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Provision of Print Books to the named Academic Partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands

University of the Highlands and Islands

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Aug 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of the Highlands and Islands, together with UHI Inverness, UHI Moray, UHI North West & Hebrides and UHI Shetland, procured the supply of printed books for academic use. The requirement covers English-language books and publications in UK non-English languages, supplied to the named academic partners under a joint arrangement. Delivery covers the UHI network in Scotland, including Inverness, Elgin, Thurso and Lerwick. This is a goods requirement for book suppliers, academic and educational wholesalers, distributors and fulfilment providers able to source and deliver printed publications. The main classification is CPV 22113000, library books. The buyer is the University of the Highlands and Islands, with the participating colleges and academic partners using the service.

The procurement has been awarded and the contract is active. Browns Books was selected as the supplier for the single lot. The contract was signed on 16 July 2026 and has a value of £160,000 GBP, stated as estimated spend over the maximum contract term including extension periods. The published description says the award was made through a Direct Award call-off under Lot 1 of the APUC Framework Agreement Print Books & Standing Orders (LIB1023 AP), while the tender is also identified as an open procedure. The tender evaluation gave equal weighting to quality and price, at 50% each. One bid was recorded, and it was submitted electronically by an SME. The arrangement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement.

This award demonstrates established demand from a multi-campus higher education group for a managed supply of English-language and UK non-English printed books. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need reliable access to a broad academic and general book catalogue, strong supplier and publisher relationships, and the ability to source titles in both language categories. It would also need dependable ordering, stock checking, fulfilment and delivery across dispersed Scottish campuses, including island locations such as Shetland. Browns Books is recorded as an SME, showing that the requirement can be served by a specialist or mid-sized bookseller rather than only a large national distributor. Suppliers should be able to evidence service quality as well as competitive pricing, reflecting the equal evaluation weighting.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Print Books to the named Academic Partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands

Notice Description

Provision of Print Books (English language and UK non-English language publications).

Lot Information

Lot 1

The following Academic Partners of the University of the Highlands and Islands have entered into a joint contract for the Provision of Print Books: - UHI Executive Office - UHI Inverness - UHI Moray - UHI North, West and Hebrides - UHI Shetland The scope of Print Books shall be limited to that of English language and UK non-English language publications.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000839305
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG561661
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
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
£160,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of the Highlands and Islands
Additional Buyers

Inverness College UHI (Also known as UHI Inverness)

UHI Moray

UHI North,West and Hebrides

UHI Shetland

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 3JH
Postcode Area
Inverness
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness Millburn
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Browns Books

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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