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Managed IT and Cyber Security Service Provider - Pre-Qualification (Stage 1 of 2)

NORTH EAST AUTISM SOCIETY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderAmendment

15 Oct 2026 at 14:36

Tender Notice
Tender

13 Oct 2026 at 11:53

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North East Autism Society (NEAS), a charity based in North East England, is seeking a managed service provider to deliver IT and cyber security support across its organisation. The service covers an IT helpdesk, Microsoft 365 support and backup, cyber security monitoring, endpoint management, Azure support, backup and disaster recovery, vulnerability assessments, managed firewall support and strategic IT consultancy. It is intended to support approximately 1,300 users across 54 sites in the North East of England. This is a broad managed IT services requirement combining day-to-day user support, cloud and infrastructure management, security services and strategic advice. The main work is IT support and consultancy (CPV 72000000).

The buyer invited suppliers to apply through a two-stage process: a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) followed by an Invitation to Tender for shortlisted suppliers. The PQQ submission deadline is 30 October 2026 at 12 noon, and clarification questions are due by 20 October 2026 at 12 noon. Shortlisting is scheduled for 5 November, the ITT for 9 November, and the ITT deadline for 9 December 2026 at 12 noon. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030. Its estimated value is £540,000 to £900,000. Stage 1 uses pass/fail criteria set out in the PQQ; the published information does not describe the evaluation basis for the later ITT.

The opportunity suits managed service providers able to take responsibility for a varied IT estate, from service desk and Microsoft 365 through Azure, endpoint and network security, resilience and disaster recovery. Suppliers will need an operational office in North East England, current experience supporting charity-sector clients, and current experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. These are explicit entry requirements for the pre-qualification stage, so providers without the regional presence or relevant client track record are unlikely to qualify. The scope across 54 sites and approximately 1,300 users calls for the capacity to deliver consistent support across a multi-site organisation, alongside specialist cyber security and consultancy capability. SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable to participate.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Managed IT and Cyber Security Service Provider - Pre-Qualification (Stage 1 of 2)

Notice Description

North East Autism Society (NEAS), a North East England charity, is seeking to appoint a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver managed IT and cyber security services across the organisation. This is Stage 1 of a two-stage process. Suppliers are invited to complete the attached short Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender (ITT), which will allow a longer response period. Services required include: IT service desk; Microsoft 365 support and backup; cyber security monitoring; endpoint management; Azure support; backup and disaster recovery; vulnerability assessments; managed firewall support; and strategic IT consultancy. Scope: approximately 1300 users across 54 sites. Suppliers must have an operational office in the North East of England, current experience supporting charity sector clients, and current experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. Full pass/fail criteria are set out in the PQQ. Indicative timetable: PQQ deadline [30/10/2026/12pm]; shortlist notified [05/11/2026]; ITT issued [9/11/2026]; ITT deadline [09/12/2026/ 12pm]; contract award [08/01/2027]; contract start [1/04/2027]. Clarification questions must be received by [20/10/2026 12pm]. Completed PQQs should be returned to the email address in the contact details by the closing date and time. Additional information: North East Autism Society (NEAS), a North East England charity, is seeking to appoint a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver managed IT and cyber security services across the organisation. This is Stage 1 of a two-stage process. Suppliers are invited to complete the attached short Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender (ITT), which will allow a longer response period. Services required include: IT service desk; Microsoft 365 support and backup; cyber security monitoring; endpoint management; Azure support; backup and disaster recovery; vulnerability assessments; managed firewall support; and strategic IT consultancy. Scope: approximately 1300 users across 54 sites. Suppliers must have an operational office in the North East of England, current experience supporting charity sector clients, and current experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. Full pass/fail criteria are set out in the PQQ. Indicative timetable: PQQ deadline [30/10/2026/12pm]; shortlist notified [05/11/2026]; ITT issued [9/11/2026]; ITT deadline [09/12/2026/ 12pm]; contract award [08/01/2027]; contract start [1/04/2027]. Clarification questions must be received by [20/10/2026 12pm]. Completed PQQs should be returned to the email address in the contact details by the closing date and time.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1b469c86-3d9e-444f-94c2-7ad218f7c9f9
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/83ec4c0c-a9d1-4ff0-aa4b-e1f64e13aa26
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other - Two-stage process: Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to shortlist suppliers, followed by Invitation to Tender (ITT) for shortlisted suppliers only
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

72100000 - Hardware consultancy services

72110000 - Hardware selection consultancy services

72120000 - Hardware disaster-recovery consultancy services

72130000 - Computer-site planning consultancy services

72140000 - Computer hardware acceptance testing consultancy services

72150000 - Computer audit consultancy and hardware consultancy services

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

72210000 - Programming services of packaged software products

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

72230000 - Custom software development services

72240000 - Systems analysis and programming services

72250000 - System and support services

72251000 - Disaster recovery services

72252000 - Computer archiving services

72253000 - Helpdesk and support services

72254000 - Software testing

72260000 - Software-related services

72300000 - Data services

72400000 - Internet services

72500000 - Computer-related services

72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

72610000 - Computer support services

72700000 - Computer network services

72800000 - Computer audit and testing services

72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services

72910000 - Computer back-up services

72920000 - Computer catalogue conversion services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Oct 20262 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTH EAST AUTISM SOCIETY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHESTER LE STREET
Postcode
DH2 1AN
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
North Lodge
Westminster Constituency
North Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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