Award

Copyright Licences for Schools - Schools Printed Music Licence - (SPML)

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

11 May 2026 at 12:11

Award

02 Apr 2026 at 07:56

Award

02 Apr 2026 at 07:52

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education, located in London, has completed a procurement process titled "Copyright Licences for Schools - Schools Printed Music Licence (SPML)." This tender falls under the "Recreational, cultural and sporting services" category and involved the direct award of a contract to Printed Music Licensing Ltd, effective from 17 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. The procurement method used was a direct award, supported by the rationale that Printed Music Licensing Ltd is the sole provider of the SPML, essential for schools to legally copy and arrange printed music for educational and extracurricular purposes. The contract's gross value is £27,124,637, with the associated legal framework under the UKPGA 2023/54 legislation.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses within the field of copyright management and licensing services. Companies adept in handling intellectual property rights, especially those pertaining to music and educational materials, can explore similar niches or foster partnerships with organisations like Printed Music Licensing Ltd. Given that such licences are crucial for educational institutions, there is potential for growth in offering innovative or additional services that complement these existing licences. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in educational support services or those looking to specialise in intellectual property solutions can particularly benefit from targeting similar procurement opportunities.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Copyright Licences for Schools - Schools Printed Music Licence - (SPML)

Notice Description

Schools require licences to access copyright materials for teaching and learning and extracurricular activities. Copyright licences are handled by and purchased from Copyright Management Organisations (CMOs). CMOs are a type of licensing body that grant rights to materials on behalf of rights holders (e.g. authors/composers). The School Printed Music licence (SPML): Permits the copying and arranging of printed music owned by a school, teacher or music service or hub engaged in supporting the school.

Procurement Information

Printed Music Licensing Ltd are the sole source of the licence permitting the copying and arranging of printed music owned by a school, teacher or music service or hub engaged in supporting the school.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067b59
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042983-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£22,603,864 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£22,603,864 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 May 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Apr 20262 months ago
Contract Period
16 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
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
SW1P 3BT
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

PRINTED MUSIC LICENSING

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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