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Academic Search Complete

University Of Bedfordshire

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Oct 2026 at 12:52

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Bedfordshire procured a subscription service titled Academic Search Complete for its academic needs. The contract is for access to the named service, rather than goods or physical works. The stated delivery location is the United Kingdom; the procurement does not identify a more specific service location. The buyer is the University of Bedfordshire, based in Luton. The requirement is grouped as one lot and classified as a service. This is a buyer-specific subscription requirement, so suppliers should assess whether they can provide the same or a closely matching academic search subscription to a university. The procurement description is brief and does not set out technical features, user numbers or the content included in the subscription.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to EBSCO International Inc. The University used a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition. The award date was 6 October 2026. The awarded value is £40,139 excluding VAT (£48,166.80 including VAT). The contract period runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 October 2027. The process comprised one lot, marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises. The award records one supplier and a pending award status; no evaluation criteria or competitive assessment are stated. A scheduled contract-signature milestone was set for 6 October 2026.

For suppliers of academic search and subscription services, this award demonstrates that the University of Bedfordshire buys access to Academic Search Complete through a direct, non-competitive route. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need to offer a relevant academic search subscription and be able to serve a university customer in the UK. The lot was marked suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises, indicating that organisations of those types could be appropriate suppliers. The published scope does not define a specific technical specification, user capacity, accreditation or experience threshold, so the evidence points to capability in delivering the named subscription rather than a broader technology or consultancy service.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Academic Search Complete

Notice Description

Academic Search Complete-UoB

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07819f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094239-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79980000 - Subscription services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£40,139 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 30 Oct 2027 6-12 months
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
University Of Bedfordshire
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LUTON
Postcode
LU1 3JU
Postcode Area
Luton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH21 Luton
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Luton
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Luton South and South Bedfordshire

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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