Scope
Reference
OPEN2025545
Description
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is seeking to appoint a single, suitably experienced partner to deliver a Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Infrastructure service. The aim of the Framework is to support a vibrant and growing local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector across the Borough.
The successful organisation will act as a leading strategic partner in the Borough, working with other leaders across sectors in alignment with the Borough's priorities and strategies, including the 'Stockton-on-Tees Plan 2024', the Fairer Stockton-on-Tees Strategic Framework and Powering our Future missions (as detailed in the Stockton-on-Tees Plan).
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2029
- 4 years
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The contract value from the formation of the Framework is £200,000 per year. The overall estimated value of the Framework is £1,000,000 and allows for the flexing of services, where a change to the scope of services is seen to be necessary.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
Contract locations
- UKC11 - Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
1
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
Not applicable
Justification for framework term over 4 years
Not applicable
Framework operation description
This is intended to be a Framework that is awarded to a top ranked sole supplier.
A fixed price has been initially been set for each year of the Framework based on previous funding for the range of services included in the current service specification.
Services will be called off as a direct award from the commencement date of the Framework.
The scope of services will be reviewed during the lifetime of the Framework and may be flexed to take into account emerging developments in priorities that occur in the VCSE sector and the priorities of the Contracting Authority.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
As stated in tender information.
Technical ability conditions of participation
As stated in tender information
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
16 July 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
23 July 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All submissions must be made via the OPEN Tender portal, hosted on the NEPO website at www.nepo.org (www.open.org)
This is an online tender process and responses must be submitted directly into the identified response fields. Attachments are allowed for some responses and this is identified on the relevant questions.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 August 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x Quality Questions as described in tender information aiming to demonstrate technical ability to delivery | Service Delivery Plan = 30% Service Resource Plan = 15% Ways of working = 20% Performance reporting and monitoring = 10% Infrastructure delivery = 25% Above Scores will then be further weighted to 90% of... |
Quality | 100% |
Other information
Payment terms
Payment will be made via a monthly scheduled payment based on 1/12 of the contract annual value.
Description of risks to contract performance
The scope of the services required under this Framework could change during the lifetime of this Framework resulting in the need for a change in scope of existing services or the need to introduce additional services into the Framework. This could result in a need to issue a contract change notice to vary the annual value of the Framework.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Stockton on Tees Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCVQ-6435-GNMW
Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Thornaby
Stockton on Tees
TS17 6BJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKC11 - Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government