Award

Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) License 2026-2027

FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

30 Mar 2026 at 13:03

Award

19 Mar 2026 at 12:48

Summary of the contracting process

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), a central government public authority located in London, has completed the procurement process for the annual Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) License for 2026-2027. This direct award contract, valued at £215,049.60, covers the use of copyrighted content by the NLA in FCDO's media monitoring services for the financial year starting 13th April 2026 and concluding on 31st March 2027. The procurement, classified under library management and newspaper services, falls within the services category. The contract specifically utilises the direct procurement method due to the exclusive rights held by NLA Media Access, and the award is scheduled to be signed by 13th April 2026.

This tender presents a unique business growth opportunity in the form of a sole-source contract, desirable for organisations with exclusive rights to issue licenses for media content in the UK. The procurement of NLA services is crucial for businesses engaged in media licensing and copyright management. Companies with expertise and capabilities in media monitoring and intellectual property rights management in the publishing industry would find this type of contract beneficial for expansion, given the niche and specialised nature of the service. This procurement illustrates the importance of holding exclusive distribution or licensing rights when competing for specific public contracts.

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Notice Title

Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) License 2026-2027

Notice Description

This Direct Award is for the annual Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) fee for use of NLA copyrighted content in FCDO's media monitoring services for the financial year 2026 to 2027. This license is purchased from the News Media Access and is the only regulated body able to supply the required copyright licence. It is also a recurring annual licence.

Procurement Information

This license is purchased from the News Media Access and is the only regulated body able to supply the required copyright licence. It is also a recurring annual licence. (NLA Media Access Limited business licence - GOV.UK) This direct award is justified under Section 41 and the 'single supplier' justification in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, as the required copyright licence can only be supplied by NLA Media Access, the sole rightsholder authorised to issue licences for the use of UK newspaper and magazine content. No reasonable alternative supplier exists.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066edd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029121-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

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


CPV Codes

22210000 - Newspapers

79995000 - Library management services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£179,208 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
12 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2AH
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NEWSPAPER LICENSING AGENCY (NLA

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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