--- title: "Large Print and Spoken Word for Libraries" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-01-13" --- # Large Print and Spoken Word for Libraries Buyer: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3.json) ## Summary Essex County Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Large Print and Spoken Word for Libraries," under the goods industry category. The process aims to support library services by procuring large print books and spoken word CDs, enhancing accessibility for users with visual impairments or preferences for audio formats. Located in the UK, the council serves around 1.5 million residents through various library services. The current contracts are set to expire on 30th June 2026, with the new contract period anticipated to start on 1st July 2026. Interested parties can engage with this process, which is not yet a competitive tender but an opportunity for market engagement, by completing a form through the provided link. The preliminary market engagement notice was published on 13th January 2026, and the last date for participating in the engagement exercise is 23rd January 2026. This procurement opportunity presents potential growth for businesses involved in book publishing and audio production, particularly those specialising in accessible formats. Companies that offer durable library materials with necessary features like RFID tagging and robust cases, or provide comprehensive online catalogue services, can greatly benefit from participating. The notice demonstrates openness to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to showcase their capabilities in creating value for public library services. The engagement phase is crucial for businesses to establish an understanding with Essex County Council and position themselves for subsequent competition stages when the contract notice is formally published. ## Notice Essex County Council has a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. Essex Libraries serve a population of approximately 1.5 million through 74 library buildings, an eLibrary, mobile libraries, and community services. With 250,000 active users and over 5.5 million visits annually, we aim to ensure inclusive access to reading and listening materials. Scope of Procurement We intend to procure Large Print Books and Spoken Word on CDs to support accessibility and engagement for users with visual impairments or those who prefer audio formats. Our current contracts expire on 30th June 2026. Large Print Books Must meet RNIB standards (minimum 16-point font size). Durable for library lending, with reinforced covers and RFID tagging. Supplier must provide an accessible online catalogue with search and filtering options, images, descriptions, and MARC records. Ordering will be via Standing Order Plans and one-off purchases, using EDI for quotes, orders, and invoicing. Spoken Word on CDs Audio recordings of books on standard CDs, playable on conventional CD players. Robust cases suitable for library use, clear labelling, and RFID tagging. Online catalogue requirements similar to Large Print, including narrator details and physical specifications. Replacement options for damaged cases/discs during item lifetime. Delivery & Invoicing Central delivery to Witham, Essex. Monthly deliveries for standing orders; two-week turnaround for ad-hoc orders. EDI invoicing and compliance with ECC finance processes. To take part in the engagement exercise, please access our form here: https://forms.office.com/e/fVWvzLRYn9 It is important to note that this PIN is not a call for competition and as such you will need to express your interest in any future tender opportunity once the contract notice is published in Find a Tender and on Contracts Finder. It should also be noted that this notice invites individuals and organisations to express an interest in this exercise only, and it is NOT a pre-qualification questionnaire, and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process. This notice is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in any future tendering process nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who participate. ### Planning Information To engage, fill out the attached form: https://forms.office.com/e/fVWvzLRYn9 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002692-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | CHELMSFORD | | Post town | Chelmsford | | Postcode | CM1 1QH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex | | ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex | | Local authority | Chelmsford | | Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central | | Westminster constituency | Chelmsford | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 22 - Printed matter and related products ### Codes - 22113000 - Library books ## Release History - 13 Jan 2026 at 14:02 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002692-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002692-2026 13th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://forms.office.com/e/fVWvzLRYn9 - 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-0604b3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0604b3.json.