Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
APUC Limited
Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ
UK
Contact person: Lorona Watts
Telephone: +44 1314428950
E-mail: lwatts@apuc-scot.ac.uk
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
E-Books, E-Book Collections and E-Textbooks - APUC
Reference number: LIB1024 AP
II.1.2) Main CPV code
22113000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
The Authority is acting on behalf of the HE and FE institutions in Scotland and oversea campuses, Members of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL) which includes amongst its members, the National Library of Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Scotland Excel and its members
Please refer to Appendix E - List of Institutions for more detail.
The Authority is seeking Contractors to supply a wide range of academic content in digital format and associated content and services from Aggregators and Publishers.
The scope will include:
E-Books
E-Book Collections (Publishers packages)
E-Textbooks
Associated digital content
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
34 500 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for maximum 4 lots
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 4
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Title by Title purchase and Collections
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
22113000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This exercise is being undertaken on behalf of the HE/FE Institutions in Scotland and the members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), including the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Scotland Excel and its members.
The Authority intends to appoint a maximum of 8 Contractors to supply
Title-by-title purchasing of e-books via an aggregator platform for delivery via the aggregator’s own platform. Packages may be offered, such as DDA and EBA Programmes, and audiobooks. Contractors will offer perpetual access licences but may also offer alternatives (e.g. 365-day licences, including POA models) where perpetual licensing is not available.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
8 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Framework Agreement will commence on the 01.04.2026 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 31.03.2028 The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the Authority's members and the members of SCURL
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Title by Title and Collections (Access on a Third Party Platform)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
22113000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This exercise is being undertaken on behalf of the HE/FE Institutions in Scotland and the members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), including the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Scotland Excel and its members.
The Authority intends to appoint a maximum of 8 Contractors to supply Title by Title and Collections, with access provided on a 3rd Party Platform)
The lot will enable the purchase of content via an aggregator with the content provided on a third-party’s platform.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
8 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Framework Agreement will commence on the 01.04.2026 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 31.03.2028 The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the Authority's members and the members of SCURL
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Aggregated subscriptions packages
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
22113000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This exercise is being undertaken on behalf of the HE/FE Institutions in Scotland and the members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), including the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Scotland Excel and its members.
The Authority intends to appoint a maximum of 6 Contractors to provide Subscription e-book packages via an aggregator or a third-party platform. Packages may include wider digital content in addition to e-books. Package content is likely to be pre-defined in nature.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 50
Price
/ Weighting:
50
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
1 500 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Framework Agreement will commence on the 01.04.2026 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 31.03.2028 The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the Authority's members and the members of SCURL
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
E-Textbooks
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
22113000
22112000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This exercise is being undertaken on behalf of the HE/FE Institutions in Scotland and the members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), including the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Scotland Excel and its members.
The Authority intends to appoint a maximum of 5 Contractors to supply E- Textbook content via an aggregator and hosted on the aggregators or publisher’s platform
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 50
Price
/ Weighting:
50
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
8 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Framework Agreement will commence on the 01.04.2026 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 31.03.2028 The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the Authority's members and the members of SCURL
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
E-Books and E-Textbooks (Title by Title & Collections)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
22113000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
UK
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
1. This exercise is being undertaken on behalf of the HE/FE Institutions in Scotland and the members of Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), including the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and Scotland Excel and its members.
The Authority intends to appoint a maximum of 20 Contractors to supply E-Books and E-Textbooks (Title by Title & Collections) negotiated directly with the publisher and hosted on the publisher’s or an aggregator’s platform.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 50
Price
/ Weighting:
50
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
9 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Framework Agreement will commence on the 01.04.2026 for an initial period of 2 years and will expire on the 31.03.2028 The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued requirements of the Authority's members and the members of SCURL
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
With reference to Q4B.5 of the SPD in the qualification questionnaire, bidders must confirm they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance* = GBP 5 Million
Product and Public Liability Insurance = GBP 5 Million
Cyber Security Insurance or equivalent
With reference to Q4B.6 of the SPD in the qualification questionnaire, bidders must confirm they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:
To demonstrate and evidence suitable economic standing, successful Contractors will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded the Framework Agreement.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Tenderers must confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and
sustainable supply chain. This includes confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain
promptly (i.e. no later than 30 days after the invoice (or similar claim) relating to the payment is presented) and effectively, and provide
evidence when requested of:
a) their standard payment terms
b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year
If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment
performance
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Submission of Management Information
Following commencement of the Framework Agreement, the Contractor will provide a performance report to The Authority on a quarterly basis to include spend by institution under the Framework Agreement for the reporting period.
Contractors must provide the information on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days following the start of each quarter. Data must be uploaded to the website: http://ucsp.ac.uk/ using the template provided (template shall be provided during the lead-in period). The supplied template is the only format permissible and should contain
Contractor name, tender reference, total net spend by institution each month. If there has been no spend for the quarter, then this will still require you to log in and record a nil spend return.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 30
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-015737
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
04/02/2026
Local time: 16:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 48 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
04/02/2026
Local time: 16:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
April 2029
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
Form of Tender
Tenderers must sign Form of Tender - Appendix A prior to award to confirm that their Tender Response is a complete, true and accurate
submission.
Freedom of Information
Appendix B - Freedom of Information(if applicable) in the
This information should only be submitted if applicable at point of award. It is for information only and will not
be scored.
Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct
The Authority has developed a Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct- Appendix D which sets out its expected standards for its supply
chain in social, ethical and environmental compliance.
List Of Institutions
List of Institutions eligible to use any resulting framework agreement
Prompt Payment
Tenderers must confirm that payment of subcontractors at all stages of the supply chain will be made within a maximum of 30 days and
that this will be managed. It is for information only and will not be scored but is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the
contractual terms.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Please confirm that you will be in a position (prior to award) to complete “Appendix G(i) – GDPR Contractor Assessment Form” and Appendix G(ii) – GDPR Contractor Assessment Form (AI) in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.
Tenderers must complete the GDPR Contractor Assessment Forms. It is for information only and will not be scored but is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the contractual terms.
Serious Organised Crime
Please complete “Appendix H – Declaration of Non-Involvement in Serious Organised Crime” in the Technical Questionnaire. Tenderers
must complete the Declaration of Non-Involvement in Serious Organised Crime. It is for information only and will not be scored but it is a
requirement of this tender and will be included in the assessment of tender responses and in contractual terms.
SCM RP Section 1
SCM RP is the Authority's designated tool for contracted suppliers to keep up-to-date essential information on their company, which allows
the Authority to get an insight into their company’s general standing, commitment to preventing modern slavery and addressing climate
change, as well as their pledge to fair and decent working practices for their staff. Tenderers must confirm that they will commit to
completing SCM RP Section 1 on award. It is for information only and will not be scored but is a requirement of this tender and will be
included in the contractual terms.
Living Wage Status
Please provide details on your position on the Real Living Wage. This information should be submitted in the Technical envelope in
PSC-T. It is for information only and will not be scored.
Library Management Platforms & Reading Lists
List of Library Management Platforms used please refer to Appendix J in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.
Please complete at time of tender submission.
Appendix K - Community Benefits and Value-Added Services
Tenderers are required to complete the table listing Community Benefits and Value-Added Services that will be provided. Please refer to Appendix K in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.
Please complete at time of tender submission.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30712. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
It is anticipated that the required service will be provided the appointed Contractor(s)
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Training opportunities
Work experience
Charity contributions
Support for community projects
Engagement with supported businesses
(SC Ref:817125)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Stirling Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House, Viewfield Place
Stirling
FK8 1NH
UK
Telephone: +44 1786462191
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courts-and-tribunals/courts-tribunals-and-office-locations/find-us/stirling-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/12/2025