Journal Subscriptions Service

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office requires a journals subscription agent to service multiple subscriptions to online and print journals. This is required to replace an existing contract set to expire on 30 November 2020.

Journal licenses are required both for corporate access by staff across the whole office department, but also for use by departments, teams or individuals. Access licenses should be primarily online, but using print where appropriate.

Billing mechanisms will be both to a central point and also by separate departmental customers where appropriate. The service is expected to deliver efficiencies by dealing with a single point of delivery as opposed to multiple publishers.

FCDO requires access to an online platform for subscription account management and management information as an integral part of the service. The Supplier is required to accurately process subscription orders quickly and where necessary in response to deadlines agreed with FCDO.

The Supplier will also need to have a flexible approach, managing a variety of license terms and subscription periods and dates, especially whilst FCDO continues its transition to a unified department over the term of the contract. Access should be to the full text of journals.

FCDO is currently considering its position on open access and therefore subscription requirements may change over time. FCDO places a premium on added value to the service through access to a dedicated account management team, who will be capable of advising FCDO on the best license models for a given title, securing value for money and offering current awareness of new publications, including setting up trial subscriptions.

The Supplier is expected to work collaboratively with FCDO in building an effective relationship built on a strong understanding of the FCDO's business. The account management team will be responsive to our service requests, capable of quickly resolving problems and act proactively as our agent to deliver the most appropriate and cost-effective subscription models in accordance with our stated needs.

FCDO currently uses IP Authentication for corporate access to journals, although this may be subject to change over the life of the contract. FCDO will look to engage with the Supplier to identify other methods of online access to corporate subscriptions, and the Supplier will be expected to engage in a flexible and collaborative way to ensure successful outcomes.

FCDO staff work in mobile and flexible ways, frequently on the move and in remote locations using mobile technology. The FCDO works as "One HMG Abroad" and works in close cooperation with other UK government departments including through joint operational units. The service will need to be supplied to staff with an FCDO email address both in the UK and overseas.