Purpose

Bristol Libraries has a contract with Askews to supply library books to all Bristol Libraries. The contract was awarded through the NEPO framework in October 2022 for 3 years, with optional extensions of 2 x 1-year extensions. The second of the one-year extensions is now required. The current end date of the contract is 30 September 2026. The contract allows for a spend up to an upper limit.

Decision

To agree the one-year extension on the library book contract from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.

Alternative options considered

If the extension was not taken up, a new procurement exercise would be required. This was rejected as the contract is working well, has good terms for the service and the council and a new procurement would be time consuming and possibly result in poorer terms.