---
title: "26-27 Library Books - Perpetual Access"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED"
published: "2026-10-23"
---

# 26-27 Library Books - Perpetual Access

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613.json)

## Summary

The University of Wolverhampton Enterprise Limited buys academic library books and digital publications for enrolled students and academic staff, supporting teaching, independent study and research. The requirement covers title-by-title purchases of digital publications with perpetual access rights under licence agreements with approved publishers and content providers. This gives the university continuing access to core academic and research materials without recurring subscription payments, supporting long-term collection development. The goods are for the university’s provision in Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands. The procurement is for library books (CPV 22113000), with associated library services also classified.

The procurement has been awarded through a direct award following desktop evaluation under the SUPC Books, e-Book and Associated Services framework. A combined award of £190,000 was made to A.T Little & Sons Limited (Browns Books), EBSCO International Inc. and Kortext Limited on 12 August 2026. The contract runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2030, on a two-year term with two optional one-year extensions. The original tender deadline was 31 July 2026. The process was divided into no published lots. The stated suitability indicates that small and medium-sized enterprises may participate; the award followed the framework route and desktop evaluation.

This award shows demand from the University of Wolverhampton for the acquisition of academic digital publications with perpetual access rights, rather than recurring subscriptions. The requirement favoured suppliers able to source title-by-title content from reputable authors and publishers, arrange licences with approved publishers and content providers, and secure continuing access to materials supporting the university’s curriculum, independent study and research. Three suppliers received the award, including two SMEs and one large supplier, demonstrating that more than one provider can serve the requirement and that SME suppliers have competed successfully. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need established publisher and content-provider relationships, suitable digital book supply and licensing capability, and the capacity to support a multi-year university collection.

## Notice

Library Books contracts form a core component of the University's provision of teaching, learning and research resources. They enable the University to supply enrolled students and academic staff with access to published content that supports curriculum delivery, independent study and academic research, ensuring sources are obtained from reputable authors and publishers. Perpetual Access covers the acquisition of title-by-title perpetual access rights to digital publications under licence agreements with approved publishers and content providers. These purchases provide the University with ongoing access to academic and research materials without the need for recurring subscription payments, supporting long-term collection development and ensuring continued availability of core teaching and research resources. Direct Award following a desktop evaluation through the SUPC framework for Books, e-Book and Associated Services (LIB4061 SU). Term: 2 Years, plus optional 24 month extension (2+1+1). Contract Award is retrospective to the Contract start date

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ed47ef44-ab67-404e-8e57-229b1b085bdd |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large, SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £190,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £190,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE LIMITED |
| Locality | WOLVERHAMPTON |
| Postcode area | Wolverhampton |
| Postcode | WV1 1LY |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG39 Wolverhampton |
| Local authority | Wolverhampton |
| Electoral ward | St Peters |
| Westminster constituency | Wolverhampton West |
| Delivery location | TLG West Midlands (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 3 |
| Supplier names | A T Little & Sons Ltd; EBSCO INTERNATIONAL INC.; KORTEXT LIMITED |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 22 - Printed matter and related products
- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

### Codes

- 22113000 - Library books
- 92511000 - Library services

## Release History

- 23 Oct 2026 at 15:41 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ed47ef44-ab67-404e-8e57-229b1b085bdd

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ed47ef44-ab67-404e-8e57-229b1b085bdd
  23rd October 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea27e4dd-bbb1-4b60-bd90-915d41f40613.json.