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.

Procurement Act 2023

Open procedure

The successful Tenderers have entered into a Framework Agreement (NEPO418: Library Books & Digital Content) with NEPO. This Framework is made accessible to the Member Authorities and the Associate Members of NEPO via Call-Off Contracts. NEPO has establish overarching terms and conditions that define the core principles of the Framework. Pricing has been determined through the tender process and evaluated against predefined award criteria and associated weightings. All tenders have been assessed accordingly. Pricing submitted as part of this Framework will apply to requirements Nationally. Pricing for the Core Services and Headline % Discount under lots 1 - 7 has been fixed from the point of the Framework commencement for a minimum period of 12 months. Any price changes agreed will then remain fixed for a minimum of 12 months thereafter for the duration of the Framework. Framework commencement is considered from the commencement date of 1st October 2026. Suppliers will be able to request a Price Review Proposal from the 1st October 2027 which will then remain fixed for 12 months. Contracting Authorities may establish Call-Off Contracts through an award without or with further competition. Under s45(4) of the Procurement Act 2023, Contracting Authorities may award directly to a Supplier without further competition under this Solution. The objective mechanism for supplier selection without competition under this Solution has been established to allow Contracting Authorities to award to any awarded supplier on the Framework. This is subject to the Contracting Authority's internal procurement and legal guidelines permitting a Direct Award. When an award without competition is made, the price will be based on the Solution contracted tendered rates. The Supplier rates can be improved (i.e. reduced) but must not exceed the capped tendered rates. Further Competition Contracting Authorities may opt to run a further competition at their discretion throughout the life of the Solution. All Suppliers awarded to the Solution may be invited to participate in a further competition. The criteria for evaluations at the further competition stage will be detailed by the Contracting Authority and included within the documentation issued at that stage. Contracting Authorities will utilise their own further competition documents. At further competition stage, Suppliers should be asked to provide a price based upon the actual requirements of the Contracting Authority. All rates provided within the Solution must not be exceeded but can be lowered to ensure a competitive bid.