Tender

991_26 Supply of Early Years and Curriculum Product Ranges

  • Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO

UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-072562

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-050a1a (view related notices)

Published 10 November 2025, 5:03pm



Scope

Reference

991_26

Description

ESPO catalogue framework encompassing the supply of early learning and curriculum product ranges, with goods to be delivered either to ESPO's distribution centre, Leicester, or for direct delivery to ESPO customer premises.

The Framework is divided into 9 lots.

Please refer to the tender documents for further details - the closing date for submission of Tenders is 12:00 (12 noon) on 10 December 2025.

To tender (please proceed to step (e) if an expression of interest has already been completed):

(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '991_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen).

Any questions or clarifications relating to this tender opportunity should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal, once an Expression of interest has been completed.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

  • £24,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2030
  • 4 years

Description of possible extension:

Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 36 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales.

Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

ESPO reserves the right to add or remove to the products listed within the Pricing Schedule throughout the lifetime of the Framework so long as they are in line with the Framework scope.

Main procurement category

Goods

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom
  • GG - Guernsey
  • IM - Isle of Man
  • JE - Jersey

Not the same for all lots

CPV classifications are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.


Lot 1. Supply of Curriculum Product Ranges

Description

Supply of curriculum product ranges which includes the following subject areas:

Special Educational Needs

English

Modern Foreign Languages

Maths

Science

Design & Technology

Humanities

Computing

For delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £12,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 22110000 - Printed books
  • 37520000 - Toys
  • 39162000 - Educational equipment

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 2. Supply of Early Learning Product Ranges

Description

Supply of early learning product ranges which includes:

Sensory products

Construction

Games & Puzzles

Imaginative Play

Drama & Role Play

Sand, Water & Messy Play

Physical Development: Gross Motor Skills

Physical Development: Fine Motor Skills

Early Music

Loose Parts Play

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

For delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £7,200,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 37000000 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories
  • 39162000 - Educational equipment

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 3. Baby and Toddler Essential Resources

Description

Supply of essential baby and Toddler related goods for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £480,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 37000000 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories
  • 39161000 - Kindergarten furniture
  • 39162000 - Educational equipment

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 4. Outdoor Early Years Furniture and Support Products

Description

Supply of outdoor early years furniture and support products, which includes:

Role and Imaginative Play Furniture, Dens and Houses, Messy, Discovery, Sand and Water and Creative play

Building Blocks and Construction Products

Outdoor Teaching and Learning Spaces and Places

Outdoor Storage: Early Years

For delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £1,200,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 37535200 - Playground equipment
  • 39142000 - Garden furniture
  • 39160000 - School furniture

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 5. Classroom Reward Products

Description

Supply of classroom reward products for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £240,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 22459100 - Advertising stickers and strips
  • 30192153 - Phrase stamps
  • 30192800 - Self-adhesive labels
  • 30199400 - Gummed or adhesive paper
  • 39162000 - Educational equipment

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 6. Bikes, Trikes and Ride On Vehicles

Description

Supply of bikes, trikes and ride on vehicles suitable for children and for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £720,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 34430000 - Bicycles
  • 37522000 - Wheeled toys
  • 37529200 - Riding toys

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 7. Educational Mini White Board Ranges

Description

Supply of educational lap whiteboards and small freestanding whiteboards / easels. For delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £960,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 30195000 - Boards
  • 39162110 - Teaching supplies

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 8. General Supplementary Curriculum Resources

Description

Supply of supplementary curriculum resources for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £720,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 14211000 - Sand
  • 22114300 - Maps
  • 37524000 - Games
  • 39162000 - Educational equipment
  • 39298600 - Globes

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 9. Children's Aprons and Outdoor Clothing

Description

Supply of children's aprons and outdoor clothing for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for delivery direct to individual customer premises.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £480,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 18000000 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories
  • 35113430 - Safety vests
  • 35113440 - Reflective vests

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Framework

Maximum number of suppliers

Unlimited

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

It should be noted that the Framework could be used, as outlined in option 1 and 2 below, by ESPO where Early Years and Curriculum Product Ranges are required:

Option 1 - Call-off without competition

'Calling-off' Goods from the awarded Supplier who is a) included in the Framework and b) identified as offering the most advantageous solution to ESPO's requirements, based on the Framework award decision.

For all Lots (including sub-lots), purchase orders will be placed with the awarded Supplier(s) as required by ESPO.

Option 2 - Call-off with competition (Further Competitive Selection Process)

'Calling-off' by conducting a competition (further competitive selection process) amongst those Suppliers identified in the Framework as being able to provide the required Goods.

Please refer to the tender documents for any further details.

Award method when using the framework

Either with or without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only


Participation

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation

Lot 1. Supply of Curriculum Product Ranges

Lot 2. Supply of Early Learning Product Ranges

Lot 3. Baby and Toddler Essential Resources

Lot 4. Outdoor Early Years Furniture and Support Products

Lot 5. Classroom Reward Products

Lot 6. Bikes, Trikes and Ride On Vehicles

Lot 7. Educational Mini White Board Ranges

Lot 8. General Supplementary Curriculum Resources

Lot 9. Children's Aprons and Outdoor Clothing

Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation (note: the Procurement Specific Questionnaire which includes Conditions of Participation questions, is captured as a Question set in the eProcurement Portal, ProContract, and is completed online there once a response has been started).

Technical ability conditions of participation

Lot 1. Supply of Curriculum Product Ranges

Lot 2. Supply of Early Learning Product Ranges

Lot 3. Baby and Toddler Essential Resources

Lot 4. Outdoor Early Years Furniture and Support Products

Lot 5. Classroom Reward Products

Lot 6. Bikes, Trikes and Ride On Vehicles

Lot 7. Educational Mini White Board Ranges

Lot 8. General Supplementary Curriculum Resources

Lot 9. Children's Aprons and Outdoor Clothing

Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation (note: the Procurement Specific Questionnaire which includes Conditions of Participation questions, is captured as a Question set in the eProcurement Portal, ProContract, and is completed online there once a response has been started).

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Supply of Curriculum Product Ranges

Lot 2. Supply of Early Learning Product Ranges

Lot 3. Baby and Toddler Essential Resources

Lot 4. Outdoor Early Years Furniture and Support Products

Lot 5. Classroom Reward Products

Lot 6. Bikes, Trikes and Ride On Vehicles

Lot 7. Educational Mini White Board Ranges

Lot 8. General Supplementary Curriculum Resources

Lot 9. Children's Aprons and Outdoor Clothing

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Submission

Enquiry deadline

3 December 2025, 5:00pm

Tender submission deadline

10 December 2025, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Please refer to all instructions captured via https://www.eastmidstenders.org/.

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

30 January 2026


Award criteria

This table contains award criteria for this lot
Name Type Weighting
Price Price 50%
Non-Price Quality 50%

Other information

Applicable trade agreements

  • Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure


Documents

Associated tender documents

https://www.eastmidstenders.org/

To tender (please proceed to step (e) if an expression of interest has already been completed):

(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '991_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen).

Technical specifications to be met

https://www.eastmidstenders.org/

Please refer to the tender documents (see above for further details including summary instructions on how to access these).


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: Catalogue Procurement Team

Email: tenders@espo.org

Website: https://www.espo.org/

Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government