Scope
Reference
NEPO502
Description
The Association of North East Councils Trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot Framework for Office Supplies, Educational & Catering Disposables 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:
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)
- £65,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Goods
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. General Office Supplies.
Description
This Lot will provide users with access to office supplies, including but not limited to; stationary, writing books, pens, folders and Office First Aid Supplies. Users will also have the ability to order items outside of the Core List (Non-Core) at a competitive price.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 30192000 - Office supplies
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. Electronic Office Consumables.
Description
This Lot will provide users with access to Electronic Office consumables, including but not limited to; printer ribbons and cartridges across a variety of manufacturers, as well as compatible items. Users will also have the ability to order items outside of the Core List (Non-Core) at a competitive price.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 30124000 - Parts and accessories of office machines
- 30125000 - Parts and accessories of photocopying apparatus
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. Educational Products.
Description
This lot will provide users with access to Educational Products, including but not limited to; Exercise Books, Art Suppliers, Planners, Diaries, Registers, and Exercise Paper. Users will also have the ability to order items outside of the Core List (Non-Core) at a competitive price.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 22111000 - School books
- 22112000 - Textbooks
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. Promotional Print Materials.
Description
This lot will provide users with access to personalisation of items including but not limited to; Lanyards, Badges, Mugs, Pens, Chargers, Tote Bags, Coasters, Note Books and Laptop Bags. Users will be able to utilise the Frameworks Tendered Cost Plus % Margin for reference purposes upon call-off. Users will then develop their own bespoke basket of requirements and will conduct a Mini/Further Competition with the awarded supplier(s).
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 39294100 - Information and promotion products
Same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. Catering Disposables.
Description
This lot will provide users with access to catering disposables, including but not limited to; catering foil, film fronted bags, paper cups, food bags, & disposable cutlery. Users will also have the ability to order items outside of the Core List (Non-Core) at a competitive price.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 39222000 - Catering supplies
Same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 6. Light Kitchen Equipment.
Description
This lot will provide users with access to Light Catering Equipment, including but not limited to; tableware, glassware, cutlery, and pots and pans. Users will also have the ability to order items outside of the Core List (Non-Core) at a competitive price.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 39221100 - Kitchenware
- 39221180 - Cooking utensils
- 39221210 - Plates
- 39221230 - Saucers
- 39223000 - Spoons, forks
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
18
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
2.5%
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 excess 2.5%
Framework operation description
The successful Tenderer will enter into a Framework Agreement (NEPO502 Office, Educational & Catering Supplies) with NEPO. This Framework will be made accessible to the Member Authorities and the Associate Members of NEPO 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.
Pricing will be fixed for the first 9 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 Mini/Further Competition. A Direct Award may be used to award to the Primary Awarded Supplier from lots 1, 2, 3, 5, & 6 of the Solution, however, Contracting Authorities reserve the right to award to the contingency awarded supplier as follows:
- Where a Contracting Authoriy has sufficient business or commercial reason and are able to establish an objective mechanism for supplier selection. Such as:
- In the event that the Primary Supplier is unable to meet their requirements. The rational may include, but not limited to, the necessity for urgency relating to timescales, or the availability of supply. 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 each lot of the Framework may be invited to participate in Mini/Further Competitions. The evaluation criteria for any Mini/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 and Associate 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
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. General Office Supplies.
Lot 2. Electronic Office Consumables.
Lot 3. Educational Products.
Lot 4. Promotional Print Materials.
Lot 5. Catering Disposables.
Lot 6. Light Kitchen Equipment.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
6 November 2025, 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)
29 January 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 65% |
| Quality | Quality | 25% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
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