Scope
Reference
NEPO504
Description
The Association of North East Councils Trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of election and electoral registration printing and related services for use by contracting authorities throughout the North East region.
NEPO intends to award further successive frameworks at least every 2 and 5 years until expiry of the Framework Agreement term. As such, suppliers which have not been appointed to this Framework will have the opportunity to be appointed to the subsequent framework.
Suppliers wishing to access and complete the tender documents must first register on Open the eTendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org.
For guidance on how to create an account or submit your questionnaire response through Open, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training (https://www.open-hub.org/training) to access the available Training Guides. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via email at open.support@nepo.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £75,000,000 excluding VAT
- £90,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2033
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 22000000 - Printed matter and related products
- 79800000 - Printing and related services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
30 November 2033
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
1%
Further information about fees
NEPO operates a contract rebate arrangement whereby Suppliers are asked to repay NEPO a set percentage of each invoice in respect of orders placed by NEPO or any Contracting Authority accessing the Framework. The maximum rebate taken by NEPO against the value of awarded contracts will not exceed 1.0%.
Framework operation description
The successful tenderer will enter into a Framework Agreement (NEPO504 Election and Electoral Registration Print) with NEPO. This Framework will be made accessible to the North East Member Authorities via Call-Off Contracts. NEPO will establish overarching terms and conditions that define the core principles of the Framework.
When a Contracting Authority with an active Call-Off identifies a need that can be met under the Framework, they will enter into a project-specific agreement with the awarded supplier. These project-specific terms and conditions will be developed in agreement between the Contracting Authority and the supplier.
Pricing will be determined through the tender process and evaluated against predefined award criteria and associated weightings. All tenders will be assessed accordingly.
Pricing submitted as part of this framework will apply to requirements within the North East region only.
Pricing will be fixed for the first 12 months of the Framework. Thereafter Suppliers will have the opportunity to provide NEPO with a pricing review notification to conduct an annual pricing review using the NEPO Pricing Review Notification Process.
Contracting Authorities may establish Call-Off Contracts through either Direct Award or Further Competition. A Direct Award may be used where the Contracting Authority objectively determines that a supplier can fully meet their specific requirements, such as defined scope, delivery timelines, risk management and project continuity and where, if multiple suppliers are capable, the chosen supplier provides the best overall value for money and quality. 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 tendered rates within the Framework.
All suppliers awarded to the Framework may be invited to participate in Further Competitions. The evaluation criteria for any Further Competition 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.
The Framework will be established as an Open Framework under section 49 of the Procurement Act. The second Framework will be awarded before the third anniversary of the commencement date, it is estimated this will be Q2/2028. As such, suppliers which have not been appointed to the first Framework will have the opportunity to be appointed to a subsequent Framework. Following the second Framework, NEPO intends to award further successive Frameworks at least every 3 years until expiry of the Open Framework term, which will not exceed eight years in total (in accordance with section 49(2)(c) of the Act).
NEPO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reopen the Open Framework throughout its term to award a successive Framework in the scheme. NEPO may exercise this right where there is a need to increase capacity in the market or to respond to emerging market conditions or to address additional works requirements or to replace a supplier due to failure/poor performance/material breaches. In each case, a Tender Notice shall be published informing suppliers of the procurement process for the next Framework in the scheme.
Each Framework under the Open Framework will expire on the award of the next Framework in the scheme. However, if a Framework expires while a process for the award of a Call-off Contract is ongoing, a Contracting Authority may continue to process and award the Call-off Contract as though the Framework had not expired.
NEPO reserves the right not to procure or award any successive Framework in the Open Framework scheme.
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
The Solution will be available for use by NEPO Member Authorities and any associated organisation only.
NEPO Member Authorities Include:
Darlington Borough Council
Durham County Council
Gateshead Council
Hartlepool Borough Council
Middlesbrough Council
Newcastle City Council
North Tyneside Council
Northumberland County Council
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
South Tyneside Council
Stockton On Tees Borough Council
Sunderland City Council
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UKC - North East (England)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
5 August 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All submissions must be via Open https://www.open-uk.org/.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
20 October 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 December 2027
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
| Social Value (Quality) | Quality | 10% |
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: cdpnepoteam@nepo.org
Website: http://www.nepo.org
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government