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871-NYC-CD Library E-Books, E-Audiobooks and E-Press

The North Yorkshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

26 Aug 2026 at 12:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The North Yorkshire Council is exploring a library digital-content service covering e-books, e-audiobooks and e-press. The requirement may include supplying digital content, hosting and managing a digital lending platform, and providing support for library customers and staff. The council is testing whether the market can provide one combined solution for content and platform functionality, or whether separate delivery models would work better. Possible services include library content provision, digital lending, platform operation, cataloguing, archiving and access to press content. This is a public-sector services requirement intended for delivery in the UK. Suppliers specialising in digital publishing, e-book and audiobook distribution, library technology, e-lending platforms, e-press services or associated customer and staff support may be relevant.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the council has announced an intention to procure and is seeking written supplier information before any future tender. It expects to use the responses to define the scope, assess feasibility, understand available solutions and develop a possible specification. The council expects market engagement responses by 18 September 2026 and anticipates a further notice on 10 November 2026. The estimated gross value is £480,000. The planned contract period is 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, with a possible extension to 31 March 2031. The eventual arrangement could be one integrated solution, separate lots for e-books, e-audiobooks and e-press, or another model proposed by suppliers. The service is below the relevant threshold and subject to the light-touch regime.

The engagement is suited to small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, and is intended to shape the future requirement before competition. It will suit suppliers able to combine digital content rights and distribution with reliable e-lending technology, or organisations offering specialist services for one content area. Relevant capability includes hosting and operating secure digital lending platforms, managing e-book and audiobook catalogues, supplying e-press content, integrating content with library systems, and supporting library users and staff. Suppliers with experience in public library services, digital publishing, platform delivery, cataloguing, archiving or news and press distribution should prepare evidence of comparable solutions. Providers with alternative models, including partnerships between content owners and technology specialists, may also contribute to the council’s assessment.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

871-NYC-CD Library E-Books, E-Audiobooks and E-Press

Notice Description

The Authority is seeking information from organisations capable of supplying digital content, hosting and managing digital lending platforms, and providing associated support services for library customers and staff. The Authority wishes to understand whether suppliers can provide a combined solution encompassing both content provision and platform functionality, or whether alternative delivery models are available. The service may ultimately be procured as either: * A single integrated solution providing both e-Books and e-Audiobooks through one platform; * Separate Lots for e-Books, e-Audiobooks and E-Press; * Alternative models proposed by the market.

Planning Information

North Yorkshire Council (the Authority) is requesting information from suppliers to help determine the scope and feasibility of its requirement, to understand the range of potential solutions available in the market, and to assist with drafting a potential future tender specification for Library E-Books, E-Audiobooks and E-Press. The Authority intends to gather this information through written responses to this RFI. https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=108564&TID=100113624&B=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ec63
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081245-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

79995100 - Archiving services

79995200 - Cataloguing services

92400000 - News-agency services

92500000 - Library, archives, museums and other cultural services

92511000 - Library services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Aug 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Nov 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
The North Yorkshire Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NORTHALLERTON
Postcode
DL7 8AD
Postcode Area
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE22 North Yorkshire
Delivery Location
TLE22 North Yorkshire
Local Authority
North Yorkshire
Electoral Ward
Romanby
Westminster Constituency
Richmond and Northallerton

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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