Framework for Large Print and Spoken Word Books

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. 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

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. 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.