Tender

Neutral Vendor Managed Service Framework for Technical and Professional Services (NEUTAPS)

CARDIFF COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

07 Nov 2025 at 13:28

Planning

30 May 2025 at 13:12

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is being conducted by Cardiff Council, centred on a tender titled "Neutral Vendor Managed Service Framework for Technical and Professional Services (NEUTAPS)." It focuses on the provision of technical and professional services within the "Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security" category and spans the entire United Kingdom. The current stage of this procurement is active and accepting tenders. The tender's submission deadline is 10th December 2025, following which the award decision is anticipated to be completed by 19th January 2026. The open procedure, under UKPGA 2023/54, provides a broad opportunity for businesses to engage with this high-value contract, with an estimated financial scope reaching up to £960 million. This framework will run from 2nd February 2026 to 1st February 2030.

This tender offers substantial potential for business growth, particularly for firms specialising in management consultancy services and those capable of delivering diverse technical and professional support functions. It presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses that can effectively operate in various sectors and are ready to be integrated into a pre-vetted supply chain. SMEs are encouraged to participate, as the framework promises a streamlined route to market and focuses on developing sustainable relationships between contractors and clients, thereby ensuring improved value for money. By managing a significant portion of public sector consultancy needs across the UK, the framework promises not only financial growth for participating businesses but also the chance to contribute to innovative public service solutions.

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Notice Title

Neutral Vendor Managed Service Framework for Technical and Professional Services (NEUTAPS)

Notice Description

The Neutral Vendor Managed Service Contractor will provide an end-to-end managed service for the provision of technical and professional services from a wide range of categories. Cardiff Council currently manage the collaborative SEWTAPS Framework, which covers a range of construction consultancy disciplines. Lot 11 of this framework has been successfully used for a Neutral Vendor solution to deliver Professional Services that go beyond the core construction consultancy services. Following the successes of this lot, the requirements are being separated and a new framework will be established. The sole Contractor will allow access to a wide range of technical and professional services through their pre-vetted supply chain, across a variety of markets. The Neutral Vendor requires specialist knowledge and expertise to provide Contracting Authorities a streamlined route to market, making it more efficient and achieve best value for money. This framework will not include recruitment or agency staff. Key to the success of the framework is the option of a flexible approach for Contracting Authorities, encouraging early consultant involvement, focusing on developing client / contractor relationships that improve value for money through a reduction in: time to market and duplication of processes, development of common standards and the sharing of best practice that seeks to drive innovation. The Neutral Vendor lot under the SEWTAPS Framework is used extensively by over 30 different organisations in the public sector throughout the UK, including Local Councils, Universities and Central Government Authorities. The framework will be available to a wide range of potential customers. For further details please see schedule 1 'potential customers' of the Framework Agreement. The Contractor will need to demonstrate capability and capacity to meet these requirements. Please refer to the full procurement documents for further information.

Planning Information

The Pre-Market Supplier Engagement will consist of written questionnaires, which can be accessed and submitted via Proactis at the following link: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login Reference: ERFX1008636 - NVMS Framework Pre-Market Engagement The deadline for submissions is 20/06/2025 12:00 noon Further engagement may be requested in the form of follow up questions or meetings. The Market engagement with customers and suppliers will include areas to understand the market, review current and future needs, identify potential structures for the new framework and determining the most appropriate approach to maximise value for money. The Council has already undertaken some lesson learnt engagement. As part of pre-market engagement, further potential customer feedback will also be undertaken .

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0529d3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072040-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£800,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£800,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
20 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Feb 2026 - 1 Feb 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
2030-02-02

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CARDIFF COUNCIL
Contact Name
Jemma Downes
Contact Email
consultancyframework@cardiff.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 4UW
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Butetown
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

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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