NOTE EXTENDED DEADLINE of 31st January to allow prospective freelancers the opportunity to view the collection prior to tender.  If you wish to arrange a site visit please contact me via e-mail.

Survey of Sutton Coldfield Library’s Archives & Local Studies Collections – QU316

Sutton Coldfield archive comprises around 500 linear metres of shelving and c.400 records management boxes of archival and local history material that includes:

•	the records of Sutton Borough Council from the mid-19th century to c.1974
•	an extensive collection of local authority building plans
•	historic newspapers
•	photographic collections
•	material relating to the 9th Scout Jamboree held in Sutton Coldfield in 1957
•	Civil Defence records
•	local history published works

The archive is currently stored in three separate store rooms at the library site at Lower Parade, Sutton Coldfield.

In order to preserve and protect the material for the benefit of all stakeholders, there needs to be a long-term and sustainable arrangement for the future of these archive and local studies collections.  To this end, it is necessary for the Town Council to obtain a professional, impartial view, together with recommendations and costings, as to what is appropriate and achievable for the preservation and accessibility of the collections. 

To facilitate this, the Council requires a supplier for the provision of work to comprise:

1)	Preliminary work to provide intellectual control of the collections and an appraisal of the conservation and preservation needs of the collection.  This will inform:

2)	Production of a report to present recommendations for the future of the collections, to include costed option, with time scales, for future cataloguing/intellectual control work, conservation and preservation work.  The report will need to give consideration to the provision of EN 16893:2018 compliant storage and access to the material by stakeholders.

The anticipated length of the project will be 6 months.

The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity please click on the following link to access https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ and submit your details to register. You will then be sent details on how to log on which will enable you to download all relevant Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation.  

If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please either email us at: [log in to unmask] or call CPS Helpdesk on 0121 464 8000.

Your completed tender submission should be returned by Noon on 31st January 2020 via the ‘in-tend’ system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc

Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask]

For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra