SHEDL eBook Collections - Elsevier
Framework Description
SHEDL eBook Collections - Elsevier is an APUC agreement with Elsevier B.V. that gives member institutions of the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) access to Elsevier's Freedom eBook Collection, free of digital rights management (DRM). It is a single-lot, single-publisher agreement rather than a DPS. The current term ends on 28 February 2027, with an option to extend by 12 months to 28 February 2028.
Context & Use Case
The buyers are the Scottish universities and colleges in the SHEDL consortium, licensing e-content together through APUC rather than each library negotiating separately with Elsevier. The need is shared, DRM-free online access to academic eBooks for students and researchers across every member institution. Because the agreement is with one publisher, members take up access on the terms APUC has agreed rather than running a further competition.
Scope of Services
Elsevier Freedom eBook Collection DRM-free online access for SHEDL member institutions Single consortium licence covering all members Single lot
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
The agreement is held by Elsevier B.V. alone, so no other supplier can join it. Other academic publishers and eBook aggregators should note that SHEDL content is bought publisher by publisher, and the next chance here is a re-procurement around 28 February 2027, or 28 February 2028 if the extension is used.
Buyer Benefits
Library directors get one licence negotiated by APUC for all SHEDL members, with DRM-free access that lets students read and download without platform restrictions. Buying as a consortium strengthens their position with a major publisher, and it spares each university a separate procurement for what is effectively a single-source publisher product.
Next Steps
Read APUC's notice on Public Contracts Scotland (FEB523615) for how the agreement was set up. Other publishers wanting a SHEDL agreement should watch for APUC's decision on the 12-month extension ahead of 28 February 2027, look out for a re-procurement or new SHEDL collection notice, and have evidence of DRM-free licensing and consortium pricing ready before it appears.
How Athena Can Help
Agreements like this are re-procured publisher by publisher, so the real work is being ready when APUC next goes to market. Athena can build a 6–12 month view of SHEDL and other consortium library agreements through our framework registration support, and give clear bid/no-bid advice on each one.
When a notice lands, our bid writing team drafts responses to the evaluation criteria, models pricing and licence terms against likely rivals, and runs a compliance check before submission.
