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Neutral Vendor for ICT Procurement

EFFICIENCY EAST MIDLANDS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

03 Aug 2026 at 17:10

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

14 Apr 2026 at 16:19

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

10 Sep 2025 at 12:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Efficiency East Midlands Limited has established a UK-wide ICT services framework with Meta Procurement Ltd acting as framework manager. The appointed neutral vendor will source and coordinate ICT goods, software and licensing, cloud services, cybersecurity tools, technical consultancy, implementation, managed support and emerging technologies for public sector organisations. The scope includes end-user devices, servers, storage, networks, Microsoft and other licensing, Azure, AWS, SaaS, DevOps, data migration, disaster recovery, helpdesk and managed services. It also covers strategic ICT reviews, transformation advice, cost transparency and aggregated demand. Delivery is across the United Kingdom, serving public bodies including local authorities, government departments, housing associations, educational institutions and emergency services. The framework is intended to provide a single accountable route for public sector ICT procurement and supplier ecosystem management.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a selective competitive flexible procedure. It comprised one lot and established a single-supplier framework without reopening competition. Two valid bids were received. WCL (UK) Limited was awarded the contract on 3 August 2026, at £500,000,000 excluding VAT and £600,000,000 including VAT. The contract period runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030. The lot was evaluated entirely on technical quality, weighted at 100%. The process used a second-stage shortlist of three to five candidates, with selection based on the criteria in the procurement documentation. A one per cent win fee, calculated against the award value, applies to the successful supplier. The framework award is recorded as active, with signature scheduled for 1 September 2026.

This procurement demonstrates substantial public sector demand for a single accountable ICT sourcing and managed-service partner rather than a conventional single-product supplier. A credible future competitor would need to operate a neutral-vendor or aggregator model, manage a broad and quality-assured supply chain, and support fair access for specialist and SME providers. Important capabilities include transparent pricing and margin control, auditable supplier selection, demand aggregation, benchmarking and spend reporting. The service would also require a strong digital platform for requisitions, ordering, supplier interaction, invoicing, contract-status reporting and audit. Experience across hardware, software licensing, cloud consumption, DevOps, cybersecurity, consultancy, implementation and managed support would be relevant, alongside the ability to provide compliant, scalable services across UK public bodies. Evidence of effective cost governance and supplier ecosystem management would strengthen a competitor’s position.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Neutral Vendor for ICT Procurement

Notice Description

This procurement has established a single-supplier framework, in accordance with Section 45(4)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. EEM has concluded, based on market analysis, statutory considerations and PME feedback, that a single neutral vendor is the only proportionate and effective model capable of delivering the full scope of ICT requirements defined in the ITT.

Planning Information

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) ICT Direct: A Whole ICT Services Framework for the UK Public Sector EEM 0080 1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW 1.1 EFFICIENCY EAST MIDLANDS LTD Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) is a not-for-profit procurement consortium set up to drive cost and efficiency savings in the public sector. Since 2010, EEM and its members have worked together to deliver comprehensive yet simplified procurement solutions, which offer a wide range of compliant, competitive and high-quality products and services. EEM’s vision is to develop a collaborative working approach, which delivers the fullest possible range of organisational, financial and social benefits. EEM is working with its partner and Representative, Meta Procurement Ltd, to create a whole ICT Services Framework that provides best possible value and service to our members and the wider public sector. We are pleased to invite interest in the idea of establishing a national framework agreement titled ICT Direct Whole ICT Services Framework for the UK Public Sector. This single-supplier framework will adopt a neutral vendor delivery model, enabling public bodies to access the full range of ICT goods, services, and solutions from end-user devices and licensing, to networks, consultancy, and cloud infrastructure via a compliant and simplified route. The framework will be designed to support transparency of ICT spend across all categories, particularly in areas where pricing is often unclear or complex, such as Microsoft licensing, Azure, DevOps, and cloud consumption models. It will provide public sector organisations with greater clarity and control over their ICT investments while streamlining procurement activity and promoting value for money. This PME exercise is issued in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and is not part of a formal procurement process. No organisation will be prejudiced by its response or non-response, and this engagement does not guarantee inclusion in any future procurement activity. However, supplier feedback will play an important role in shaping our requirements and procurement approach. 2. Background This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) seeks views from the ICT supply chain ahead of a proposed procurement for a single-supplier neutral vendor framework. The framework will be made available to all UK public sector bodies, including, local authorities, government departments, housing associations, arms-length bodies, educational institutions, and emergency services. A core objective of the proposed framework is to increase transparency of ICT procurement, particularly in complex areas such as: • Microsoft licensing (e.g. M365, Enterprise Agreements) • Azure consumption and DevOps tooling • Subscription-based cloud and SaaS pricing • Third-party service margins and bundling Public bodies often face challenges in validating these costs, comparing options, and understanding value for money. The neutral vendor model is intended to address these issues through a single, accountable supplier who provides clear, auditable pricing structures, supports fair market access, and delivers expert procurement guidance. This engagement does not form part of a formal procurement process and does not commit the authority to any course of action. The views of suppliers and stakeholders will be used to inform the design of the opportunity and test assumptions prior to publication of the contract notice. 3. Market Engagement Purpose UK public bodies are responsible for procuring a wide range of ICT goods and services to support their operational, digital, and transformation objectives. These include cloud platforms, productivity tools, end-user devices, cyber security, and infrastructure. These are often sourced via a complex web of routes with inconsistent pricing transparency or procurement overhead. There is increasing interest in more strategic and joined-up procurement models, which can offer: • Better commercial visibility and control • Access to a dynamic supply chain (including SMEs and specialists) • Efficient call-off and sourcing methods • Assurance over compliance, risk, and sustainability • Benchmarking and aggregation of spend insights This neutral vendor model is proposed as a mechanism to achieve these benefits through a single accountable partner acting as a sourcing agent and supplier ecosystem manager. 4. Proposed Framework Summary The neutral vendor will act as a managed service provider (MSP) or aggregator for public bodies, responsible for the delivery and procurement of: • ICT hardware (e.g. laptops, mobile devices, peripherals, servers) • Software and licensing (e.g. Microsoft, Adobe, antivirus, sector-specific platforms) • Cloud services (e.g. IaaS, PaaS, SaaS including Azure, AWS, M365, DevOps tooling) • Cybersecurity tools and frameworks • Technical consultancy and professional services • Implementation and rollout services • Managed services and support • Innovation and emerging technologies (e.g. automation, AI, IoT) The neutral vendor must provide a high-performing digital platform or equivalent service for requisitions, reporting, and audit, ensuring full transparency of supplier selection, cost build-up, and contract status. 5. Draft Specification ICT Goods • End-user devices: desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, peripherals. • Infrastructure: servers, storage, networking equipment. • Accessories and components: monitors, docking stations, cabling, spare parts. • Specialist equipment: mobile clinical devices, ruggedised hardware, audio-visual kit. Software & Licensing • Microsoft (inc. Enterprise, CSP, Azure) and other volume licensing programmes. • Operating systems, security software, productivity suites, line-of-business applications. • SaaS, PaaS, IaaS offerings. • Licence optimisation and usage reporting services. ICT Services • Technical consultancy and solution design. • Deployment and implementation services. • ICT support and managed services (e.g. helpdesk, remote monitoring). • Asset tagging, imaging, configuration, staging, disposal, and secure recycling. • Data migration, backup, and disaster recovery services. Cloud, DevOps & Infrastructure • Cloud hosting, storage, and compute capacity (public, private, hybrid). • DevOps consultancy and tools provisioning. • Network design, delivery, and optimisation. • Security solutions and compliance support (inc. Cyber Essentials, ISO standards). Strategic Services • Strategic ICT reviews and transformation consultancy. • Budget planning and cost transparency reporting. • Aggregation of demand across organisations. • SME enablement and supply chain management. 6. Supplier Input Requested We are inviting potential suppliers to respond to the following: • Transparency and Value for Money • How can a neutral vendor help public bodies understand and benchmark costs in areas where pricing is typically opaque (e.g. Azure consumption, M365, SaaS bundles)? • What models ensure cost clarity and reduce hidden margin or duplication? • Commercial Model • What is the most appropriate pricing structure for the neutral vendor (e.g. fixed fee, % margin, hybrid)? • How can the model be designed to balance sustainability for the vendor with cost transparency for buyers? • Supplier Ecosystem & Inclusion • How can a neutral vendor fairly onboard and manage a diverse, quality-assured supplier network (including SMEs)? • What controls and reporting should be in place to avoid bias or vendor lock-in? • Buyer Experience & Simplicity • What mechanisms support easy, compliant call-offs for non-technical or low-capacity public sector teams? • What should be included in a service catalogue to make it user-friendly? • Technology, Reporting & Assurance • What digital tools/platforms are in use for order capture, supplier interaction, invoicing, and performance tracking? • How can this framework provide insight across the public sector to inform strategic procurement decisions? 7. How to Respond Please respond to the questions in section 6 above and return via email to mark@metaprocurement.org no later than 10th October 2025. We may also invite a selection of respondents to participate in follow-up in one-to-one conversations to explore feedback further. Please note this is not a call for competition or a procurement exercise. Responding to this notice does not guarantee future involvement. 8. Next Steps and Timeline Issue PME – 8th September 2025 Deadline for Responses 10th October 2025 Follow-up Supplier Sessions 13th to 17th October Anticipated Tender Publication November 2025 Anticipated Contract Start February 2026 9. Contact Details For any queries relating to this PME, please contact: Mark Stephens Meta Procurement Ltd on behalf of EEM Email: mark@metaprocurement.org

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059780
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073393-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
3 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EFFICIENCY EAST MIDLANDS LIMITED
Additional Buyers

Efficiency East Midlands

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ALFRETON
Postcode
DE55 2DS
Postcode Area
Derby
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF12 East Derbyshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bolsover
Electoral Ward
South Normanton East
Westminster Constituency
Bolsover

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WCL (UK) LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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