Scope
Reference
118_25
Description
This is for a Preliminary market engagement (PME) where the tender documentation is not yet available. However, interest (Expressions of interest) can still be registered (see below for details on how to complete, and please also refer to the Engagement Section for further details on this).
An ESPO national framework for the provision of weather forecasting services.
To express an interest:
(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '118_25' (via "View Opportunities" from the 'EastMidsTenders' Portal); d) Express an interest.
Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation.
For further details on the Procurement Act, including registration on the Central Digital Platform, this can be found as follows:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/information-and-guidance-for-suppliers
Or otherwise, please refer to the ESPO Website as follows:
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £20,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2027
- Possible extension to 30 September 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71351600 - Weather-forecasting services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
9 May 2025
Engagement process description
Suppliers will be engaged with via a Request for Information (RFI) survey exercise. The aims of the engagement are:
• To engage with providers in the market
• To obtain views on the procurement process to be used
• To assess the market's capacity to meet ESPO's requirements
• To assess any changes to the market
• To identify any potential risks or challenges in the market
• To determine which social value is relevant to the market
• To ensure the market is prepared for carbon reduction plans to be included as a condition of participation for the procurement
For the purposes of this Preliminary market engagement (PME), please express your interest as follows:
(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '118_25' (via "View Opportunities" from the 'EastMidsTenders' Portal); d) Express an interest.
Once you have expressed an interest, the RFI documentation can be accessed via the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - please access the Activity dashboard for this).
In the case of any questions or clarifications relating to this PME, these should also be submitted to ESPO as a Message on the eProcurement Portal (again once an Expression of interest has been completed).
Economic operators should note that this is a preliminary market engagement exercise (and NOT a competitive tender process at this stage). The participation of an economic operator in this preliminary market engagement will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and the Contracting Authority/Client. An economic operator's participation, or lack of participation, in this preliminary market engagement shall not impact the ability of the economic operator to participate in any resulting tender exercise. Economic operators should note that any interest indicated does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
23 May 2025
Contracting authority
Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDD-1122-TCVN
Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby
Leicester
LE19 1ES
United Kingdom
Contact name: Place and Environment Procurement Team
Email: tenders@espo.org
Website: https://www.espo.org/
Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government