2026. The contract period begins on 5th June 2026 and includes a potential extension following a five-year term.

This procurement presents substantial business growth opportunities for companies specialising in bespoke and scalable software solutions, especially those oriented towards the library and educational services sector. Companies that can offer additional services to complement the LMS, such as digital transformation support, are well-poised to benefit from similar tenders. The awarded contract to Civica UK Limited, a large-scale supplier, highlights the competitiveness and demand for well-integrated library management solutions within public institutions, thereby paving the way for businesses that can meet quality and compliance requirements to thrive in this sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

002150 - Library Management System (LMS)

Notice Description

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing Library Management System (LMS) used by Durham County Council Library Services, including 39 public libraries, prisons, and a Schools Library Service. The current LMS, developed in house, is outdated and no longer meets the operational and strategic needs of the service. This project will deliver a modern, scalable LMS that enhances operational efficiency, improves user experience, supports digital transformation goals, and complies with current compliance standards.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract period is for an initial 5-year period, with the option to extend for a further 5 years subject to satisfactory performance, service continuity, and the Council's future requirements. The anticipated go-live date for the new system is 1st February 2027, following a 9-month period of mobilisation and implementation, which will commence on 1st May 2026.

Planning Information

Durham County Council is continuing its engagement with the market following the initial soft market testing questionnaire issued in August 2024 under reference DN735615 via the NEPO portal, concerning the provision of a new Library Management System. System demonstrations held in November and December 2024 have supported the Council's specification development and strategic planning. While there have been some delays, the project is now progressing at pace. The Council is seeking further preliminary engagement from suppliers to explore potential additional services that could be incorporated into any future tendering opportunity. While the Council's previous engagements have confirmed that the majority of requirements for School Library Services can be met by standard off-the-shelf Library Management Systems without the need for bespoke development, there remain a number of specific requirements that have not yet been fully explored. The Council is therefore undertaking a deeper review focused on these areas to determine whether they can be fulfilled through existing system capabilities, general configuration, or integration with third-party solutions. This further engagement will help inform the most appropriate route forward for any future procurement activity. The written response questionnaire can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at open-uk.org. Responses must be submitted through the Open Portal by Friday 7th November at 10am.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d69e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052580-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

48160000 - Library software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
7 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
11 May 20263 months ago
Contract Period
5 Jun 2026 - 31 May 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Durham County 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
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CIVICA UK LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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