---
title: "SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "APUC LIMITED"
published: "2025-07-23"
---

# SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature

Buyer: APUC LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188.json)

## Summary

The recent procurement process for the "SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature" contract was undertaken by APUC Limited, a central purchasing body based in Stirling, UK. This completed contract aims to provide Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) member institutions, as well as the National Library of Scotland, with access to Springer Nature's online books without DRM restrictions for up to four years. The contract was directly awarded to Springer Nature Customer Service Center GmbH through a limited procurement method, justifying the absence of a competitive call due to the unique nature of the publishing service. The procurement process, rooted in the derogation within Regulation 33(b)(i) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, concluded with a contract valued at approximately £2,500,000, signed on 11th February 2025. This award opens service opportunities at the Scottish regional level within the education industry sector.

This procurement offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in the provision and management of academic eBook collections, particularly those with unique offerings like Springer Nature. Companies with expertise in digital content delivery, library systems integration, and large-scale digital distribution would ideally be positioned to engage in similar future opportunities. Moreover, businesses that can demonstrate the ability to partner with public organisations, facilitating access and smooth management of digital resources, can find fertile ground to offer their solutions in Scotland and potentially expand their reach across higher education institutions. Such collaborations not only bolster business growth but also enhance visibility in niche markets involving large-scale educational resource provision.

## 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.. 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 | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL535283 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract 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 | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| 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 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL535283
- 11 Feb 2025 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB523702

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB523702
  SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature - 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
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL535283
  SHEDL eBook Collections - Springer Nature - 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

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk
- http://www.ucsp.ac.uk/
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188
- 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-r6ebe6-0000790188. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000790188.json.