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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Framework for Large Print and Spoken Word Books

Essex County Council · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 24 Sept 2026, 09:41.

Opportunity overview

Essex County Council (ECC) are seeking to establish a multi-Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of Large Print Books and Spoken Word Books on CDs for use across Essex Libraries. This will divided into two (2) Lots: Lot 1: Large Print Books Lot 2: Spoken Word Books on CDs Large Print Books are defined as 16-18 point size, and Spoken Word Books on CDs are defined as a book that has been read and recorded onto one or more CDs in a format playable by standard CD players. Suppliers will be required to provide durable, library-ready materials suitable for public lending, including RFID tagging, barcoding, labelling and the provision of accurate MARC bibliographic records. Ordering will be undertaken through electronic processes, including EDI, supported by an online catalogue enabling standing order plans and ad-hoc purchases. Deliveries will be made to a central distribution location. To access the tender, please register on our procurement portal, Open

Classification

  • CPV22113000 — Library books

Lots

  • Large Print Books£216k · Including VAT
  • Spoken Words Books on CDs£96k · Including VAT

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
C025PA
Status
active
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Main Procurement Category
goods
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
Interested suppliers can access the tender opportunity via the Authority's eSourcing portal ('OPEN') at: https://open-uk.org/ The portal provides access to tender documents and enables submission of clarification questions and responses. Registration Requirements: Suppliers must be registered (free of charge) on both of the following platforms: OPEN (the Authority's eSourcing portal): Via the link, https://open-uk.org/ Central Digital Platform (CDP): Via the link, https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/faq/en_GB/Central_Digital_Platform

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Additional Procurement Categories

services

Covered By

GPA

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
closed
Description
The Framework will operate through a combination of: - Direct ordering via standing order arrangements; and - Individual call-off orders placed as required. The Authority will purchase stock only when required and subject to the availability of budget. When the same publication is available from two or more suppliers appointed to the same Lot, the Authority may undertake a simple price comparison exercise. In these circumstances: Suppliers may be invited to submit pricing through the quotation process. - Evaluation will be based on 100% price. - The order will be awarded to the supplier offering the most advantageous price for the publication(s) concerned.

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Tender Period

Ends
2 Oct 2026, 14:00

Enquiry period

Ends
16 Sept 2026, 16:00

Expected award period

Ends
16 Oct 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Large Print Books
Description
Lot 1 covers the supply of Large Print Books for use across Essex Libraries. The Supplier will be required to provide Large Print Books that meet recognised accessibility standards and are suitable for public lending, including durable finishes and clear spine and cover labelling. Items must be supplied as library‑ready stock, including RFID tagging, barcoding, labelling and other physical processing requirements as specified by the Authority. The Supplier must provide accurate MARC bibliographic records via Bibliographic Data Services (BDS), maintain an online catalogue to support standing order plans and ad‑hoc ordering, and participate in electronic ordering processes including EDI. Deliveries will be made to a central library distribution address. The Lot includes defined obligations relating to data quality, delivery timescales, invoicing, management information, business continuity, and ongoing performance monitoring. No guarantee of volume or value is provided under this Lot.
Status
active

Value

Including VAT
216,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
cost
Name
Cost

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Social Value

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Jan 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Dec 2030, 23:59
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Spoken Words Books on CDs
Description
Lot 2 covers the supply of Spoken Word Books on CD for use across Essex Libraries. The Supplier will be required to provide audiobooks on CD supplied in cases suitable for public lending, with clear labelling and durable construction. Spoken Word recordings must be of appropriate audio quality and supplied as library‑ready stock, including barcoding, labelling and other physical processing requirements as specified by the Authority. The Supplier must provide accurate MARC bibliographic records via Bibliographic Data Services (BDS), maintain an online catalogue to support standing order plans and ad‑hoc ordering, and support electronic ordering processes including EDI. Deliveries will be made to a central library distribution address. The Lot includes requirements covering data quality, replacement of damaged items, delivery timescales, invoicing, management information, business continuity, and performance monitoring. No guarantee of volume or value is provided under this Lot.
Status
active

Value

Including VAT
96,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
cost
Name
Cost

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Social Value

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Jan 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Dec 2030, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
22113000
Description
Library books

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
22113000
Description
Library books

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 2
Id
084426-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
7 Sept 2026, 13:43
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Essex County Council
Id
GB-PPON-PWVM-4844-NRQH

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PWVM-4844-NRQH

Address

Street Address
County Hall, Market Road
Locality
Chelmsford
Postal Code
CM1 1QH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKH36

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Chelmsford · UKH36 · CM1 1QH · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH3 · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 002692-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 084426-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·