Framework for Large Print and Spoken Word Books

What the buyer is asking for

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

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 30%qualityTechnical
• 60%costCost
• 10%qualitySocial Value

2 lots

You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for all of them.

• Large Print Books

  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 continuit

• Spoken Words Books on CDs

  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 contin

How contested is this?

Buyers publish how many bids they received. Across 13 comparable procurements we can tell you the typical field size, how often one of these goes uncontested, and whether the buyer awards on price or on quality.

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice published15 days ago

   7 Sept 2026, 13:43 BST
2. Clarification questions by5 days ago

   16 Sept 2026, 16:00 BST
3. Submission deadlinein 11 days

   2 Oct 2026, 14:00 BST
4. Award decision expected byin 25 days

   16 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

2 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender

1. Pipeline or early engagement notice13 Jan 2026, 14:02 GMT002692-2026
2. Tender notice7 Sept 2026, 13:43 BST084426-2026

Documents

• Tender notice on Find a Tender