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From: Paul Davey
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 30/01/2003 13:32
Subject: JISC Invitation to tender: promoting ebooks in FE/HE
**apologies for cross postings**
Dear Colleagues
Invitation to Tender (for full details, or to download details, see
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/dner/ebooks/ebookspromotender.html otherwise see
below)
PROMOTING UPTAKE OF ELECTRONIC BOOKS IN HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Summary:
This invitation to Tender invites proposals to undertake a study which
will
recommend practical means for promoting the uptake of electronic books
within higher and further education. The study will be undertaken on a
consultancy basis.
The Maximum Funding Available is: £35,000. Deadline to receive
proposals:
24th February 2003
___________________________
Invitation to Tender
See summary above
Background
The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) is a committee of the UK
further and higher education funding bodies, dedicated to helping
institutions exploit the opportunities of information and communications
technology. One of the cornerstones of JISC strategy is the creation of
a
managed environment for accessing quality assured electronic information
resources. Electronic books, which include digital forms of major
reference
works, monographs and textbooks , represent a core strand of this
collection development strategy. The JISC E-Books Working Group, with a
membership of key stakeholders, is responsible for leading the
development
of electronic books for the benefit of UK further and higher education
communities. For further information on the JISC and on the activities
of
the Working Group, see http://www.jisc.ac.uk/ .
Purpose of study
Electronic books have been launched in the UK within the context of an
evolving publishing and bookselling industry. A range of new and
traditional suppliers have entered the market, offering a variety of
innovative products and services, often with brands and product names
not
yet familiar or well-established within the UK. A lack of awareness of
e-books within the academic sector has been highlighted by market
research
currently being undertaken by the JISC E-Books Working Group . The
research
also indicates that the potential benefits of the resource are not
always
fully perceived within the community.
Many institutions have purchased e-books in some form, yet librarians
express concern that their efforts to market e-books to their users have
had little impact to date. At the same time, the view has been expressed
within the sector that publishers need to promote e-books more
effectively.
Access to e-books is of critical importance to librarians engaged in
collection management, and also to the academic community, but
librarians
report that it can be extremely difficult to track down the availability
of
specific titles or collections in electronic format. Bibliographic
access
to titles is one facet of the wider debate about bibliographic control
of
electronic materials. Inherent in bibliographic control of e-books are
the
issues of harvesting metadata and DOIs.
A key goal for the Working Group is to ensure that e-books are taken up
and
exploited as fully and as soon as possible. This study will inform the
Group how it might work with all stakeholders, including librarians and
other learner support professionals, publishers, professional bodies and
academics to promote electronic books within institutions and to
integrate
them into teaching, learning and research. It should define the role of
each stakeholder in ensuring that e-books can be readily discovered and
accessed. The successful bidder will recommend means by which e-books
can
be promoted effectively across the HE and FE sectors. The focus of the
report will be on short-term, practical measures but may also consider
longer term issues.
Study Terms of Reference
1. To assess the demand for e-books within the sector and at
institutional
level
This should include:
An industry overview, looking at specific types of e-book or e-book
service, their key attributes and impact to date.
Broad perceptions of the 'e-book experience', including identification
of
core user segments, their attitudes to e-books and uptake.
An assessment of current demand for e-books within UK higher and further
education, including an analysis of factors impacting on demand and
actual
use.
A review of current barriers such as technological, legal, economic,
organisational and cultural issues.
2. An assessment of e-book distribution
An investigation and review of existing barriers within the supply chain
that influence purchasing and acquisition by institutions. These will
include mechanisms for discovering electronic books and problems of
bibliographic access and control, including a review of metadata and
other
relevant standards. Recommendations on how e-books can be integrated
more
effectively into the acquisitions processes of libraries.
A summary and evaluation of the mechanisms by which users may discover
and
make use of electronic book material, for example, OPACs, MLEs and
publisher Web sites. Identification of case studies of good practice and
recommendations for new approaches that might be taken.
3. Promotion of e-books within the sector
An assessment of promotional strategies of publishers, booksellers and
other e-book intermediaries, such as content aggregators. Examples of
good
practice found and recommended ways forward.
An analysis of the approaches to e-book promotion within individual
institutions or across organisational groupings, such as library
consortia,
both within the UK and internationally. Examples of good practice and
suggestions for innovation.
An appraisal of current promotional or awareness-raising programmes of
key
professionals within the academic sector, including academic staff,
librarians and other learner support professionals. Examples of good
practice and recommended strategies for development.
The production of a promotions plan for e-books at a national and
sectoral
level, with suggested models for individual institutions to adopt. The
latter may take the applied form of a practical guide which could be
accessed and utilised by staff in institutions.
Recommended roles for all key stakeholders, including publishers,
booksellers, librarians and academics for the effective marketing of
electronic books within the academic community. Recommendations on how
these groups might work together more effectively to promote electronic
books, including appropriate roles for the JISC E-Books Working Group.
Deliverables
A study for publication to be shared within the higher and further
education community. The draft report will be completed by the 30th
August
for approval by the JISC E-Books Working Group.
Reporting
The successful bidder will be steered in this work by members of the
JISC
E-Books Working Group. Monthly progress reports must be submitted to
Louise
Edwards, JISC Collections Manager.
Cost
An upper limit of £35,000, inclusive of VAT, is available to undertake
this
work. 50% of the agreed fee will be paid upon award of the contract and
50%
upon completion of a satisfactory report. Bids will be judged on the
value
for money represented by their use of resources. Tenderers are required
to
provide a full breakdown of costs for the entire duration of the
project.
Evaluation process and criteria
An evaluation panel will be established with representation from the
JISC
E-Books Working Group and external assessors. Bidders may be required to
make a presentation to the panel of assessors and to answers questions
on
the presentation and specific aspects of the bid.
The Criteria for assessing proposals will be:
Demonstration of understanding of the related/relevant issues and
relevant
experience.
The extent to which the proposal addresses the terms of reference and
demonstrates the use of robust methods to undertake the work.
The extent to which the proposal demonstrates convincing financial
plans.
Methodology - the likelihood of success of the proposed methodology and
the
degree of value for money it represents.
Project management - demonstration of the project team's and
organisation's
potential to manage and deliver a successful project, including level of
organisational support.
Timescale
The invitation to tender is issued on Thursday 30th January and the
deadline for responses is Monday 24th February. We aim to notify all
bidders of the outcome by 12th March. The latest start time for the
project
is 1st April 2003 and all work must be completed by 30th September.
Further information
Queries related to this tender document should be addressed to Louise
Edwards, JISC Collections Manager, [log in to unmask], tel. 01234
754440.
Proposals
Proposals should be emailed to Joanna Harrison ([log in to unmask]).
It
is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that the email has arrived
by
the deadline of 24th February.
Responses should include:
Key contact and names of personnel involve in the work
Outline of previous relevant experience
Outline of work plan explaining how you would address aims and
objectives
of the terms of reference which will include a detailed description of
methods and timescales.
Budget: A budget that in broad outline identifies how funds will be
spent
over the life of the project, including a breakdown of funding across
academic years (which run from August to July). Staff costs, equipment
and
consumables, travel and subsistence (if applicable) dissemination,
evaluation and other costs should be identified. An indication of
institutional/organisational contributions (e.g. overheads, equipment,
staff time) should also be given as appropriate.
The proposal should no longer than 8 pages A4 and text should be no less
than 10pt.
The JISC reserves the right not to choose any bidder who tenders for
this
contract.
_________________________
Paul Davey
JISC Communications Officer
King's College London
Strand Bridge House
138 - 142 The Strand
WC2R 1HH
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7848 2554/2935
Mobile: +44 (0)78666 88614
Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2939
Email: [log in to unmask]
JISC London Web site - www.jisc.ac.uk/dner
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