This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

04 Aug 2026 at 16:13

Award

09 Jun 2026 at 17:29

Award

09 Jun 2026 at 16:57

Summary of the contracting process

Jisc procured access to EBSCO Educational Databases for its member institutions. The service is an online education and research resource comprising the British Education Index, Education Resource Information Center, Educational Administration Abstracts, Education Abstracts, and Child Development and Adolescent Studies. It provides database subscriptions and related information services for use by Jisc members, rather than for Jisc’s own internal use. Delivery covers the United Kingdom. Eligible users include higher and further education institutions, research organisations, education institutes, specialist colleges, multi-academy trusts, colleges and relevant consortia or bodies supporting education and research. The procurement is a services requirement covering database services, software and information systems, subscription services, periodicals, and education-related content.

The procurement is complete and was awarded by Jisc to EBSCO International Inc. on 9 June 2026. It used a direct award without reopening competition under an open framework, because EBSCO was identified as the intellectual-property rightsholder and sole supplier of the unique resource. The award and signed contract value is £480,000 gross. The contract was signed on 23 July 2026 and runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029. A single lot was used, marked suitable for SMEs. A standstill period ended on 20 June 2026, and the planned signature date was 26 June 2026. The contract is active, and the award was above the relevant threshold.

This procurement demonstrates demand from UK education and research organisations for authoritative, specialist online databases delivered through subscription arrangements. A supplier competing for a comparable requirement would need a strong portfolio of education and research content, reliable database hosting and access management, and the operational capacity to support institutions across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The decisive commercial position here was ownership of, or exclusive rights to, the content: EBSCO was selected as the sole supplier because it held the relevant intellectual-property rights. Businesses without proprietary or exclusive access to comparable educational databases would be poorly placed for this specific requirement. Relevant capability includes serving higher and further education institutions, consortia, research bodies and other eligible education organisations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

EBSCO Educational Databases 2026-2029

Notice Description

Jisc Services Limited has entered into a contract with EBSCO International Inc to give Jisc member institutions the opportunity to subscribe to EBSCO Educational Databases at preferential rates. EBSCO Educational Databases is an online education resource comprising British Education Index (BEI), Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), Educational Administration Abstracts, Education Abstracts, and Child Development and Adolescent Studies. 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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b12e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073852-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

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

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

22212000 - Periodicals

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72320000 - Database services

79980000 - Subscription services

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL INC.

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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