---
title: "Supply of large print and talking books"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04fabd"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04fabd"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fabd.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fabd.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CUMBERLAND COUNCIL"
published: "2025-10-03"
---

# Supply of large print and talking books

Buyer: CUMBERLAND COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04fabd

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

## Summary

The recent procurement process, managed by Cumberland Council, involves the direct award of a contract for the supply of large print and talking books for the libraries in Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness. Categorized under the goods sector with a focus on printed matter, the procurement concerns delivery to the UKD1 region with contract awards finalized on 26 August 2025. The procurement method used was a direct award due to the unique intellectual property rights held by suppliers Ulverscroft Limited and Bolinda UK Ltd. Notable dates include the planned contract period from 16 October 2025 to 31 March 2028, with a future signature milestone set for 15 October 2025. The process is currently in the award phase, with a standstill period ending on 14 October 2025.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the supply of printed and digital book formats, particularly those that specialize in accessible media such as large print and talking books. The direct award method highlights the importance of networking and establishing unique offerings that differentiate suppliers in a competitive landscape. Given that Ulverscroft Limited and Bolinda UK Ltd were successful in securing contracts due to their exclusive titles, businesses with proprietary or niche offerings may find similar prospects advantageous in future tenders. Overall, organisations capable of producing unique or proprietary content would be well-suited to compete in similar procurement processes.

## Notice

Supply of large print and talking books stock on behalf of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Libraries Please note - the start date of the contract as specified in this notice is in order to be able to publish the notice but the actual start date of the contract is to be as of 1 April 2025.

### Procurement Information

Each supplier publishes a unique set of titles that cannot be acquired from the other or from elsewhere.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062331-2025 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 31 Mar 2025 |
| Contract period | 15 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £435,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CUMBERLAND COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL |
| Locality | CARLISLE |
| Post town | Carlisle |
| Postcode | CA1 1RD |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria |
| ITL 3 | TLD14 Westmorland and Furness |
| Local authority | Westmorland and Furness |
| Electoral ward | Kendal Strickland and Fell |
| Westminster constituency | Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | BOLINDA; ULVERSCROFT |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 22 - Printed matter and related products

### Codes

- 22000000 - Printed matter and related products

## Release History

- 3 Oct 2025 at 16:44 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062331-2025
- 31 Mar 2025 at 14:02 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012042-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062331-2025
  3rd October 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012042-2025
  31st March 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.bolindalibrary.com
- http://www.ulverscroft.com
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

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