---
title: "Books, e-books and associated services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-048897"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-048897"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048897.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048897.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM (SUPC)"
published: "2025-08-06"
---

# Books, e-books and associated services

Buyer: SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM (SUPC)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-048897

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## Summary

The Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC) has launched a comprehensive framework agreement titled "Books, e-books and associated services," targeting the library books industry category. This procurement process involves multiple consortia across universities, schools, and public sector entities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The tender is divided into 9 lots, each focusing on different aspects of printed publications and e-books. The procurement method employed was an open procedure, ensuring wide participation. The final contract awards were signed in July 2025, encompassing goods such as print publications and e-books with the procurement now complete.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in printed publications and e-book services, particularly those offering innovative or specialised solutions. Companies with capabilities in metadata provision, shelf-ready servicing, and integration with library management systems will find lots tailored to their expertise. Moreover, businesses focusing on unique formats or languages will have distinct advantages in lots requiring specialist knowledge. With contracts valued at substantial amounts, this procurement process can be a catalyst for growth, especially for SMEs aiming to expand their presence in the academic and public sectors within the UK.

## Notice

Framework agreement for the supply of books, e-books and associated resources and services. This tender is split into 9 Lots. Participating consortia cover universities and other Public Sector members including (but not limited to) schools, colleges, Multi-Academy Trusts, government departments and research institutes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The named consortia are SUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC, LUPC, HEPCW, Academic Libraries North, NEYAL, MUAL, and WHELF.

### Lot Information

Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock

Large-scale and library-focussed suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials including but not limited to maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders and out-of-print materials. Suppliers will be capable of meeting operational requirements such as metadata provision, shelf-ready servicing, and interoperability with Library Management Systems. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 1 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock

Specialist suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials such as maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders. Suppliers will specialise according to factors such as language, region of publication, material type, subject, etc. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 2 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)

Supply of printed publications and other hard copy materials, generally for non-library purposes of academic departments, schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, and other public sector organisations. Associated goods relating to reading provision may be supplied under this Lot where a dedicated framework is not required. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 3 will be awarded to a maximum of 8 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via the aggregator's own platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 4 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform

Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via a third party or publisher platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 5 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

E-book aggregator: subscription packages

Subscription e-book packages via aggregator's own platform. Packages may include wider digital content in addition to e-books. Package content will be pre-defined in nature and not bespoke selections of titles. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 6 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

E-book aggregator: e-textbooks

E-textbook access via an aggregator e-textbook platform. Title selections may be bespoke or pre-defined packages. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 7 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

E-books: specialist and innovative solutions

Specialised e-book solutions for delivery via Supplier's own platform. This Lot offers a route to market for solutions that do not fit the specification of other e-book Lots (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7). Solutions might include those that are not specifically designed for the HE market, that deliver specialist content, or that offer alternative business models that don't fit in another Lot. Suppliers bidding for this Lot may not bid for any other e-book Lot (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7). Additional information: It is intended that Lot 8 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision

Where a member wishes to set up an approved supplier for individual staff or students to purchase hard copy or digital materials. Bursary provision may also be facilitated where operated on a credit basis and the supplier meets individual member requirements. In these cases, bursaries may include a wider scope of goods that support learning. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 9 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.

Renewal: The initial term is to be 24 months with extension(s) possible for up to a further 24 months (maximum 48 months total).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046368-2025 |
| 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, SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 21 Feb 2025 |
| Future notice date | 24 Oct 2024 |
| Award date | 1 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £450,000,000 |
| Lots value | £450,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £260,000,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM (SUPC) |
| Additional buyers | EUROPEAN UNION; SOUTHERN UNIVERSITIES PROCUREMENT CONSORTIUM (SUPC) |
| Locality | READING |
| Post town | Reading |
| Postcode | RG6 6BU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ16 Berkshire West |
| Local authority | Wokingham |
| Electoral ward | Hillside |
| Westminster constituency | Earley and Woodley |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 18 |
| Supplier names | A T LITTLE & SONS LTD T/A BROWNS BOOKS; AMALIVRE; BIBLIU; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS AND ASSESSMENT; CASALINI LIBRI; DIGITAL CONTENT ASSOCIATES; EBSCO INTERNATIONAL; ERASMUS ANTIQUARIAAT EN BOEKHANDEL; HAPPIER EVERY CHAPTER; KORTEXT; MACMILLAN LEARNING; MALLORY INTERNATIONAL; MARY MARTIN BOOKSELLERS; OTTO HARRASSOWITZ; PERLEGO; PROQUEST; VITALSOURCE TECHNOLOGIES; WATERSTONES BOOKSELLERS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 22 - Printed matter and related products

### Codes

- 22100000 - Printed books, brochures and leaflets
- 22110000 - Printed books
- 22111000 - School books
- 22112000 - Textbooks
- 22113000 - Library books
- 22114000 - Dictionaries, maps, music books and other books

## Release History

- 6 Aug 2025 at 08:17 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046368-2025
- 20 Jun 2025 at 13:47 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034099-2025
- 6 Jan 2025 at 06:16 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000133-2025
- 7 Aug 2024 at 14:19 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024901-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.amalivre.fr
- http://www.blackwells.co.uk
- http://www.brownsbfs.co.uk
- http://www.cambridge.org
- http://www.casalini.it
- http://www.digitalcontentassociates.com
- http://www.ebsco.com
- http://www.kortext.com
- http://www.macmillanlearning.co.uk
- http://www.marymartin.com
- http://www.perlego.com
- https://about.proquest.com/
- https://bibliu.com
- https://get.vitalsource.com/intl
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=87046&B=SUPC
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/86623
- https://www.erasmusbooks.nl/
- https://www.happiereverychapter.com
- https://www.harrassowitz.de
- https://www.malloryint.net/
- https://www.supc.ac.uk

## 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-048897. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048897.json.