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Tenders

Printed Book Production/CFP/PRO/2026

Open
Deadline
192 days left
October 04, 2026
Contract Details
Category
Restricted Procedure
Reference
021564-2026
Value
£6,500,000
Location
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Published
March 19, 2026
Organization
CPV Code
Project Timeline

Tender Published

March 10, 2026

Deadline for Questions

September 27, 2026

Submission Deadline

October 04, 2026

Contract Start Date

October 04, 2026

Budget
£6,500,000
Duration
24 months
Location
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Type
Restricted Procedure
75
Quality Score/100
Good

Original Tender Description

The Open University is commencing a competitive procurement, via a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) to establish a closed framework for the supply of printed book production (to include paper supply, printing, finishing and binding) of educational materials for delivery into The Open University's warehouse. The framework will support the production of printed learning materials for The Open University’s students, with annual production volumes across a range of publication formats. The framework will be awarded for an initial period of two (2) years, with the option to extend by up to two further twelve (12)‑month periods, to a maximum duration of four (4) years. Interested companies are invited to complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire in Stage 1 of the process. Following evaluation, the five (5) highest scoring suppliers will be invited to participate in the tender stage, Stage 2. At the conclusion of the procurement, the two (2) highest scoring suppliers will be appointed to the closed framework.

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Requirements & Qualifications

9 requirements across 5 categories

Submission (1)
Mandatory (1)
Compliance (3)
Technical (3)
Financial (1)
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS1
--Complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire in Stage 1.
MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS1
--[No specific grounds listed, but implied to be standard procurement exclusion criteria]
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS3
--Interested companies are invited to complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire in Stage 1.
--Only the five (5) highest scoring suppliers will be invited to Stage 2.
--Two (2) highest scoring suppliers will be appointed to the closed framework.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS3
--Supply of printed book production (to include paper supply, printing, finishing and binding) of educational materials.
--Support the production of printed learning materials for The Open University’s students.
--Capability to handle annual production volumes across a range of publication formats.
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS1
--[No specific financial requirements listed, but implied to be standard for a tender of this value]

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Documents

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender for printed book production is generally well-structured with clear objectives and a defined process. However, it lacks specific evaluation criteria and details on sustainability aspects.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The tender adheres to standard procurement procedures, including a clear CPV code and a competitive flexible procedure. The estimated value and contract duration are specified. The submission deadline, while potentially tight given the complexity of a two-stage process, is provided. No disputes are reported. The procedure appears compliant with general procurement regulations.

Clarity80/100

The description of the required services (paper supply, printing, finishing, binding of educational materials) is clear. The two-stage process with a questionnaire and subsequent tender invitation is well-defined. However, the absence of specified evaluation criteria for both stages introduces ambiguity.

Missing evaluation criteria
Completeness70/100

Most basic information is present, including title, reference, organization, estimated value, and contract duration. The description of services is adequate. However, the content of the tender documents is not available, and specific financial or technical requirements beyond the general scope are not detailed.

No document content available
Missing specific financial requirements
Fairness85/100

The process is designed as a competitive flexible procedure with a clear pathway for suppliers to progress through stages. The value is disclosed, and the criteria for advancing to Stage 2 (top 5 scoring) and appointment (top 2 scoring) are objective, promoting fairness. The use of a questionnaire in Stage 1 is a standard practice.

Practicality65/100

The tender specifies a submission deadline and contract start date, though the latter is identical to the deadline, which is unusual. The contract duration is clear. However, the lack of information regarding e-submission and financing details limits practicality. The 'Competitive flexible procedure' might imply a less straightforward submission process than a standard e-submission.

No e-submission specified
Unusual contract start date matching submission deadline
Data Consistency90/100

Key fields such as title, reference, organization, estimated value, and CPV code are populated. The dates provided are logical in sequence, although the contract start date coinciding with the submission deadline is an anomaly. No disputes are reported, and the status is active.

Contract start date matches submission deadline
Sustainability50/100

The tender does not explicitly mention any green procurement, social aspects, or innovation focus. It is not indicated as EU funded. This suggests a lack of emphasis on sustainability criteria.

Not green procurement
No social criteria

Strengths

Clear title, reference, and organization details
Well-defined two-stage procurement process
Objective criteria for supplier progression and appointment
Estimated value and contract duration specified

Concerns

Missing evaluation criteria for both stages
Lack of specific financial and technical requirements
No explicit sustainability or innovation criteria
Absence of e-submission details

Recommendations

1. Specify detailed evaluation criteria for Stage 1 and Stage 2.
2. Include information on sustainability and innovation requirements.
3. Clarify the e-submission process and confirm the contract start date.

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