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WGSN database subscription renewal

Coventry University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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24 Aug 2026 at 16:56

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Coventry University procured a subscription to the WGSN database, a software and information resource used in teaching Art and Design courses. The requirement is a library-style information systems subscription renewal, providing continued access to the WGSN resource for the university’s academic activities. Coventry University is the buying organisation, based in Coventry, and the service is delivered in the United Kingdom. The requirement covers one package rather than separate service areas, with the resource embedded in the university’s teaching provision. It is therefore relevant to suppliers providing specialist commercial, cultural, design, fashion or trend information databases and related digital subscription services for higher education users.

The procurement is complete and was awarded directly to WGSN Ltd, identified as the unique supplier. The route was a below-threshold direct award without competition, justified by the existing resource’s use since 2009 and the stated view that changing supplier would cost more than any potential saving. The contract was signed on 23 July 2026, with an award made on 31 July 2026. It runs from 31 July 2026 to 30 July 2027. Its value is £33,462.85 excluding VAT, or £40,155.42 including VAT. The procurement was below the £207,720.00 including VAT tendering threshold and comprised one completed lot.

This award indicates established demand at Coventry University for a specialist digital information subscription supporting Art and Design teaching. A future competitor would need to provide a distinctive, trusted database rather than a general software product, with content sufficiently valuable to be embedded in teaching and library provision. The requirement also shows the importance of continuity: the incumbent resource has been used for many years, so an alternative supplier would need to demonstrate comparable depth, reliability, user access and educational relevance, while making transition practical for staff and students. Suppliers with experience selling specialist information services to universities, supporting academic users and maintaining institutional subscriptions would be best placed to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

WGSN database subscription renewal

Notice Description

WGSN Ltd. is the unique supplier. This is a library subscription that the university has taken since 2009 and the resource is embedded into the teaching of Art and Design courses. The time and cost of change would outweigh any savings that could be generated by running a competitive procurement process. The value of the contract is below the PS207,720.00 including VAT threshold for tendering set by the UK Government under the PA2023 regulations.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06eaf9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080555-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£33,462 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Aug 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 30 Jul 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
Coventry 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
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 5FB
Postcode Area
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WGSN Ltd

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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