Scope
Description
Nexus Multi Academy Trust (Nexus) is seeking to establish a framework for the provision of ICT products, solutions, services and associated support, delivered through a Neutral Vendor Managed Service model.
Nexus are a CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme accredited Multi Academy Trust (supported through the DfE ESCC/TALI initiative) and a partner of the Positive Change Alliance (PCA), which comprises 10 multi academy trusts with in excess of 100 schools.
Nexus have identified the need to continue the provision of a compliant route to market to access a range of ICT Products, Solutions, Services and support to meet the diverse needs of Education and other Public Sector and associated organisations.
The Framework will be established directly by Nexus Multi Academy Trust and will be open for use by all public sector contracting authorities, including but not limited to:
• Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools
• Further and higher education institutions
• Local authorities and associated bodies
• Other bodies governed by public law
While the framework is primarily designed to meet the needs of the education sector, it will be structured to ensure it is accessible and suitable for use across the wider public sector.
Proposed scope of the Framework:
The Framework is expected to provide a compliant route to market for a broad range of ICT products, solutions and services, which may include (but are not limited to):
• End-user devices and peripherals
• Networking, infrastructure and connectivity solutions
• Cloud and on-premise software and licensing
• Cyber security and data protection solutions
• Managed ICT services and support
• Design, implementation, integration and lifecycle support
The Framework will operate using a Neutral Vendor Managed Service model, under which the appointed framework supplier will be responsible for:
• Impartially managing and integrating competing sub-contractors and manufacturers
• Ensuring customer choice, competition and best value at call-off
• Coordinating delivery, maintenance, support and interoperability across ICT categories
Further detail on scope will be provided within the UK4 Tender Notice and associated procurement documentation.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 30000000 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 35261000 - Information panels
- 42960000 - Command and control system, printing, graphics, office automation and information-processing equipment
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services
- 51000000 - Installation services (except software)
- 64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services
- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
19 January 2026
Engagement process description
Nexus Multi Academy Trust
300 Meadowhall Way
Sheffield
S9 1EA
19th January 2026 - 10:00am
Purpose of Engagement:
This pre-market engagement event is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023 for information purposes only. It aims to help us better understand the market, test initial thinking, and inform the development of our future procurement strategy and requirements.
Nature of Engagement:
This is not a procurement competition.
No tender or award process is being run at this stage.
Participation in any pre-market engagement activity or attendance at any pre-market engagement events does not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process and does not form part of any evaluation. Nexus MAT reserves the right to amend or cancel this engagement at any time without notice.
Indicative Future Approach:
Our current intention is to use the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023.
We are considering a multi-stage approach, which may include stages such as selection, dialogue or refinement, and final tender submission. This indication is non- binding and subject to change.
The final design of any future procurement process will be set out in formal procurement documentation if and when published.
Information Sharing and Fairness:
All information shared during this engagement event will be high-level and may include confidential information. Participants must not disclose commercially sensitive or confidential information where it has been indicated as such.
Key themes and insights will be recorded, and a summary may be shared with the wider market to ensure transparency. Individual supplier comments will not be attributed.
Nexus MAT is committed to equal treatment and transparency throughout this process.
Next Steps:
Please confirm your attendance at this initial pre-market engagement event by emailing commercial@nexusmat.org no later than 12:00pm on Thursday 15th January 2026.
This session is limited to 2 attendees per organisation.
Questions relating to any future procurement process will be addressed through formal procurement documentation once published.
By participating, suppliers acknowledge and accept these conditions.
This is an in-person event only. Dependent on uptake we may also do a further online session however this is not guaranteed.
For the avoidance of doubt, and in accordance with the Planned Procurement Notice, this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) event is aimed primarily at organisations that may be interested in bidding to act as an independent, neutral operator of the proposed framework on behalf of Nexus Multi Academy Trust.
The planned PME event, and the subsequent procurement procedure, will be less directly relevant to organisations that are interested solely in becoming approved providers to the framework once it has been established.
While all organisations are welcome to engage in the PME event, those whose interest is limited to supplying ICT goods and/or services through the framework once operational, and under the management of a neutral operator appointed through this competition, may prefer to wait until the framework is live and the relevant supplier approval and onboarding processes are in place.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
2 March 2026
Contracting authority
NEXUS MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Companies House: 10075893
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTTP-6394-HXPP
Hilltop School Larch Road
Rotherham
S66 8AZ
United Kingdom
Email: commercial@nexusmat.org
Region: UKE31 - Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government