Printed Book Production Tender Notice
Summary
The Open University has published a tender notice for printed book production services. The procurement aims to establish a closed framework for the supply of educational materials, with an estimated total value of £6,500,000. The notice is published under the Procurement Act 2023.
What changed
The Open University has issued a tender notice for printed book production services, including paper supply, printing, finishing, and binding of educational materials. This competitive procurement process, utilizing a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP), aims to establish a closed framework for an initial period of two years, with options for extensions up to four years. The estimated total value of the framework is £6,500,000 including VAT.
Interested companies must complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire for Stage 1. The top five scoring suppliers will proceed to Stage 2 (tender stage), and ultimately, two suppliers will be appointed to the framework. The contract is expected to commence on October 5, 2026. This notice is published under the UK's Procurement Act 2023, indicating a standard procurement procedure for government entities.
What to do next
- Review tender documents for printed book production services from The Open University.
- Complete and submit the Procurement Specific Questionnaire for Stage 1 if interested in participating.
Source document (simplified)
Tender
Printed Book Production/CFP/PRO/2026
- THE OPEN UNIVERSITY UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-021564
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-061152 (view related notices)
Published 10 March 2026, 7:49pm
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Contents
Scope Framework Submission Award criteria Other information Procedure Documents Contracting authority
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Reference
OUPA11620
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 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.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £6,500,000 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 October 2026 to 4 October 2028
- Possible extension to 4 October 2030
- 4 years Description of possible extension:
Two twelve (12) month extension periods.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
Printed books
Contract locations
- UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
2
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Call-off orders placed under the framework will be based on technical specifications, price, operational requirements, supplier capability, performance and available capacity.
Call-off orders will typically be placed by the OU’s production planning function through agreed ordering processes established with the suppliers during contract mobilisation.
Call-off orders will be placed in accordance with the agreed pricing schedules and rate cards submitted as part of the tender and incorporated into the resulting contracts with the two selected bidders.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Submission
Enquiry deadline
31 March 2026, 2:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
7 April 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
14 September 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Price | 1) Price 2) Commercial 3) Terms | Price | 55% |
| Quality | 1) Production Delivery and Implementation 2) Capacity and Resilience 3) Quality Assurance 4) Sustainability 5) Customer Service and Account Management | Quality | 45% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This is a multi-stage procurement.
The Open University (the “OU”) is seeking to establish a contract with two suppliers in a closed framework for the supply of printed book production.
The Competitive Flexible Procedure will consist of three stages:
Stage 1 PSQ (shortlist to 5 highest scoring bidders)
Stage 2 Invitation to Tender
Stage 3 Commercial Negotiation
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity
The procurement documents can be accessed via the link to the Open University's e-tendering portal.
Contracting authority
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): RC000391 Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
United Kingdom
Email: finance-tenders@open.ac.uk
Region: UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
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