Published date: 28 April 2021

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 21 May 2021, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£25,000 to £50,000

Procurement reference

BIP589496160

Published date

28 April 2021

Closing date

21 May 2021

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

31 May 2021

Contract end date

19 July 2021

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

Many library services are facing an unprecedented financial challenge in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although it has been widely acknowledged that library services have played a huge part in supporting their communities throughout the pandemic, there is a danger that the successes of digital library provision are perceived by decision makers as an opportunity to reduce the physical library offer and ease some of the financial pressures local authorities will be facing.

Public libraries have the potential to play a key role in the recovery and renewal of our communities. They deliver tangible benefits to the local economy, educational outcomes and the health and well being of all in our communities and especially the most vulnerable. The libraries team wish to commission an advocacy film to illustrate that a robust and appropriately invested library service is vital to community recovery and to support library Heads of Service's conversations with decision makers within local authorities.

The film will demonstrate that libraries promote access to reading, training, digital skills, trusted information and cultural experiences to people at every stage of their lives. Libraries Connected have identified five key areas where libraries can play a central role in meeting the needs of individuals and communities who may be struggling to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 crisis. These are:

•Economic recovery with help and training for job seekers and entrepreneurs, making links between how libraries can support high street renewal by driving footfall and forming part of an experiential offer in addition to retail.
•Education support for children and SEND students who struggled to learn at home
•Isolation mitigation for vulnerable groups and to help people to reconnect locally
•Digital inclusion for residents who lack IT skills or have no access to the Internet
•Cultural partnership to help local artists and arts organisations to continue their work.

Please note: to access the tender documentation and to bid for the opportunity you must log-in to the e-Sourcing portal.

More information

Links

Additional text

The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

About the buyer

Contact name

Procurement

Address

Bloomsbury Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1B 3HF
UK

Telephone

01619344317

Email

procurement.services@artscouncil.org.uk