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128_26 Art Papers and Board

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

05 May 2026 at 12:17

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

30 Mar 2026 at 15:17

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

25 Sep 2025 at 15:33

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

29 Apr 2025 at 15:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

29 Apr 2025 at 13:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "128_26 Art Papers and Board" contract was conducted by Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, with the framework agreement now completed. This open procedure targeted the supply of art papers and board products, which are to be delivered to both the ESPO Distribution Centre in Leicester and directly to ESPO customers across the UK. The procurement covered multiple industry categories, primarily focusing on art supplies, with a distribution plan for these items across the UK. The award notice was published on 5 May 2026, following the framework award conclusion on 14 April 2026. The contract's initial period is set to start on 13 April 2026 and end on 31 March 2027, with possibilities of extension up to March 2030, indicating a substantial timeline for businesses to engage with the framework.

This tender provides diverse business opportunities, particularly for SMEs, as the framework caters predominantly to suppliers fitting this scale. Businesses engaged in the production or distribution of art papers, boards, and related educational equipment are well-suited to participate. ESPO’s framework allows for flexible procurement methods, including direct call-offs and further competitive selection processes. As the framework spans eight distinct lots, businesses can target specific product lines that match their specialties, thereby enhancing their market reach and growth potential within the public procurement sector. The framework's gross value amounting to significant figures underscores the scale and opportunities available for successful suppliers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

128_26 Art Papers and Board

Notice Description

ESPO catalogue framework for the supply of art papers and board, for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and to individual ESPO Customer's premises. The Framework is divided into 8 lots. Note: Overall framework award was concluded on 14/04/2026, with this notice being published to follow on from this.

Lot Information

Bulk Paper Packs

Supply of Bulk Paper Pack products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and direct to ESPO Customers. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Poster, Display and Corrugated Paper

Supply of Poster, Display and Corrugated Paper products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and direct to ESPO Customers. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Sugar and Crepe Paper

Supply of Sugar and Crepe Paper products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and direct to ESPO Customers. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Miscellaneous Paper

Supply of Miscellaneous Paper products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Recycled Tinted Dyed Card

Supply of Recycled Tinted Dyed Card products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Virgin Tinted Dyed Card

Supply of Virgin Tinted Dyed Card products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Coated Card

Supply of Coated Card products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Mount Board and Foam Board

Supply of Mount Board and Foam Board products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework.

Renewal: 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 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Planning Information

The purpose of the Preliminary market engagement (PME) is to cover a range of topics designed to best explore our requirements in a possible future procurement. These topics may include: 1. develop ESPO's requirements and approach to the procurement 2. help better identify suitable suppliers in the market and their supply chains 3. understand products/service offerings from suppliers and the marketplace in general Engagement with suppliers is anticipated to be a mix of methods, including Requests for Information (RFI) and meetings (both virtual and/or in-person). Visits to supplier's premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use. For the purposes of this Preliminary market engagement (PME), please express your interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '128_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation - optional responses are required by 12/05/2025. In the case of any questions or clarifications relating to this PME, these should also be submitted to ESPO as a Message on the eProcurement Portal (again once an Expression of interest has been completed). Notwithstanding the above process, as this procurement exercise is a renewal of an existing ESPO framework, ESPO reserves the right to engage with some, all or none of the incumbent suppliers appointed to the existing framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expression of interest and/or RFI exercise. Suppliers should note that this is a preliminary market engagement exercise (and NOT a competitive tender process at this stage). The participation of a supplier in this preliminary market engagement will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and ESPO. A supplier's participation, or lack of participation, in this preliminary market engagement shall not impact the ability of the supplier to participate in any resulting tender exercise. Suppliers should note that any interest indicated does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050931
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040950-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

37 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

CPV Codes

22990000 - Newsprint, handmade paper and other uncoated paper or paperboard for graphic purposes

22993400 - Corrugated paper or paperboard

30197645 - Card for printing

37820000 - Art supplies

39162000 - Educational equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£7,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£5,833,334 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£5,833,334 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
18 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
17 Mar 20265 months ago
Contract Period
13 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE19 1ES
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Blaby
Electoral Ward
Enderby
Westminster Constituency
South Leicestershire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
13
Supplier Names

AMPLE STAR ENTERPRISES UK LIMITED

BRIGHT IDEAS MARKETING LIMITED

BUDGET PAPER SUPPLIES LIMITED

DALER-ROWNEY LIMITED

EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGE LIMITED

GROSVENOR HOUSE PAPERS LIMITED

HIGHER KINGS MILL LIMITED

PLASTOREG EASTLIGHT LIMITED

STATIONERY & CRAFT SELECT LTD

St. Majewski Sp. z o.o.

TEXET SALES LIMITED

VICTORIA GRANT LIMITED

WIGSTON PAPER LIMITED

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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