The British Library has embarked on a 3-5 year project to build a new online platform to replace its existing website.

The aim is to create an experience that matches the Library's impressive physical presence in
London and expands its reach to a broader UK and worldwide audience.

The Web Redevelopment Project will create a completely new website that will be much more coherent yet provide clear, targeted offers for researchers, learners, and the public.

It will engage users by providing a virtual venue for debate, collaboration, and the creation of new knowledge.

The new website will also drive operational efficiencies by rationalising the British Library's web infrastructure and provide a firm basis for meeting usage, revenue, and other KPI targets.

The project is proceeding in four stages, broadly as follows:

2011-12 Year 0: user experience, technical evaluation;

2012-13 Year 1: phase 1 work on public/learner and researcher offers, review of search;

2013-14 Year 2: phase 2 development of public/learner and researcher offers;

2014-15 Year 3: project completion: details to be confirmed during Years 1-2.

The framework arrangement will be constituted in three Lots, as follows:

Lot 1 - strategic aspects of web interface development.
The Library aims to bring an unprecedented unity of look and feel to its web eco-system and to establish its site as an inspiring destination for content and the creation of new knowledge.

This requires consistent ongoing advice on strategic aspects of the development of the web
interface.

Among these are maintenance of the high level information architecture, support for the branding, design, and interaction standards for the user interface, and guidance on specific initiatives.

The Library expects to select a single supplier for the provision of services under Lot 1.

Lot 2 - information architecture and web design.
The Library wants to create a small pool of highly skilled and very experienced digital agencies to engage in specific development projects covering individual areas of its overall web eco-system.

The aim is for the agencies to be completely familiar with the Library's information architecture, its design standards, and other aspects of its Global Experience Language so that when awarded a piece of work the output is consistent with and enhances the Library's web estate and is of high quality in its own right.

The Library expects to select multiple suppliers (maximum 5) for the provision of services under Lot 2.

Lot 3 - web usability testing.
The Library wants to create a small pool of highly skilled and very experienced suppliers able to provide it with lab-based usability testing services.

Suppliers should be able to recruit testers from profiles supplied by the Library, develop and agree with the Library a detailed discussion guide for each test, provide high quality facilities in London and elsewhere in the UK that allow for observation of the testing by Library personnel, facilitate the testing, agree outcomes with Library staff, provide detailed reports on the outcomes of the testing, and present these in person to Library stakeholders.