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Optica Publishing Group Read and Publish Journals 2027

Jisc

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

20 Aug 2026 at 08:50

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

03 Jun 2026 at 16:03

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

03 Jun 2026 at 15:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Jisc, through Jisc Services Limited, procured access for Jisc member institutions to Optica Publishing Group’s online journals. The service provides preferential-rate subscriptions and enables member institutions to publish open-access articles in those journals. It is for use by Jisc members rather than for Jisc’s own requirements. The procurement is categorised as an education and training service, although its practical scope is scholarly publishing and access to online journal content. Delivery covers the United Kingdom. Eligible users under the associated open framework include higher and further education institutions, research organisations, education institutes, specialist colleges, multi-academy trusts, consortia and other organisations supporting or advancing education or research across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The procurement is complete and was awarded directly to Optica Publishing Group on 3 June 2026, with the contract signed on 7 August 2026. The active contract runs from 1 January to 31 December 2027 and is valued at USD 770,000 gross. It covers one completed lot and is above the relevant threshold. Jisc used a direct award without reopening competition through an open framework. The stated basis was that Optica Publishing Group owns the intellectual property and is the sole supplier of this unique resource. A standstill period ended on 12 June 2026, and signature was scheduled for 13 June 2026. The award and contract are recorded against the same supplier and requirement.

This outcome indicates established public-sector demand for specialist scholarly journal access combined with open-access publishing rights. The successful supplier was Optica Publishing Group, an SME and voluntary, community or social enterprise, and was selected because it is the intellectual-property rightsholder and sole supplier of the unique content. A credible future competitor for this requirement would therefore need to control or be formally authorised to provide comparable journal content, subscription access and open-access publishing arrangements. It would also need to support use by a broad education and research community across the UK, including universities, colleges, research councils, consortia and related institutions. Experience managing institutional subscriptions and article-publication workflows would be directly relevant.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Optica Publishing Group Read and Publish Journals 2027

Notice Description

Jisc Services Limited has entered into a contract with the Optica Publishing Group to give Jisc member institutions the right to subscribe to the Optica Publishing Group's online journals at preferential rates and publish open access articles in said journals. This contract will be with Jisc Services Limited as a subsidiary of Jisc. This contract is for use by Jisc Members only and not for Jisc's own use.

Procurement Information

The supplier is the rightsholder to the IP of the content and the sole supplier of this unique resource.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aca8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079264-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£770,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£770,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Jun 20264 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Jisc
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6NB
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Optica Publishing Group

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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