---
title: "Periodicals and Associated Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "APUC LIMITED"
published: "2025-10-13"
---

# Periodicals and Associated Services

Buyer: APUC LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6.json)

## Summary

The procurement process, led by APUC Limited, concerns the "Periodicals and Associated Services" contract, encompassing the supply and delivery of newspapers, journals, periodicals, and magazines. Targeted institutions span HE/FE institutions in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and several other public bodies. The procurement, valued at GBP 38 million, is conducted through an open procedure and currently resides in the award stage. The awarded contract, worth GBP 36 million, was signed on 28th February 2025 with EBSCO INTERNATIONAL INC, who will serve as the subscription agent. The contract, registered under CPV code 22200000, caters to goods delivery in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and its framework agreement sustains services and community benefits, including internships and training opportunities.

This tender invites businesses with strong capabilities in managing subscriptions and distribution of periodicals, offering significant scope for growth through partnerships with educational and governmental bodies. The contract allows enterprises to showcase innovative management systems and engage in high-profile collaborations. Companies equipped with robust logistics, digital supply chain capabilities, and a commitment to community benefits will find this opportunity aligned with both operational goals and corporate responsibility mandates. The tender fosters potential growth, especially for those seeking to expand their footprint in the public sector across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

## Notice

The Authority undertook a procurement exercise to appoint a Subscription Agent to supply to manage the supply and delivery of periodicals and the associated services.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The Authority undertook a procurement exercise to appoint a Subscription Agent to supply to manage the supply and delivery of periodicals and the associated services. Periodical are defined as any domestic or foreign publication supplied in a print or electronic format. The publication may take various formats, such as a magazine, newspaper, or journal to name a few examples, and may be issued in successive parts, at regular intervals and may continue indefinitely. The appointed agent will be required to provide the service to: * HE/FE institutions in Scotland * HE institutions of Northern Ireland * The members of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries(SCURL) * The Scottish Government * NHS Education Scotland (SHEDL deals only) acting on behalf of The Knowledge Network. Parties eligible to use the Framework Agreement are as listed in Appendix E -- List of Institutions. Members of APUC - http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/

Renewal: The Framework Agreement will commence on the 01/01/2025 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 31/12/2026. The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirement by Institutions for the service provision.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064617-2025 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Jul 2024 |
| Future notice date | 19 May 2024 |
| Award date | 28 Feb 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | December 2027 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £38,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £36,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | APUC LIMITED |
| Locality | STIRLING |
| Post town | Falkirk and Stirling |
| Postcode | FK8 2DZ |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling |
| Local authority | Stirling |
| Electoral ward | Stirling East |
| Westminster constituency | Stirling and Strathallan |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | EBSCO INTERNATIONAL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 22 - Printed matter and related products

### Codes

- 22200000 - Newspapers, journals, periodicals and magazines
- 22210000 - Newspapers
- 22211000 - Journals
- 22211100 - Official journals
- 22212000 - Periodicals
- 22212100 - Serials
- 22213000 - Magazines

## Release History

- 13 Oct 2025 at 09:38 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064617-2025
- 5 Jun 2024 at 07:53 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017350-2024
- 9 Nov 2023 at 08:39 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033130-2023

## Notice URLs

- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk
- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/
- http://www.ucsp.ac.uk/
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000767659
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
- https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/stirling-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

## 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-h6vhtk-0416f6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0416f6.json.
