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Framework for Large Print and Spoken Word Books

Essex County Council · Local authority

In brief

Essex County Council is looking for suppliers for printing work (East of England).

It is a framework worth up to £260,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 4 years, up to 42 months with extensions, starting 1 January 2027.

It is split into 2 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at 2pm, Friday 2 October 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by
4pm, Wednesday 16 September 2026
Bids by
2pm, Friday 2 October 2026

How bids are scored

Technical 30% · Cost 60% · Social Value 10%

Price matters most. Expect to compete hard on cost.

Competition

Typical: a median of 5 bids per contract for this buyer (from 36 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £260,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

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

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
  4. Send clarification questions before 4pm, Wednesday 16 September 2026.
  5. Make sure your bid arrives before 2pm, Friday 2 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Large Print Books
1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030
What this lot covers

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.

Printing£216,000
Spoken Words Books on CDs
1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030
What this lot covers

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.

Printing£96,000

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 002692-2026
  2. Tender notice · UK4, notice 084426-2026

About the buyer

From notice 002692-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 13 January 2026, last updated 7 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.