Scope
Reference
NEPO536
Description
NEPO seeks to establish a Framework for the provision of a Financial Resilience Solution (NEPRO x Financial Resilience). NEPO is seeking to establish a Solution for the supply of a suite of financial based services that can be deployed in a compliant and efficient manner to support public sector organisations in creating improved financial resilience under the banner of NEPRO x Financial Resilience. It is envisaged NEPRO x Financial Resilience will be delivered by a single or limited vendor / partner model to deliver this Solution.
The Solution will be procured using the procedures outlined in the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023)
The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide prior information to the market on the intentions of NEPO to procure such a framework. This notice also provides an open invite to market engagement meetings.
The provision of this Solution will allow Contracting Authorities to engage with a partner to support and guide them in relation to improving financial resilience in a more efficient and cost-effective model. This model will allow authorities to utilise the Solution to deliver specialist projects that support improving the current and future fiscal landscape, it will support upskilling their workforce, embrace innovative solutions in their organisations, and support future financial challenges faced by the public sector.
From research already undertaken and initial market analysis, NEPO has combined the general business requirements for a public sector organisation with financial resilience objectives, as follows:
• A partner capable of deploying solutions at pace.
• Relevant capacity, capability, and demonstrable experience.
• Fully costed services with clear savings targets and ROI
• Flexibility to offer either a full range of services or a tailored selection based on engagement needs.
• A strong commitment to fostering a proactive, preventative approach rather than a reactive one. An ecosystem of supporting partners to ensure successful delivery.
• Transparent and proportionate rebates A clear focus on Social Value and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benefits offered through the solution.
The estimated value included in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is based on projected volumes per annum and extrapolated across the future framework period. The value may however be subject to change on the basis of design development between publication of the Preliminary Market Engagement Notice and Tender notice.
NEPO is a Centralised Procurement Authority as defined in the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). As a Centralised Procurement Authority, NEPO may provide central purchasing activity on behalf of contracting authorities (as defined by PA23). The framework will be available for use by all NEPO Members. A list of member organisations is available in the About section of the NEPO website at: https://nepo.org
This framework will also be made available to all current and future NEPO Associate Members. Current Associate Members are listed in the Associate Member section of the NEPO website: https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/permissible-users
NEPO intends to make the future framework available for use by all contracting authorities throughout all administrative regions of the UK (as defined by the Procurement Act 2023) including but not limited to: Central Government Departments and their Agencies, local Government Departments and their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Central Government, NHS Bodies (including ambulance services), Local Authorities, Emergency Services (including Police and Fire rescue), Coastguard Emergency Services, Educational Establishments (including academies), Registered Social Landlords, Registered Charities who have a need to purchase the above services and any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament. Please see the following websites for further details:
A complete list of permissible users is shown on the NEPO website below: https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/permissible-users
Organisations wishing to access the NEPO agreement will be required to register as a NEPO Associate Member in the first instance.
Further information can be found at: www.nepo.org
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £4,000,000,000 excluding VAT
- £4,800,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 48440000 - Financial analysis and accounting software package
- 48812000 - Financial information systems
- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- GG - Guernsey
- IM - Isle of Man
- JE - Jersey
Engagement
Engagement deadline
11 April 2025
Engagement process description
The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold preliminary market engagement meetings with suppliers to help shape the future Framework. The preliminary market engagement meetings are advertised openly via this notice but are limited to a particular number of meetings. Preliminary market engagement meetings will take place between 24/03/2025 - 28/03/2025. The preliminary market engagement meetings are advertised openly using this notice.
The "Market Consultation Questionnaire" (Market engagement invite) will be made accessible via the Open e-tendering system on Wednesday 26th February 2025 with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. on Wednesday 12th March 2025.
Suppliers wishing to access and complete the "Market Consultation Questionnaire" (Market engagement invite) must first register on the e-tendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org.
Within the Questionnaire, Suppliers will be given the opportunity to register for a market engagement meeting via directly emailing NEPRO to select two meeting dates highlighting their preferred choice.
Preliminary market engagement meetings are limited in number and will take place the week commencing Monday 24th March 2025. Appointments will be no longer than 150 mins.
NEPO intends to conduct these sessions in person in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. In person meetings will be determined via correspondence but are expected to take place at NEPO's offices. The time and location of each appointment will be confirmed following the registration deadline. NEPO may, by exception, use its discretion to facilitate online meetings in the event that in-person meetings are not feasible for suppliers. Places will be secured on a first-come, first-serve basis via directly emailing NEPRO to select two meeting dates highlighting their preferred choice.
Suppliers wishing to attend the preliminary market engagement meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements outlined within this notification.
NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place. Attendance at the market engagement is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Attendance also does not constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement.
Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake. In addition to the preliminary market engagement meetings, NEPO may also publish a preliminary market engagement questionnaire via our Open E-Procurement system. Should this be issued, the questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market engagement meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO536 Framework design. Should the questionnaire be issued, this will be published through Open for access and completion.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
30 April 2025
Contracting authority
THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED
- Companies House: 05014821
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYVX-2132-JNMM
Northern Design Centre
Gateshead
NE8 3DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Gavin Rimmington
Telephone: 0191 638 0040
Email: cdpnepoteam@nepo.org
Website: http://www.nepo.org
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government