NEPRO x Financial Resilience

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    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f-2025-12-05T12:01:24Z",
    "date": "2025-12-05T12:01:24Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-05014821",
            "name": "THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "05014821"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PYVX-2132-JNMM"
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            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Northern Design Centre",
                "locality": "Gateshead",
                "postalCode": "NE8 3DF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKC22"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Gavin Rimmington",
                "email": "cdpnepoteam@nepo.org",
                "telephone": "0191 638 0040"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.nepo.org",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-05014821",
        "name": "THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold preliminary market engagement meetings with suppliers to help shape the future Framework. The preliminary market engagement meetings are advertised openly via this notice but are limited to a particular number of meetings. Preliminary market engagement meetings will take place between 24/03/2025 - 28/03/2025. The preliminary market engagement meetings are advertised openly using this notice. The \"Market Consultation Questionnaire\" (Market engagement invite) will be made accessible via the Open e-tendering system on Wednesday 26th February 2025 with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. on Wednesday 12th March 2025. Suppliers wishing to access and complete the \"Market Consultation Questionnaire\" (Market engagement invite) must first register on the e-tendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org. Within the Questionnaire, Suppliers will be given the opportunity to register for a market engagement meeting via directly emailing NEPRO to select two meeting dates highlighting their preferred choice. Preliminary market engagement meetings are limited in number and will take place the week commencing Monday 24th March 2025. Appointments will be no longer than 150 mins. NEPO intends to conduct these sessions in person in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. In person meetings will be determined via correspondence but are expected to take place at NEPO's offices. The time and location of each appointment will be confirmed following the registration deadline. NEPO may, by exception, use its discretion to facilitate online meetings in the event that in-person meetings are not feasible for suppliers. Places will be secured on a first-come, first-serve basis via directly emailing NEPRO to select two meeting dates highlighting their preferred choice. Suppliers wishing to attend the preliminary market engagement meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements outlined within this notification. NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place. Attendance at the market engagement is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Attendance also does not constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake. In addition to the preliminary market engagement meetings, NEPO may also publish a preliminary market engagement questionnaire via our Open E-Procurement system. Should this be issued, the questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market engagement meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO536 Framework design. Should the questionnaire be issued, this will be published through Open for access and completion.",
                "dueDate": "2025-04-11T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "007322-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007322-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-02-26T15:38:27Z",
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                "id": "033701-2025",
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                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033701-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-19T13:24:16+01:00",
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    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "NEPO536",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "NEPRO x Financial Resilience",
        "description": "The Association of North East Councils Trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) seeks to establish a Framework for the provision of a Financial Resilience Solution (NEPRO x Financial Resilience), enabling Contracting Authorities to access a suite of financial-based services that can be deployed in a compliant and efficient manner to support Financial Resilience. The Framework is intended to commence on 1 April 2026 and will have an initial term of four years. NEPO may, at its sole discretion, extend the Framework for up to two further periods of two years, resulting in a maximum term of eight years. In accordance with Section 47(2) of the Procurement Act, NEPO considers that the nature of the services to be delivered under this Framework requires a longer duration than the standard 48 months. The establishment of the collaborative community and the strategic nature of the services necessitates a long-term arrangement to foster enduring, value-driven partnerships between Contracting Authorities and appointed Supplier(s). Suppliers wishing to access and complete the tender documents must first register on Open (eTendering system) using the following link: https://www.open-uk.org",
        "items": [
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                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48410000",
                        "description": "Investment management and tax preparation software package"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48440000",
                        "description": "Financial analysis and accounting software package"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48460000",
                        "description": "Analytical, scientific, mathematical or forecasting software package"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48810000",
                        "description": "Information systems"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "66000000",
                        "description": "Financial and insurance services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72000000",
                        "description": "IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79000000",
                        "description": "Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80500000",
                        "description": "Training services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "GG",
                        "country": "GG",
                        "countryName": "Guernsey"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "IM",
                        "country": "IM",
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "JE",
                        "country": "JE",
                        "countryName": "Jersey"
                    },
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                        "region": "IM",
                        "country": "IM",
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                        "region": "JE",
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                        "region": "UK",
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                        "region": "GG",
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                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
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                        "country": "JE",
                        "countryName": "Jersey"
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                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
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                        "region": "GG",
                        "country": "GG",
                        "countryName": "Guernsey"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "IM",
                        "country": "IM",
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "JE",
                        "country": "JE",
                        "countryName": "Jersey"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 4800000000,
            "amount": 4000000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true,
            "frameworkAgreement": {
                "maximumParticipants": 3,
                "method": "withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition",
                "periodRationale": "The Framework exceeds 48 months in duration. NEPO considers that the establishment of the collaborative community and the strategic nature of the services to be delivered requires a longer-term arrangement to foster enduring, value-driven partnerships between Contracting Authorities and appointed Suppliers. This is combined with the following: * The complexity of the Framework * The resource required by NEPO to procure the Framework * The complexity and value of projects to be procured under the Framework. NEPO recognises that these projects may span numerous years * The development of the Financial Resilience Collaborative Community.",
                "type": "open",
                "buyerLocationRestrictions": [
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "UK"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "GG"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "IM"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "JE"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "UK"
                            ]
                        }
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                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "GG"
                            ]
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                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
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                                "IM"
                            ]
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                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "JE"
                            ]
                        }
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                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "UK"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "GG"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "IM"
                            ]
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "gazetteer": {
                            "scheme": "GB-ITL",
                            "identifiers": [
                                "JE"
                            ]
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "buyerCategories": "NEPO is a Centralised Procurement Authority as defined in the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). NEPO therefore may provide central purchasing activity on behalf of Contracting Authorities. The agreement will be available for use by NEPO Member Authorities found here https://www.nepo.org/about & all current & future Associate Members. Current Associate Members are listed here, NEPO website: https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership NEPO intends to make the resulting agreement available for use by all Contracting Authorities throughout all administrative regions of the UK (as defined by the Procurement Act 2023) including but not limited to Government Departments & their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Central Government, NHS Bodies, Local Authorities, Emergency Services, Coastguard Emergency Services, Educational Establishments, Registered Social Landlords and Registered Charities. A permissible users list available at: http://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/permissible-users",
                "description": "The successful Tenderers will enter into a Framework Agreement (NEPO536: NEPRO x Financial Resilience) 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 from the point of the Framework commencement for a minimum period of 24 months. Framework commencement will be considered from the issue of the Award Letter to successful tenderers following the Standstill period (\"Effective Date\"). From the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date, Providers will be able to request a variation to their pricing. Contracting Authorities may establish Call-Off Contracts through an award without or with further competition. Award without Competition Under s45(4) of the Procurement Act 2023, Contracting Authorities may award directly to a Supplier without further competition under this Solution. The objective mechanism for supplier selection without competition under this Solution follows the cascade method. This shall function as follows: 1. Suppliers awarded to the Solution shall be ranked according to their combined price / quality (Most Advantageous Tender) score. 2. A Contracting Authority shall first award directly to the first-ranked Supplier. 3. If the first-ranked Supplier is unable to meet the requirements, or does not accept the project, then the second-ranked Supplier shall be considered. 4. If the second-ranked Supplier cannot meet the requirements, or does not accept the project, then the third-ranked Supplier shall be considered. A Contracting Authority may make a direct award to a specific Supplier (i.e. outside of the cascade method process above) where it has sufficient business or commercial reason for doing so. Reasons may include, but are not limited to: * Where the Contracting Authority is procuring additional or repeat services and the Supplier who would otherwise be awarded under the cascade method is not an existing Supplier and to use an alternative Supplier would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance for the Contracting Authority; and/or * Where there are objectively justifiable contextual reasons to make a direct award to a specific Supplier, such as geographical requirements. The responsibility for complying with, and the reason for, this Call-Off procedure lies with the Contracting Authority who will need to satisfy its internal procedures that this process can be utilised. When an award without competition is made, the price will be based on the Solution contracted tendered rates. The Supplier rates can be improved (i.e. reduced) but must not exceed the capped tendered rates. Further Competition / Mini Competition Contracting Authorities may opt to run a further competition at their discretion throughout the life of the Solution. All Suppliers awarded to the Solution may be invited to participate in a further competition. At the discretion of a Contracting Authority, Suppliers may be initially requested to provide an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the project. Any Supplier not expressing an interest by the assigned deadline may not be invited to participate in the further competition at the discretion of a Contracting Authority and in accordance with any guidance issued. The criteria for evaluations at the further competition stage will be detailed by the Contracting Authority and included within the documentation issued at that stage. Contracting Authorities will utilise their own further competition documents. At further competition stage, Suppliers should be asked to provide a price based upon the actual requirements of the Contracting Authority. All rates provided within the Solution must not be exceeded but can be lowered to ensure a competitive bid. Contracting Authorities should expect to be provided with detailed pricing at the Call-off stage to ensure that the capped rates are not exceeded. The Contracting Authority can disqualify any Supplier who does exceed the tendered capped rates from the further competition process."
            }
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2030-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2034-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "active",
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 4800000000,
                    "amount": 4000000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 35,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
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                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
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                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 35,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
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                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "description": "Full details can be found in the tender documents",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 5,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Legal and financial conditions of participation are included in this procurement. Full information on legal and financial conditions of participation can be founded in the associated Procurement Documents."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Legal and financial conditions of participation are included in this procurement. Full information on legal and financial conditions of participation can be founded in the associated Procurement Documents."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Legal and financial conditions of participation are included in this procurement. Full information on legal and financial conditions of participation can be founded in the associated Procurement Documents."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Legal and financial conditions of participation are included in this procurement. Full information on legal and financial conditions of participation can be founded in the associated Procurement Documents."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Legal and financial conditions of participation are included in this procurement. Full information on legal and financial conditions of participation can be founded in the associated Procurement Documents."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Legal and financial conditions of participation are included in this procurement. Full information on legal and financial conditions of participation can be founded in the associated Procurement Documents."
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The framework is for a period of 48 months with the options to extend for up to a further 2 x 24-month periods. Justification for the longer framework term is provided under section 6 of this notice."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-07-30T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA",
            "CPTPP"
        ],
        "participationFees": [
            {
                "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f",
                "type": [
                    "win"
                ],
                "relativeValue": {
                    "proportion": 0.008,
                    "monetaryValue": "award"
                },
                "description": "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 0.8%"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "(Documents Updated 05/12/25 following bidder clarifications) The opportunity can be accessed via the NEPO eTender system, Open. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Framework Agreement must register their expression of interest and submit the Tender documentation through the Open eTendering System. If not already registered, suppliers should register on the NEPO eTendering System at https://www.open-uk.org/ (https://www.open-uk.org/) (https://www.open-uk.org/ (https://www.open-uk.org/)) Tender documentation responses must be submitted using the link above. Responses submitted via postal or email methods will not be accepted. If you need 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 - Thursday 8:30 - 5pm and Friday 8.30 - 4.30pm For guidance on how to submit your response through Open, please visit: https://www.openhub.org/training (https://www.open-hub.org/training) (https://www.open-hub.org/training (https://www.openhub.org/training)) to access the available Training Guides.",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-11T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-11-17T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-02T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "069882-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069882-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-30T16:48:26Z",
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            },
            {
                "id": "077322-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077322-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-26T14:45:37Z",
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            {
                "id": "080089-2025",
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                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
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                "datePublished": "2025-12-05T12:01:24Z",
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        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "077322-2025",
                "description": "The tender submission deadline for NEPO536: NEPRO x Financial Resilience has been extended to 12:00 (Noon) 11 December 2025."
            },
            {
                "id": "080089-2025",
                "description": "Amendments to Tender Documentation uploaded to OPEN (NEPO e-tendering Platform) This includes: - Tender Questionnaire 1 (Contract Details & Instructions) - Creation of a contract section (minor amendment made to document hierarchy) - Tender Questionnaire 3 (Tender Documentation & Response) - Framework Agreement and Call-off Contract"
            }
        ]
    },
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