Library Books and Digital Content

The Association of North East Councils, trading as the North East Procurement Organisation ("NEPO"), is establishing a multi-supplier, multi-lot Framework Agreement for the provision of Library Books & Digital Content. The Framework will be accessible to Contracting Authorities throughout the United Kingdom.

The Framework is intended to support a wide range of requirements and encompasses, but is not limited to, the following categories of goods and services:

Adults Fiction & Non-Fiction Books including Reference Materials

Children's Fiction & Non-Fiction Books

School Library Services for Educational and Curriculum Books

Adults Multimedia Materials

Childrens Multimedia Materials

School Library Multimedia Materials

Wrap Service: Fiction, Non-Fiction Books & Multimedia Materials

eAudiobooks

eBooks

eComics

eNewspapers

eMagazines

Full Digital Service

The Framework incorporates Social Value commitments and provides robust governance, compliance and contract management arrangements. It offers a multi-supplier solution that enables Contracting Authorities to employ flexible call-off and award procedures, supported by suitably experienced suppliers.

Core and Core Plus Servicing costs, and headline discounts have been established for the following lots

Lot 1: Adults Fiction & Non-Fiction Books including Reference Materials

Lot 2: Children's Fiction & Non-Fiction Books

Lot 3: School Library Services for Educational and Curriculum Books

Lot 4: Adults Multimedia Materials

Lot 5: Childrens Multimedia Materials

Lot 6: School Library Multimedia Materials

Lot 7: Wrap Service: Fiction, Non-Fiction Books & Multimedia Materials

A future proofing mechanism has been built into the Core and Core-Plus servicing through annual reviews. With a fixed headline discount establish for the whole life of the contract.

The Framework has established individual commercial and licensing models which can provide Contracting Authorities with transparency over any additional services or charges at call-off, supporting informed supplier selection, comparability and value-for-money decision making throughout the life of the solution for the following lots:

Lot 8: eAudiobooks

Lot 9: eBooks

Lot 10: eComics

Lot 11: eNewspapers

Lot 12: eMagazines

Lot 13: Full Digital Service

The successful suppliers have been appointed following completion of a single-stage Open Procedure in accordance with PA23 Regulations.