Official UK procurement notice
Scientific Journal Access · UK public procurement notice
Authority: NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionProvision of subscription-based access to scientific journals and online research databases through Elsevier's ScienceDirect and Scopus platforms. The services include access to full-text peer-reviewed publications, bibliographic and citation databases, and analytical tools to support the contracting authority's research, teaching, and academic activities. The contract term is four years, with an option to extend for a further 12 months, giving a maximum duration of five years.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 14 Jul 2026, 08:59 BST
- Last source update
- 29 Jul 2026, 14:20 BST
- Authority reference
NNLC715- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-071749- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ca50Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights; Additional Repeat Extension Partial Replacement
- Published justification
The contracting authority intends to award the contract without prior publication due to the existence of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights.
Elsevier is the sole provider authorised to grant access to its proprietary scientific journals and research databases, including ScienceDirect and Scopus. These resources are protected by exclusive intellectual property rights and cannot be supplied by another economic operator.
No reasonable alternative or substitute exists, as other providers do not offer equivalent journal content, coverage, or citation data. The services are essential to support the authority's research and academic activities.
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 14 Jul 2026- Transparency notice published14 Jul 2026, 08:59 BSTUK5
- Contract award notice published29 Jul 2026, 14:20 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected12 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsevier B.V.Journal Access1 Oct 2026 – 30 Sept 2031 · up to 30 Sept 2032Extensions: Option to extend for a further 12 months beyond the initial four-year term, giving a maximum contract duration of six years. · Options: The right to purchase additional and enhanced subscription packages relevant to this contract. The contract will be reviewed annually with the option to include or exclude subscription packages. | £646,891 | 29 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Elsevier B.V.Awarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender