Scope
Description
The Association of North East Councils trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) in partnership with The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot Framework Agreement for Grounds Maintenance, Equipment & Plant for use by contracting authorities throughout the United Kingdom.
NEPO intends to publish an Invitation to Tender via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Framework Agreement must register their expression of interest and submit a tender through the NEPO eTendering system. If not
already registered, candidates should register on the Open eTender system at https://www.nepo.org/open
Tenders must be submitted using the link above. Tenders submitted via post or email methods will not be accepted.
Guidance for how to create an account, search for opportunities and respond is included within the Supplier's hub. If you require further support please email open.support@nepo.org
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £200,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Goods
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
There will be an unlimited number of suppliers appointed to the framework.
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications and options are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. Grounds Maintenance Equipment and Horticultural Chemicals
Description
Lot 1 covers the supply/purchase of a wide range of grounds maintenance equipment, associated implements, attachments, spare parts, maintenance packages, and related services. This lot also includes the supply of horticultural chemicals and treatments used in grounds maintenance, including but not limited to fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and growth regulators.
Lot value (estimated)
- £200,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 03100000 - Agricultural and horticultural products
- 16000000 - Agricultural machinery
- 24400000 - Fertilisers and nitrogen compounds
- 34144000 - Special-purpose motor vehicles
Same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Agricultural and Construction Plant Equipment
Description
Lot 2 covers the supply/purchase of new (with refurbished/demonstrator options by exception) agricultural and construction plant equipment, associated implements, attachments, spare parts, and maintenance/servicing packages.
Lot value (estimated)
- £200,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 16000000 - Agricultural machinery
- 42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery
- 43200000 - Earthmoving and excavating machinery, and associated parts
- 43300000 - Construction machinery and equipment
- 43600000 - Parts of machinery for mining, quarrying and construction
Same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Handheld Tools and Equipment
Description
Lot 3 covers the supply/purchase of new handheld tools and accessories, including all electrically powered (corded and cordless), battery-powered, petrol/diesel-powered, pneumatic, and manually operated mechanical tools used in grounds/landscape maintenance, horticultural and construction environments.
Lot value (estimated)
- £200,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 42600000 - Machine tools
- 44511000 - Hand tools
- 44512000 - Miscellaneous hand tools
Same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Hire of Equipment Operated or Unoperated
Description
Lot 4 covers the hire (with or without operator for certain items) of all equipment types specified under Lots 1, 2, and 3, plus additional tools, equipment, and powered plant required for planned, emergency, or ad-hoc works. Includes delivery, set-up, de-mobilisation, and where required, fuel, consumables and on-site supervision.
Lot value (estimated)
- £200,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The hire rates submitted under lot 4 for grounds and plant equipment will form the basis of a rate book to be used by members seeking to hire those items via the Framework. This does not limit members from accessing this lot of the Framework to hire equipment not covered by the rate book.
CPV classifications
- 44511000 - Hand tools
- 44512000 - Miscellaneous hand tools
- 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 77111000 - Hire of agricultural machinery with operator
- 77112000 - Hire of mowers or agricultural equipment with operator
Same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
3%
Framework operation description
The successful Tenderer will enter into a Framework Agreement (NEPO214 - Grounds Maintenance, Equipment & Plant) with NEPO & TPPL. This Framework will be made accessible to the Member Authorities and the Associate Members of NEPO and TPPL via Call-Off contracts. NEPO will establish overarching terms and conditions that define the core principles of the Framework.
Pricing will be determined through the tender process and evaluated against predefined award criteria and associated weightings. All tenderers will be assessed accordingly.
Pricing submitted as part of this Framework will apply to requirements nationally.
Under the Framework, the pricing for goods purchased via Lots 1 - 3 shall be in accordance with the results of a Further Competition or for the purposes of Direct Award the price for the goods as advised by the Supplier to the Agent based upon the exact specification identified.
The hire rates submitted for Lot 4 will form the basis of a rate book to be used by Contracting Authorities seeking to hire those items via the Framework. Pricing for the rate book will be held fixed for each 12-month period of the Framework and adjusted following an annual refresh process. This does not limit Contracting Authorities from accessing this lot of the Framework to hire equipment not covered by the rate book.
Contracting Authorities may establish Call-Off contracts through either Direct Award or Mini/Further Competition. A Direct Award may be used where the Contracting Authority objectively determine that there are benefits and rationale, this rationale may include but is not limited to: necessity for urgency relating to timescales, the complexity of the project or continuity of works.
This is subject to the Contracting Authority's internal procurement and legal guidelines permitting a Direct Award.
In cases of Direct Award, pricing will be based on the Tenderers rates within the Framework Agreement.
All suppliers awarded to the Framework may be invited to participate in Further Competitions. The evaluation criteria for any Further Competitions will be specified by the Contracting Authority and included in the competition documentation. Suppliers will be required to submit pricing based on the specific project requirements.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
The Framework will be open and accessible to all NEPO Member Authorities, Associate Members and TPPL Members.
A full list of NEPO Member Authorities can be found - https://www.nepo.org/about
A full list of Associate Members can be found - https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/current-associate-members
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Grounds Maintenance Equipment and Horticultural Chemicals
Lot 2. Agricultural and Construction Plant Equipment
Lot 3. Handheld Tools and Equipment
Lot 4. Hire of Equipment Operated or Unoperated
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
16 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
NEPO intends to publish an Invitation to Tender via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Framework must register their expression of interest and submit a tender through the Open eTendering system at https://open-uk.org/
Tenders must be submitted via the link above. Submissions via email or post will not be accepted.
Guidance for how to create an account, search for opportunities and respond is included within the Suppliers Hub. If you require further support please email open.support@nepo.org
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 70% |
| Quality | Quality | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
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
Email: fleet@nepo.org
Website: http://www.nepo.org
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government