| Date |
|---|
| 1st August 2025 |
We are pleased to announce that SUPC, HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC, and NWUPC members can now access the re-tendered Books, e-books and associated services framework. Led by Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC) and tendered in conjunction with the library consortia Academic Libraries North, MUAL, NEYAL, and WHELF, the agreement provides a compliant and responsible route for any public sector organisation to procure books, e-books, and other printed or hard-copy publications for either library or general purposes.
Offering a cost-effective procurement option with access to eighteen reputable suppliers, SUPC expects in excess of £250m in university and public sector spend throughout the four-year framework. The agreement will run from 1 August 2025 until 31 July 2027, with extension options until 31 July 2029. The agreement is open to all SUPC members, as well as those from HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC and NWUPC.
What are the main changes from the previous agreement?
- Wider e-book options – a route to market for a wider range of e-book products and business models that meet library-approved requirements for financial sustainability and a positive student experience
- Updated lotting structure – improved flexibility in the supply of printed publications, with clearer distinctions between specialist and general suppliers
- Simplified e-book pricing (Lots 4 and 5) – easier comparison of pricing between suppliers
- Carbon reduction reporting – new requirements designed to encourage continuous improvement in sustainability
- Cyber security and AI transparency – enhanced requirements for e-book suppliers to ensure greater clarity and security
- Streamlined call-off documentation – simpler and more efficient to use.
What are the benefits of using the Books, e-books and associated services framework?
- Inclusion of leading UK suppliers and specialist providers to strengthen and elevate library collections
- A straightforward, compliant route to market for all participating organisations
- Alignment of e-book licensing and AI requirements with evolving sector initiatives led by Jisc
- Comprehensive user guides, support, and ready-to-use call-off templates for ease and efficiency.
The following suppliers have been awarded to the agreement
SUPC takes pride in delivering frameworks that add significant value to our members. Joel Arber, Chief Executive of SUMS Group, says:
“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our newly retendered Books, E-books and Associated Services Framework. Our carefully selected list of suppliers reflects our commitment to quality, innovation and value. We’re excited to work with these trusted partners to deliver a dynamic and responsive service that meets the evolving needs of our members.”
How do you call off from the framework agreement?
- Direct award – either to the top-scoring supplier or to any named supplier on the Lot where a convincing commercial or operational argument can be made (eg. to avoid the costs of switching supplier)
- Desktop exercise
- Further competition
How have sustainability, equality and diversity been considered as part of the tender?
- All suppliers must have a carbon reduction plan no later than six months after the framework launches and annually thereafter. This plan must cover at least Scopes 1 and 2. Scope 3 is strongly encouraged.
- Progress will be tracked via our Supplier Relationship Management programme, which will have a member-facing output.
- Our goal is to ensure a minimum requirement for the framework while inspiring a race to improve. By taking a collaborative approach with suppliers and sector, we will be able to develop the requirement appropriately over time.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is also a key concern to members. The risks within this framework are low with ‘mandatory requirements’ covered by the Equality Act (2010) or similar legislation abroad. Our focus at tender was to evaluate how convincingly EDI was embedded into practice. We asked suppliers to provide the policies in place and to describe how they are embedded into the culture of their organisations via training, awareness initiatives, and communication to employees, customers, and third parties.
About SUPC
Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC) is the largest of the UK Universities Procurement Consortia (UKUPC) by spend. Members choose to work with SUPC to access our expertise, frameworks and added-value support services which help them deliver value for their own institutions.
Find out more
Join us on Wednesday 27 August 2025 for the Books, e-books and associated services framework launch webinar.
Visit Hunter to learn more about the Books, e-books and associated services framework.