Planning

Large Print and Spoken Word for Libraries

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Jan 2026 at 14:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Large Print and Spoken Word for Libraries," under the goods industry category. The process aims to support library services by procuring large print books and spoken word CDs, enhancing accessibility for users with visual impairments or preferences for audio formats. Located in the UK, the council serves around 1.5 million residents through various library services. The current contracts are set to expire on 30th June 2026, with the new contract period anticipated to start on 1st July 2026. Interested parties can engage with this process, which is not yet a competitive tender but an opportunity for market engagement, by completing a form through the provided link. The preliminary market engagement notice was published on 13th January 2026, and the last date for participating in the engagement exercise is 23rd January 2026.

This procurement opportunity presents potential growth for businesses involved in book publishing and audio production, particularly those specialising in accessible formats. Companies that offer durable library materials with necessary features like RFID tagging and robust cases, or provide comprehensive online catalogue services, can greatly benefit from participating. The notice demonstrates openness to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to showcase their capabilities in creating value for public library services. The engagement phase is crucial for businesses to establish an understanding with Essex County Council and position themselves for subsequent competition stages when the contract notice is formally published.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Large Print and Spoken Word for Libraries

Notice Description

Essex County Council has a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. Essex Libraries serve a population of approximately 1.5 million through 74 library buildings, an eLibrary, mobile libraries, and community services. With 250,000 active users and over 5.5 million visits annually, we aim to ensure inclusive access to reading and listening materials. Scope of Procurement We intend to procure Large Print Books and Spoken Word on CDs to support accessibility and engagement for users with visual impairments or those who prefer audio formats. Our current contracts expire on 30th June 2026. Large Print Books Must meet RNIB standards (minimum 16-point font size). Durable for library lending, with reinforced covers and RFID tagging. Supplier must provide an accessible online catalogue with search and filtering options, images, descriptions, and MARC records. Ordering will be via Standing Order Plans and one-off purchases, using EDI for quotes, orders, and invoicing. Spoken Word on CDs Audio recordings of books on standard CDs, playable on conventional CD players. Robust cases suitable for library use, clear labelling, and RFID tagging. Online catalogue requirements similar to Large Print, including narrator details and physical specifications. Replacement options for damaged cases/discs during item lifetime. Delivery & Invoicing Central delivery to Witham, Essex. Monthly deliveries for standing orders; two-week turnaround for ad-hoc orders. EDI invoicing and compliance with ECC finance processes. To take part in the engagement exercise, please access our form here: https://forms.office.com/e/fVWvzLRYn9 It is important to note that this PIN is not a call for competition and as such you will need to express your interest in any future tender opportunity once the contract notice is published in Find a Tender and on Contracts Finder. It should also be noted that this notice invites individuals and organisations to express an interest in this exercise only, and it is NOT a pre-qualification questionnaire, and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process. This notice is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in any future tendering process nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who participate.

Planning Information

To engage, fill out the attached form: https://forms.office.com/e/fVWvzLRYn9

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002692-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

CPV Codes

22113000 - Library books

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Steve Bradley
Contact Email
steve.bradley@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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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