This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

27 Jul 2026 at 13:48

Planning

28 May 2026 at 15:42

Summary of the contracting process

Southern Universities Management Services (SUMS), located in Reading, United Kingdom, is initiating a public procurement process under the "Library Subscription Services" title. This procurement, classified in the industry category of goods, specifically targets the supply and management of serials, journals, periodicals, and magazines. The process is currently at the planning stage, with key dates including the preliminary market engagement ending on 31 August 2026. The procurement is set to commence on 1 August 2027, extending through to 31 July 2029 with an option for renewal until 31 July 2031. The estimated contract value spans up to £350 million GBP, and future notices are anticipated on 25 January 2027.

This tender offers a substantial opportunity for businesses engaged in the provision of subscription and library content services to secure long-term contracts with sub-central government authorities. Companies adept in offering comprehensive online subscriptions management platforms or exclusive single-source subscription e-resources may find this particularly lucrative. Additionally, the framework agreement envisages inclusivity, encouraging participation from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). This diversity in potential suppliers underscores a broad scope for innovation and service delivery, presenting substantial growth opportunities in the sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Library Subscription Services

Notice Description

The scope of this procurement includes the retendering of the existing framework agreement (Serials, periodicals and associated services, LIB4054 SU) with the addition of a second Lot for single source subscription e-resources. It will be possible for suppliers to bid for both Lots if they wish: Lot 1: Subscriptions Agents - Subscriptions Agents enabling supply of serials, journals and other subscriptions products via a comprehensive online subscriptions management platform. Lot 2: Lot 2: Single Source Subscription E-Resources - Subscribed information e-resources that may form part of a library collection or similar service. Resources must be those where only one supplier exists, and they must be unavailable via a subscriptions agent or via a Procurement Act compliant Jisc deal.

Planning Information

Suppliers are invited to visit https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=107745&TID=100112823&B= where they will find the following: 1. PME briefing document (which includes links to the supplier surveys) 2. Draft specifications for each Lot, which suppliers are invited to annotate and return via the Mercell messaging function. All clarification queries should also be submitted via the Mercell messaging function

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a823
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070848-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products


CPV Codes

22200000 - Newspapers, journals, periodicals and magazines

22210000 - Newspapers

22211000 - Journals

22211100 - Official journals

22212000 - Periodicals

22212100 - Serials

22213000 - Magazines

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£350,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 Jan 20276 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (SUMS)
Additional Buyers

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG6 6BU
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Wokingham
Electoral Ward
Hillside
Westminster Constituency
Earley and Woodley

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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