Tender

Printed Book Production/CFP/PRO/2026

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

10 Mar 2026 at 19:49

Planning

28 Jan 2026 at 16:53

Summary of the contracting process

The Open University is seeking to establish a closed framework for the supply of printed book production services, including paper supply, printing, finishing, and binding educational materials for delivery to their warehouse in Milton Keynes, UK. This procurement falls under the 'tender' stage, initiated on 10 March 2026, with critical deadlines including an expression of interest deadline on 7 April 2026. The procurement is categorised under goods, with a substantial contract value of £6.5 million. The Competitive Flexible Procedure is being utilised, with a planned award to two suppliers for an initial two-year period, potentially extending up to four years. Companies interested in participating should complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire as the first stage of this selective tender process, leading potentially to the tender stage followed by commercial negotiation.

The opportunities presented by this tender are significant for businesses specialising in printed book production. With an annual production volume across diverse publication formats, businesses with capabilities in technical specifications, price, operational requirements, and performance stand to benefit. The Open University will place call-off orders based on agreed pricing schedules and supplier capacity, offering stable work flow to the successful bidders. Businesses with strong quality assurance protocols, sustainability practices, and customer service capabilities, paired with competitive pricing strategies, would be well-positioned to navigate this selective procurement process and expand their reach in the educational material production sector.

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Notice Title

Printed Book Production/CFP/PRO/2026

Notice Description

The Open University is commencing a competitive procurement, via a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) to establish a closed framework for the supply of printed book production (to include paper supply, printing, finishing and binding) of educational materials for delivery into the The Open University's warehouse. The framework will support the production of printed learning materials for The Open University's students, with annual production volumes across a range of publication formats. The framework will be awarded for an initial period of two (2) years, with the option to extend by up to two further twelve (12)-month periods, to a maximum duration of four (4) years. Interested companies are invited to complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire in Stage 1 of the process. Following evaluation, the five (5) highest scoring suppliers will be invited to participate in the tender stage, Stage 2. At the conclusion of the procurement, the two (2) highest scoring suppliers will be appointed to the closed framework.

Planning Information

The Open University is currently preparing to initiate a procurement activity for a dual supplier framework for it’s Printed Book Production requirements for student course module materials. We wish to engage the market to establish the level of market interest and to gather information that will be beneficial in the tendering process. Suppliers who wish to participate in the market engagement exercise should complete the preliminary market engagement questionnaire by no later than the 12th February 2026. Participation or non-participation in this pre-procurement market engagement shall not prevent any supplier from participating in a potential procurement process in the future. Link to Preliminary Market Questionnaire, via the OU’s procurement portal:- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061152
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021564-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products


CPV Codes

22110000 - Printed books

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
31 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
3 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Oct 2026 - 4 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
TLJ12 Milton Keynes

Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

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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