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Official procurement procedure

Books, e-books and associated services

Dictionaries
maps
music books and other books
+6 more
UK
Published value
Not published
Submission deadline Not published
Lots published9
Procurement Executive Summary
AI & Search Synopsis
Generated from official OCDS record
Tenderline Synopsis: Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC): "Books, e-books and associated services". Published status: complete. Published value: Value not published. 9 published lots. Submission deadline not published. See the official notice for participation instructions.
Contracting AuthoritySouthern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)Scope & CategoriesNot publishedSubmission Window
complete
No deadline published
Submission GatewayDirect notice routeLegal Basis & RegimeStandard procurementEstimated Value (exc. VAT)Not published
Bidder Intelligence · Authority Profile: Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)
Market Analytics
View Authority Profile →
Derived from OCDS awards & bid statistics
Published history for Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC). These figures describe retained records, not a forecast of bids or a measure of buyer bias.
Published-to-award variance
Not availableInsufficient comparable data
Requires at least 5 comparable procedures
Competition Density
7.6Bids / Report
5.9% of reports have one bid
Supplier ConcentrationNo estimate
Insufficient attributable awardsNo concentration estimate available
Payment Terms
Check noticePublished terms
Payment obligations depend on the applicable regime and contract. Consult the official documents.
Coverage: 91 active published awards; 85 bid reports (which may be per lot). Supplier values exclude multi-supplier awards, frameworks and DPS, and use GBP only. They are published award values, not payments. Published-to-award variance compares single-lot, single-award, single-supplier GBP procedures with explicitly non-framework/non-DPS status; increases remain in the average. Unpublished data stays unknown. Awarded suppliers are winners, not all bidders.
Procedure terms
Contracting AuthoritySouthern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)
Procedure methodNot published
Procurement categoryNot published
Statuscomplete
Framework / DPSFramework
CompetitionNot published
Above thresholdNot published
Legal basisNot published
Tender period startsNot published
Clarification deadlineNot published
Electronic submissionNot published
Submission languagesNot published
Published6 Aug 2025, 09:17 BST
Last source update6 Aug 2025, 09:17 BST
Recurring procurementNot published
ClassificationDictionaries, maps, music books and other books, Library books, Printed books, Printed books, brochures and leaflets, School books, Textbooks
Delivery area
UK
OCIDocds-h6vhtk-048897
What is being bought
Framework agreement for the supply of books, e-books and associated resources and services. This tender is split into 9 Lots. Participating consortia cover universities and other Public Sector members including (but not limited to) schools, colleges, Multi-Academy Trusts, government departments and research institutes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The named consortia are SUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC, LUPC, HEPCW, Academic Libraries North, NEYAL, MUAL, and WHELF.
What changed
From the official release history
  1. Status changed to complete
    6 Aug 2025, 09:17 BST
  2. Official notice release published
    6 Aug 2025, 09:17 BST
  3. Buyer information updated
    6 Aug 2025, 09:17 BST
  4. tender value changed
    20 Jun 2025, 14:47 BST
  5. Status changed to published status
    20 Jun 2025, 14:47 BST
  6. Official notice release published
    20 Jun 2025, 14:47 BST
  7. Submission deadline changed to published date
    20 Jun 2025, 14:47 BST
  8. Buyer information updated
    20 Jun 2025, 14:47 BST
  9. Status changed to active
    6 Jan 2025, 06:16 GMT
  10. Official notice release published
    6 Jan 2025, 06:16 GMT
  11. Submission deadline changed to 21 Feb 2025, 12:00 GMT
    6 Jan 2025, 06:16 GMT
  12. Published value updated to £450,000,000
    7 Aug 2024, 15:19 BST
  13. Status changed to planned
    7 Aug 2024, 15:19 BST
  14. Official notice release published
    7 Aug 2024, 15:19 BST
  15. Buyer information updated
    7 Aug 2024, 15:19 BST
Lots and requirements (9)
Published by the contracting authority
  • Lot 1 · #1
    Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Large-scale and library-focussed suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials including but not limited to maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders and out-of-print materials. Suppliers will be capable of meeting operational requirements such as metadata provision, shelf-ready servicing, and interoperability with Library Management Systems. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 1 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 2 · #2
    Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Specialist suppliers of printed publications and other hard copy materials such as maps, music scores, DVDs, CDs, Standing Orders. Suppliers will specialise according to factors such as language, region of publication, material type, subject, etc. Suppliers may bid for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 but not both. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 2 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 3 · #3
    Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Supply of printed publications and other hard copy materials, generally for non-library purposes of academic departments, schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, and other public sector organisations. Associated goods relating to reading provision may be supplied under this Lot where a dedicated framework is not required. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 3 will be awarded to a maximum of 8 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 4 · #4
    E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via the aggregator’s own platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 4 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 5 · #5
    E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via a third party or publisher platform. Packages may be offered, as may DDA and EBA programmes. Suppliers will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (eg. 365 day licences) where perpetual licensing is not available. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 5 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 6 · #6
    E-book aggregator: subscription packages
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Subscription e-book packages via aggregator’s own platform. Packages may include wider digital content in addition to e-books. Package content will be pre-defined in nature and not bespoke selections of titles. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 6 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 7 · #7
    E-book aggregator: e-textbooks
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    E-textbook access via an aggregator e-textbook platform. Title selections may be bespoke or pre-defined packages. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 7 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 8 · #8
    E-books: specialist and innovative solutions
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Specialised e-book solutions for delivery via Supplier’s own platform. This Lot offers a route to market for solutions that do not fit the specification of other e-book Lots (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7). Solutions might include those that are not specifically designed for the HE market, that deliver specialist content, or that offer alternative business models that don’t fit in another Lot. Suppliers bidding for this Lot may not bid for any other e-book Lot (Lots 4, 5, 6, or 7). Additional information: It is intended that Lot 8 will be awarded to a maximum of 12 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
  • Lot 9 · #9
    Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision
    cancelled
    Published valueNot published
    Where a member wishes to set up an approved supplier for individual staff or students to purchase hard copy or digital materials. Bursary provision may also be facilitated where operated on a credit basis and the supplier meets individual member requirements. In these cases, bursaries may include a wider scope of goods that support learning. Additional information: It is intended that Lot 9 will be awarded to a maximum of 5 suppliers.
    Contract periodNot published
    EligibilityNot published
    Options / renewalNot published
Timeline
  1. Procedure published
    6 Aug 2025, 09:17 BST
  2. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  3. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  4. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  5. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  6. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  7. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  8. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  9. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  10. Award active
    Not published · Not published
  11. Contract active
    Signed 9 Jul 2025, 00:00 BST · £70,000,000
  12. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £10,000,000
  13. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £40,000,000
  14. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £120,000,000
  15. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £40,000,000
  16. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £20,000,000
  17. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £120,000,000
  18. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £20,000,000
  19. Contract active
    Signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · £10,000,000
Commercial outcome and competition
Awards
A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books, EBSCO International Inc.
Not published · Not published · active
Amalivre, Casalini Libri SpA, Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel BV, Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd, Otto Harrassowitz GmbH & Co. KG
Not published · Not published · active
A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books, Amalivre, EBSCO International Inc., Happier Every Chapter, Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd, Waterstones Booksellers Limited
Not published · Not published · active
A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books, BibliU Ltd, EBSCO International Inc., Kortext Ltd, VitalSource Technologies LLC
Not published · Not published · active
EBSCO International Inc., Mallory International Limited
Not published · Not published · active
BibliU Ltd, EBSCO International Inc., Kortext Ltd, ProQuest LLC, VitalSource Technologies LLC
Not published · Not published · active
A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books, BibliU Ltd, Kortext Ltd, Mallory International Limited, VitalSource Technologies LLC
Not published · Not published · active
Amalivre, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, Casalini Libri SpA, Digital Content Associates Ltd, Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel BV, Macmillan Learning, Perlego Limited
Not published · Not published · active
A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books, Happier Every Chapter, Kortext Ltd, Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd, VitalSource Technologies LLC
Not published · Not published · active
Contracts
Print publications: standard suppliers for library stock
£70,000,000 · signed 9 Jul 2025, 00:00 BST · active
Print publications: specialist suppliers for library stock
£10,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
Print publications: supply to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, academic departments (generally non-library)
£40,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase
£120,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
E-book aggregator: title-by-title perpetual access purchase for third-party platform
£40,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
E-book aggregator: subscription packages
£20,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
E-book aggregator: e-textbooks
£120,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
E-books: specialist and innovative solutions
£20,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
Sales to individual staff/students and bursary provision
£10,000,000 · signed 2 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST · active
Bid statistics
bids: 2 (lot 1)
electronicBids: 2 (lot 1)
foreignBidsFromEU: 0 (lot 1)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 2 (lot 1)
smeBids: 1 (lot 1)
bids: 8 (lot 2)
electronicBids: 8 (lot 2)
foreignBidsFromEU: 5 (lot 2)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 3 (lot 2)
smeBids: 6 (lot 2)
bids: 7 (lot 3)
electronicBids: 7 (lot 3)
foreignBidsFromEU: 1 (lot 3)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 6 (lot 3)
smeBids: 5 (lot 3)
bids: 6 (lot 4)
electronicBids: 6 (lot 4)
foreignBidsFromEU: 0 (lot 4)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 6 (lot 4)
smeBids: 4 (lot 4)
bids: 4 (lot 5)
electronicBids: 4 (lot 5)
foreignBidsFromEU: 0 (lot 5)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 4 (lot 5)
smeBids: 2 (lot 5)
bids: 7 (lot 6)
electronicBids: 7 (lot 6)
foreignBidsFromEU: 0 (lot 6)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 7 (lot 6)
smeBids: 4 (lot 6)
bids: 5 (lot 7)
electronicBids: 5 (lot 7)
foreignBidsFromEU: 0 (lot 7)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 5 (lot 7)
smeBids: 4 (lot 7)
bids: 10 (lot 8)
electronicBids: 10 (lot 8)
foreignBidsFromEU: 3 (lot 8)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 7 (lot 8)
smeBids: 7 (lot 8)
bids: 8 (lot 9)
electronicBids: 8 (lot 9)
foreignBidsFromEU: 0 (lot 9)
foreignBidsFromNonEU: 8 (lot 9)
smeBids: 6 (lot 9)
Buyer and organisations in this procedure

Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)

Contracting authority GB-FTS-5463
View buyer profile

  • Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)
    buyer
    centralPurchasingBody

    111357
    Reading Enterprise Centre, The University of Reading, Whiteknights Road, Earley Gate, Reading, UK, RG6 6BU
    supc@sums.ac.uk
    +44 1182284020

  • A T Little & Sons Ltd T/A Browns Books
    supplier

    01607961
    5 Redcliff Road, Melton, UK, HU14 3RS

  • Amalivre
    supplier

    323199190
    58 rue du Dessous-des-Berges, Paris, FR, 75013

  • BibliU Ltd
    supplier

    09334024
    Ark Coworking, Carnegie Street, London, UK, N1 9QW

  • Cambridge University Press and Assessment
    supplier

    823 84 7609
    Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, UK, CB2 8EA

  • Casalini Libri SpA
    supplier

    309587
    Via Benedetto da Maiano 3, Fiesole, IT, 50014

  • Casalini Libri SpA
    supplier

    IT03106600483
    Via Benedetto da Maiano 3, Fiesole, IT, 50014

  • Digital Content Associates Ltd
    supplier

    07260949
    36 Coleshill Road, Teddington, UK, TW11 0LJ

  • EBSCO International Inc.
    supplier

    FC 16134
    6th Floor Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, UK, EN1 3XA

  • Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel BV
    supplier

    33044879
    Veemarkt 207, Amsterdam, NL, 1019CJ

  • Erasmus Antiquariaat en Boekhandel BV
    supplier

    33044879
    Veemarkt 207, Amsterdam, NL, 1019 CJ

  • European Union
    funder

  • Happier Every Chapter
    supplier

    12905585
    1 Poyntz Gardens, Northampton, UK, NN5 7RY

  • Kortext Ltd
    supplier

    08617088
    Avalon, 26-32 Oxford Road, Bournemouth, UK, BH8 8EZ

  • Macmillan Learning
    supplier

    GB220903643
    Hampshire International Business Park, Cromwell Place, Lime Tree Way, Basingstoke, UK, RG24 8YJ

  • Mallory International Limited
    supplier

    02991148
    The Common, Exmouth Road, Aylesbeare, UK, EX5 2DG

  • Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd
    supplier

    200722727R
    Blk 231 Bain Street, 03-05 Bras Basah Complex, Singapore, SG, 180231

  • Mary Martin Booksellers Pte Ltd
    supplier

    200722727R
    Blk 231, Bain Street 03-05, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore, SG, 180231

  • Otto Harrassowitz GmbH & Co. KG
    supplier

    HRA1056
    Kreuzberger Ring 7c-d, Wiesbaden, DE, 65205

  • Perlego Limited
    supplier

    10155026
    26 Hatton Garden, London, UK, EC1N 8BR

  • ProQuest LLC
    supplier

    4264702
    789 East Eisenhower Parkway,, Ann Arbor, US, MI 48108

  • Southern Universities Management Services
    reviewBody

    Reading Enterprise Centre, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading, RG6 6BU
    supc@sums.ac.uk
    +44 1182284020

  • VitalSource Technologies LLC
    supplier

    86-4000320
    227 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, US, NC 27601

  • VitalSource Technologies LLC
    supplier

    86-4000320
    227 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, US, NC 27601,

  • Waterstones Booksellers Limited
    supplier

    00610095
    203-206 Piccadilly, London, UK, W1J 9HD
Documents (0)
Official links; attachments are not copied
No data
No linked documents are published
Related procedures (0)
No data
No related procedures published
Planning and rationale
Planning budgetNot published
No-engagement rationaleNot published
Procedure rationaleNot published