Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2019-12-23
Buyer: Books Council of Wales
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
CPV classification: 48000000 | 48100000 | 48190000 | 48451000 | 72000000

Technical requirements: The Books Council of Wales is looking to replace a number of current IT systems with either a comprehensive ERP system or a core ERP system interfacing with separate modules or systems. The Books Council has a book wholesale and distribution business with a turnover of 2 700 000 GBP per annum and employs 15 staff. Prior knowledge of book distribution will be a key requirement. ICT is outsourced, but an ICT project manager will be appointed to oversee this project.
The Books Council of Wales is a registered charity, set up over 50 years ago to ensure that Welsh books or books of Welsh content are distributed effectively. After a period of growth, it acts as a distributor to some publishers, and as a Welsh wholesaler to other publishers. The distribution business has a net turnover of 2 700 000 GBP per annum and employs 15 members of staff.
The current system was introduced in 1996, and several developments over the period has meant a complex relationship with other bespoke products including ONIX feeds, EDI ordering, finance system, order to cash, title database, customer database and the e-commerce platform.
The Books Council of Wales is looking to replace a number of current IT systems with either a comprehensive ERP system or a core ERP system interfacing with separate modules or systems, and are open to variant bids on the best way of achieving this outcome. Preference would be given to systems which provide a warehouse management system and order replenishment systems.
The contract will be awarded for an initial term of 10 years with the option to extend the contract up to 10 further years. Please note that the contract requirements will be subject to available financial resources, supplier performance and flexibility to meet changing demands. Organisations should be aware that due to the nature of the services provided, any contract formed as a result of this procurement process shall be executed as a deed. Organisations should seek independent legal advice on the implications of this prior to submitting their bid, where appropriate.
It is imperative that all systems support the Welsh language and the extended Welsh character set. The core software can be in English, but all external communication must be in both Welsh and English. Text fields must support Welsh (and offer spelling corrections) as well as supporting characters. Certain fields may need to be completed in both Welsh and English (e.g. title descriptions) and reports must have the option for Welsh and/or English headings.
All websites must fully support Welsh. See www.gwales.com where users can select the Welsh or English version. Customers can further select whether correspondence is to be in Welsh or English and all emails and other communications must fully support Welsh.
Note: to register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=98407.