Tender

002713 British Library Conservation, Bindery & Enclosures Framework

BRITISH LIBRARY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Jan 2026 at 12:05

Summary of the contracting process

The British Library has initiated an open procurement process for the "002713 British Library Conservation, Bindery & Enclosures Framework", which aims to establish a comprehensive framework for high-quality conservation and binding services. This tender, currently in the tender stage, is significant for the public authority within the central government and is categorised under bookbinding and finishing services. The framework is divided into three Lots—Conservation of volumes, Rebinding and binding of unbound materials, and Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections—all centred in the UK. This contract will run initially for one year starting from 1 April 2026, with the potential for three subsequent 12-month renewals, cumulating in a possible duration of four years. The end date for the tender submission is 2 February 2026, with enquiries accepted until 23 January 2026.

This procurement opportunity is an excellent prospect for businesses looking to expand, particularly those specialising in book conservation, binding, or related services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) stand to benefit significantly, given the framework’s division into three lots, allowing firms to apply for one or more sections based on their expertise. High emphasis is placed on quality, offering a robust avenue for companies that can deliver premium conservation and binding solutions while adhering to rigorous standards. With a total procurement value of £2,160,000, this tender represents a substantial contract opportunity for capable and responsive suppliers ready to engage in long-term partnerships with the British Library.

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Notice Title

002713 British Library Conservation, Bindery & Enclosures Framework

Notice Description

The British Library is seeking to establish a framework arrangement with suppliers who can demonstrate their capability in providing high quality conservation and binding services to Library collections. The framework is divided into 3 Lots, and the British Library anticipates appointing between 1 and 6 suppliers per Lot. This tender is divided by 'Lots' based on types of treatment, and tenderers are invited to bid for any combination of Lots, which fall broadly into the three following categories: 1.Lot 1 - Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation 2.Lot 2 - Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering 3.Lot 3 - Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Bookbinding-and-finishing-services./78G8645358 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/78G8645358

Lot Information

Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation

Please download and refer to the ITT for full description of the Lots. This lot includes the following treatments: -Dry cleaning -Aqueous treatment (flattening only) -Guarding, tipping in -Substrate repair, consolidation and lining -Hand sewing -Machine sewing -Covering material repair, consolidation oLeather oParchment/vellum oBuckram/book cloth oPaper -Reback (tight and hollow), board reattachment, recreating/replacing covers oLeather oParchment/vellum oBuckram/book cloth oPaper -Lettering -Pressure-sensitive tape/label removal -Staple removal -Slipping bolts -Insert original covers into a new binding -Re-casing of textblock in original covers

Renewal: The duration of the framework arrangement will be an initial period of 12 months commencing on the 1 April 2026 with a further three optional 12-month extensions thereafter. The total maximum duration of the framework arrangement will therefore be four years from 1 April 2026.

Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering

Download and review Tender documents for full details. Lot 2: Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering This lot includes the following treatments: -Hand sewing -Machine sewing -Rebinding in the following styles oPamphlet oCase oSplit-board -New bindings for previously unbound material in the following styles: oPamphlet oCase oSplit-board oGuard-book oPost-binder oQuarter-flush cloth -Lettering -Insert original covers into a new binding

Renewal: The duration of the framework arrangement will be an initial period of 12 months commencing on the 1 April 2026 with a further three optional 12-month extensions thereafter. The total maximum duration of the framework arrangement will therefore be four years from 1 April 2026.

Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering

Download and review Tender Document for full details. Lot 3: Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering This lot includes the following: -Drop-back boxes, made of permanent board, put together with EVA and covered in permanent buckram with permanent paper tray linings -Four-flap folders, made of permanent board, put together with EVA and covered in permanent buckram with permanent paper linings -Lettering

Renewal: The duration of the framework arrangement will be an initial period of 12 months commencing on the 1 April 2026 with a further three optional 12-month extensions thereafter. The total maximum duration of the framework arrangement will therefore be four years from 1 April 2026.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0600dd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001016-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79971000 - Bookbinding and finishing services

79971200 - Bookbinding services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BRITISH LIBRARY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@bl.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
NW1 2DB
Post Town
North West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI36 Camden
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Camden
Electoral Ward
St Pancras & Somers Town
Westminster Constituency
Holborn and St Pancras

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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