---
title: "SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "APUC LIMITED"
published: "2025-07-23"
---

# SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature

Buyer: APUC LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9.json)

## Summary

APUC Limited, based in Stirling, UK, facilitated a procurement process for SHEDL eBook Collections, specifically targeting education and training services. The contract was awarded directly to Springer Nature under a limited procurement method without prior publication, justifying that the service was unique to the supplier due to sector-specific requirements. The contract, valued at £2,500,000, provides Scottish Higher Education Digital Library members with access to Springer Nature’s online offerings, free from digital rights management, for a duration of up to four years. This procurement process reached its completion phase on 23 July 2025, with all management information submissions required quarterly.

This tender presents opportunities for growth in the educational resources sector, particularly for institutions seeking DRM-free digital content offerings. Businesses equipped with capabilities to facilitate digital library resources, especially ones catering to higher education or library sectors, would find themselves well-placed to compete for similar opportunities in the future. The focus on an exclusive contract underscores the importance of unique service provisions, encouraging suppliers with niche capabilities to engage in direct award procedures.

## Notice

APUC is seeking to enter into an agreement with Springer Nature to offer Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) members institutions access to Springer Nature online books, free of digital rights management (DRM), for up to 4 years. APUC will not use the content but will facilitate the purchase on behalf of the HE institutions in Scotland and the National Library of Scotland. The Contract value is estimated based on potential participation by its members

### Lot Information

Lot 1

APUC is seeking to enter into an agreement with Springer Nature to offer Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) members institutions access to Springer Nature online books, free of digital rights management (DRM), for up to 4 years. Additional information: The contract value is an estimate based on the potential aggregated subscription values over the possible term of 48 months. APUC will not use or make payments under this contract but will facilitate the agreement on behalf of the Scottish HE Institutions and the National Library of Scotland.

### Procurement Information

The publishing service is unique to the supplier and sector. The agreement falls within the derogation contained within Regulation 33(b)(i)of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, permitting APUC to enter into the direct award.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042386-2025 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Feb 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £2,500,000 |

## 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 | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | SPRINGER NATURE; SPRINGER NATURE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 22 - Printed matter and related products
- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 22113000 - Library books
- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 23 Jul 2025 at 13:02 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042386-2025
- 11 Feb 2025 at 16:06 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004610-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk
- http://www.ucsp.ac.uk/
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
- https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/stirling-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court
- https://www.springernature.com/

## 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-04ddd9. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ddd9.json.