---
title: "Culture Learning and Libraries"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0516af"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0516af"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0516af.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0516af.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-03-13"
---

# Culture Learning and Libraries

Buyer: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0516af

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0516af)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0516af.json)

## Summary

Nottinghamshire County Council, situated in Nottingham, United Kingdom, has completed the procurement process for Culture, Learning & Libraries services, with the contract awarded to Culture, Learning & Libraries (Midlands), trading as Inspire. The procurement falls under the industry category of library, archives, museums, and other cultural services. This direct award contract is set to commence on 1 April 2026 and conclude on 31 March 2028, serving regions UKF15 and UKF16. The procurement method utilised was a direct award, citing technical compatibility reasons pursuant to the Procurement Act 2023. The contracting process is currently in the award stage, with a standstill period ending on 25 March 2026. Interested parties should be aware of the future contract signature date scheduled for 27 March 2026.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses operating in the cultural services sector, particularly those specialising in library and information services. As the procurement method was a direct award, it underscores the importance of maintaining compatibility with existing services provided by Inspire, suggesting potential I.T. or culturally aligned service offerings as beneficial. Businesses that can offer innovative solutions while ensuring seamless integration and compatibility with ongoing services such as cultural programming and library resources would be well-suited for similar opportunities. Such contracts offer a substantial gross value of £27,840,000, representing significant financial incentives for large-scale, resource-capable organisations within the sector. The emphasis on a light-touch regime further points to businesses that have experience in public service and culture-driven projects.

## Notice

Culture Learning and Libraries (Midlands) trading as Inspire - direct award on substantially the same terms as the current contract. The proposed new contract will commence on 1 April 2026 and end on 31 March 2028.

### Procurement Information

The direct award appointment being made is via ground 7, Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) is possible due to: (a) a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and (b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022732-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 2 Jun 2025 |
| Award date | 3 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £23,200,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | NOTTINGHAM |
| Post town | Nottingham |
| Postcode | NG2 7QP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire |
| ITL 3 | TLF16 South Nottinghamshire |
| Local authority | Rushcliffe |
| Electoral ward | Trent Bridge |
| Westminster constituency | Rushcliffe |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CULTURE, LEARNING & LIBRARIES (MIDLANDS) TRADING AS INSPIRE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

### Codes

- 92500000 - Library, archives, museums and other cultural services

## Release History

- 13 Mar 2026 at 09:57 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022732-2026
- 3 Jul 2025 at 09:03 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037009-2025
- 19 May 2025 at 10:28 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022533-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022732-2026
  13th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037009-2025
  3rd July 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022533-2025
  19th May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.inspireculture.org.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.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-0516af. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0516af.json.