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The Company of Biologists Read and Publish 2027-2028

Jisc

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

10 Sep 2026 at 17:00

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

10 Sep 2026 at 16:21

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Jisc Services Limited, a subsidiary of Jisc, is procuring access to The Company of Biologists’ online journals for Jisc member institutions. The arrangement gives eligible members preferential subscription rates and the ability to publish open access articles in the journals. It is for member use rather than Jisc’s own requirements. The service covers online periodical content, associated information systems and database access, subscription services, and related education and research users. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. The purchasing framework is open to higher and further education institutions, research organisations, specialist colleges, multi-academy trusts, education bodies, consortia and other organisations supporting higher or further education or research in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The procurement is complete and the contract has been awarded through a direct award to The Company of Biologists. Jisc’s stated rationale is that the supplier owns the intellectual property in the content and is the sole supplier of this unique resource. The gross awarded value is £1,140,000. The award date is 10 September 2026, with a standstill period ending on 22 September 2026 and a scheduled signature date of 23 September 2026. The contract period runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028. It is a single-lot service procurement using an open framework arrangement. A 1% fee of the awarded value applies to the successful supplier. The award is above the relevant threshold.

This award indicates established demand from UK education and research organisations for negotiated access to scholarly journal content combined with open access publishing rights. Suppliers best placed for comparable requirements would have direct control of, or legally secure access to, a distinctive academic publishing portfolio, supported online journal platforms, subscription and database infrastructure, and the ability to manage institutional publishing workflows. Credibility would also depend on understanding higher and further education purchasing arrangements, consortium membership models and the needs of research organisations across the UK. The outcome shows that intellectual property ownership and exclusive supply rights can determine the procurement route, so publishers and content platforms should be able to evidence rights, licensing authority, service continuity and the capacity to support multiple member institutions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The Company of Biologists Read and Publish 2027-2028

Notice Description

Jisc Services Limited is entering into a contract with The Company of Biologists to give Jisc member institutions the right to subscribe to The Company of Biologists 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-06f751
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086129-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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

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
£1,140,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Sep 20266 days ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

The Company of Biologists Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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