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Framework for Large Print and Spoken Word Books

Essex County Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

07 Sep 2026 at 13:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

13 Jan 2026 at 14:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is seeking suppliers for a closed, multi-supplier framework covering library books for use across Essex Libraries. It is divided into two lots: large print books and spoken-word books on CDs. Large print stock must use 16–18 point text; spoken-word books must be recorded on CD in a format playable on standard CD players. Both lots require durable, library-ready materials suitable for public lending, including RFID tagging, barcoding, labelling and accurate MARC bibliographic records supplied through Bibliographic Data Services. Suppliers will support an online catalogue, standing-order plans, ad-hoc purchasing and electronic ordering, including EDI. Deliveries will be made to a central distribution location in Essex. The main category is goods, with associated library-book supply services.

The procurement has reached tender: Essex County Council invited offers through an open procedure. Clarification questions were due by 16 September 2026 at 16:00, and tender submissions were due by 2 October 2026 at 14:00. The intended award decision date was 16 October 2026. The framework contract period is 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030. Lot 1, large print books, has an estimated gross value of £216,000; Lot 2, spoken-word books on CDs, has an estimated value of £96,000 gross. The combined estimated procurement value is £312,000 gross, including £260,000 excluding tax. Each lot is evaluated on technical quality at 30%, cost at 60% and social value at 10%. Ordering may be through standing orders or individual call-offs, with price comparison for identical publications where applicable.

This opportunity suits specialist library suppliers, accessible-format book distributors, audiobook providers and businesses able to deliver processed, public-lending stock at scale. Lot 1 requires a reliable supply of large print titles meeting recognised accessibility standards, with durable finishes and clear spine and cover labelling. Lot 2 requires spoken-word recordings on CD, supplied in durable, clearly labelled cases with appropriate audio quality. Both lots demand library processing, including RFID tagging, barcoding, labelling and accurate MARC records through Bibliographic Data Services. Suppliers should be able to maintain an online catalogue, handle EDI and other electronic orders, manage standing orders and ad-hoc purchases, and provide dependable delivery, replacement, invoicing, management information, business continuity and performance monitoring. The lots are identified as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework for Large Print and Spoken Word Books

Notice Description

Essex County Council (ECC) are seeking to establish a multi-Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of Large Print Books and Spoken Word Books on CDs for use across Essex Libraries. This will divided into two (2) Lots: Lot 1: Large Print Books Lot 2: Spoken Word Books on CDs Large Print Books are defined as 16-18 point size, and Spoken Word Books on CDs are defined as a book that has been read and recorded onto one or more CDs in a format playable by standard CD players. Suppliers will be required to provide durable, library-ready materials suitable for public lending, including RFID tagging, barcoding, labelling and the provision of accurate MARC bibliographic records. Ordering will be undertaken through electronic processes, including EDI, supported by an online catalogue enabling standing order plans and ad-hoc purchases. Deliveries will be made to a central distribution location. To access the tender, please register on our procurement portal, Open

Lot Information

Large Print Books

Lot 1 covers the supply of Large Print Books for use across Essex Libraries. The Supplier will be required to provide Large Print Books that meet recognised accessibility standards and are suitable for public lending, including durable finishes and clear spine and cover labelling. Items must be supplied as library-ready stock, including RFID tagging, barcoding, labelling and other physical processing requirements as specified by the Authority. The Supplier must provide accurate MARC bibliographic records via Bibliographic Data Services (BDS), maintain an online catalogue to support standing order plans and ad-hoc ordering, and participate in electronic ordering processes including EDI. Deliveries will be made to a central library distribution address. The Lot includes defined obligations relating to data quality, delivery timescales, invoicing, management information, business continuity, and ongoing performance monitoring. No guarantee of volume or value is provided under this Lot.

Spoken Words Books on CDs

Lot 2 covers the supply of Spoken Word Books on CD for use across Essex Libraries. The Supplier will be required to provide audiobooks on CD supplied in cases suitable for public lending, with clear labelling and durable construction. Spoken Word recordings must be of appropriate audio quality and supplied as library-ready stock, including barcoding, labelling and other physical processing requirements as specified by the Authority. The Supplier must provide accurate MARC bibliographic records via Bibliographic Data Services (BDS), maintain an online catalogue to support standing order plans and ad-hoc ordering, and support electronic ordering processes including EDI. Deliveries will be made to a central library distribution address. The Lot includes requirements covering data quality, replacement of damaged items, delivery timescales, invoicing, management information, business continuity, and performance monitoring. No guarantee of volume or value is provided under this Lot.

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/084426-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
£260,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£312,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
2 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Essex 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
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Postcode Area
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
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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