This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Jun 2026 at 10:04

Summary of the contracting process

Aston University, located in Birmingham, has completed a procurement process for the provision of books, e-books, and e-textbooks. This procurement falls under the goods category, specifically focusing on library books. The process has reached the 'award' stage with contracts signed on 10 March 2026. The procurement was conducted under the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortia (SUPC) framework, allowing contracts to be awarded without a separate competitive bidding process. The procurement method was limited, involving a desktop exercise evaluation of framework suppliers.

This tender presents valuable opportunities for businesses involved in library and educational resources, particularly those supplying books and digital content. Large-scale enterprises like Ebsco International Inc, ProQuest LLC, and SMEs such as A T Little & Sons Ltd (trading as Browns Books) and Kortext Ltd were awarded contracts, demonstrating an opportunity for diverse business sizes to compete. Companies specialising in library stock, e-book provision, and innovative digital learning solutions can find significant growth prospects by aligning with such frameworks and consortia arrangements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Books and E Books

Notice Description

Aston University has awarded contracts for the provision of books, e-books and e-textbooks through the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortia (SUPC) Books, e-books and associated services framework - LIB4061 SU. The awarded provision covers print publications, title-by-title perpetual access e-books, subscription e-book packages and e-textbook access via aggregator platforms.

Lot Information

Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock

Large-scale and library-focused suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery through the aggregator's own platform.

E-book Aggregator: Subscription Packages

Subscription e-book packages via aggregator platform

E-book aggregator: e-textbooks

E-textbook access via an aggregator e-textbook platform

Procurement Information

The contracts were awarded following a desktop exercise under the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortia (SUPC) Books, e-books and associated services framework (LIB4061 SU). The framework permits award following evaluation of framework suppliers. No standalone competition was undertaken.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bbe4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059297-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products


CPV Codes

22110000 - Printed books

22113000 - Library books

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,342,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Mar 20263 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 7ET
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

A T LITTLE & SONS LTD (T/A BROWNS BOOKS

EBSCO INTERNATIONAL

KORTEXT

PROQUEST LLC / CLARIVATE

Further Information

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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