Planning

NEPO214 - GROUNDS MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT & PLANT

  • THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-056395

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-052746 (view related notices)

Published 15 September 2025, 7:42am



Scope

Reference

NEPO214

Description

The Association of North East Councils Limited trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) seeks to establish a Framework for the supply of Grounds Maintenance Equipment, Plant and Handheld Tools on a purchase or hire (with or without operator) basis.

The Framework will be available to all Members and Associate Members of NEPO. A full list of NEPO Members is available here https://www.nepo.org/about and a full list of Associate Members is available here http://nepo.org/associate-membership/list.

The Framework will also be available to all current and future members of The Procurement Partnership Limited (TPPL). A list of TPPL members can be obtained from https://www.tppl.co.uk/about-us/.

This preliminary market engagement notice provides advance notice to the marketplace of the tendering opportunity and NEPO's intention to undertake market consultation activities with suppliers to help shape the future framework.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

  • £160,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030
  • 4 years

Main procurement category

Goods

CPV classifications

  • 43325100 - Grounds-maintenance equipment
  • 77314000 - Grounds maintenance services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Engagement

Engagement deadline

17 October 2025

Engagement process description

NEPO intend to publish a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire via the OPEN e-Tendering system (www.open-uk.org). The questionnaire responses will help NEPO design the Framework by providing the level of market interest and provide insight from suppliers on the shaping of the future provision.

The questionnaire will be made accessible via OPEN on 17/09/25 with a submission deadline of 16:00 on 30/09/25. Suppliers wishing to access and complete the questionnaire must first register on OPEN using the link above.

For guidance on how to create an account or submit your questionnaire response through OPEN, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training to access the available Training Guides. Should you require technical assistance from the OPEN Support team, this can be requested via 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.

NEPO also intend to hold a Market Engagement event* with interested suppliers via Microsoft Teams on 01/10/25. This event will include a presentation and Q&A. Suppliers wishing to attend this event are required to register their interest via email to michelle.graham@nepo.org by 16:00 on 24/09/25.

*Attendance is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Nor does it constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement.

Please note the above information may be subject to change.


Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

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

Region: UKC22 - Tyneside

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government