Award

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

CARDIFF COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

01 Apr 2026 at 09:07

Tender

07 Nov 2025 at 13:28

Planning

30 May 2025 at 13:12

Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff Council has successfully awarded the Neutral Vendor Managed Service Framework for Technical and Professional Services on 1st April 2026, following the open procedure method. This procurement, under the legal framework of the Procurement Act 2023, is a significant initiative aimed at providing high-quality consultancy and professional services to various UK public sector customers. The framework, named NEUTAPS, spans all administrative regions of the United Kingdom and caters to entities such as Government Departments, NHS Bodies, Local Authorities, and educational establishments. The contract, valued at £800,000,000 with a gross amount of £960,000,000, is set to commence on 20th April 2026, running until 19th April 2030. The award follows a competitive bidding process, with the standstill period concluding on 14th April 2026.

Businesses focused on law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security services may find lucrative opportunities within this framework. The neutral vendor framework is designed to offer streamlined access to a diverse range of technical and professional services, providing ample room for growth and innovation. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will likely find themselves well-positioned to compete, as evidenced by a significant number making it to the final stage of the bids. This initiative encourages early consultant involvement and focuses on enhancing client-contractor relationships, which can substantially improve efficiency and value through reduced time-to-market and process duplication. Such frameworks might also attract interest from businesses keen on leveraging the framework to comply with associated public fund conditions, including Section 106 engagements.

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Notice Title

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

Notice Description

Following the successes of Lot 11 (Neutral Vendor) of the South East Wales Technical and Professional Services (SEWTAPS) Framework, this Framework has been established as an evolution and replacement of the Lot, addressing the need for a dedicated Neutral Vendor Managed Service Framework for Technical and Professional services solution for use by Public Sector Customers throughout the UK. The Neutral Vendor Managed Service Provider will provide a secure, unbiased, high quality managed service provision to support the delivery of consultancy projects and professional services requirements across the wide scope of potential requirements, through management of their fully vetted Supply Chain Provider Pool. Common drivers for commissioning such expertise, include the need for specific technical skills, additional capacity, sector-specific insights, innovation and experience, and the value of an independent, objective perspective. Engaging professional and consultancy services can provide access to a wealth of expert advice, specialist knowledge, and enhanced capabilities that may not be readily available internally. This Framework can be used and Call-Off Contracts may be entered into with the Contractor under this Framework 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 and 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 who have a need to purchase the above services (including any successor in the exercise of their statutory or public functions). Other public bodies exercising their functions in, or in relation to the UK but not specifically referred to above may also use this Framework. The Framework may also be used by non-Public Sector organisations to comply with conditions associated with the use of public funds for those specific projects (including but not limited to Section 106).

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/030144-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Apr 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
20 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
30 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
19 Apr 2026 - 19 Apr 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
2030-02-02

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CARDIFF COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MATRIX SCM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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