This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

01 May 2026 at 15:52

Award

24 Feb 2026 at 17:33

Tender

08 Oct 2025 at 19:49

Planning

19 Sep 2025 at 17:35

Summary of the contracting process

Sunderland City Council has completed the procurement process to appoint a Managing Agent for its Business Centres, including Evolve Business Centre, Sunderland Software Centre, and Washington Business Centre. This contract is within the services industry and is located in Sunderland, UK (Region UKC23). The procurement stage is noted as complete, with the contract awarded to the North East Business and Innovation Centre Limited, starting from 1st May 2026 and spanning an initial term of five years, with the possibility of extension up to a total of ten years. The procurement followed a selective method through a Competitive Flexible Procedure, aligning with the legal basis provided by the UKPGA 2023/54.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies specialising in strategic and operational management services, marketing and leasing, ICT services, as well as maintenance and development. Businesses equipped to offer comprehensive property management and business development support will find this contract ideally suited to their expertise. The £4.9 million contract can provide a substantial platform for businesses aiming to expand their presence and capabilities in the public sector, particularly service providers already versed in managing business facilities or those in pursuit of collaboration with local government to foster economic growth in the region. The procurement structure supports the engagement of SMEs, enhancing opportunities for smaller enterprises with innovative approaches to business centre management.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

The Appointment of a Managing Agent for Sunderland City Council Business Centres

Notice Description

Sunderland City Council ("the Contracting Authority" and/ or "the Council") is intending to appoint a Managing Agent to provide a range of key services at its Business Centres ("the Centres") namely, Evolve Business Centre, Sunderland Software Centre, and Washington Business Centre. The Managing Agent will be required to deliver all the services for the Council in relation to the Centres as more particularly described within the Specification as included in the procurement documents (together "the Services"). The contract shall operate for an initial term of five years, with the option to thereafter extend the contract (at the Council's absolute discretion) for a further period or periods up to a maximum of five years.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The Council at its discretion, may consider the inclusion of additional requirements over the duration of the agreement with the Managing Agent, including the potential provision of additional management services in relation to the Centres and/or the potential incorporation into the contract at a future date of other properties owned by the Council and/or its subsidiary companies.

Renewal: The Council is anticipating entering into a contract with the Managing Agent for an initial term of five years, with the option to extend the contract (at the Council's absolute discretion) for a further period or periods up to five years.

Planning Information

As part of this exercise Sunderland City Council would welcome feedback regarding the draft Specification and other relevant information as outlined within the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire. The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to gather pre-procurement supplier insight regarding this proposed opportunity, including the draft Specification, the procurement timetable and the general delivery model under the potential appointment. Draft documentation and a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire is available via the Open System by the following reference: https://www.open-uk.org/ Open Project Number - Project # OPEN20251574 Important Notes Please note that the draft Specification and any information provided by the Council as part of this engagement (including without limitation this Questionnaire and the draft timetable) is indicative only and of a preliminary nature only. The Council shall not be bound by any information provided as part of this engagement and reserves the right to revise and update any information, documents and the timetable prior to the commencement of the subsequent procurement process. Similarly, any information provided by Suppliers as part of this engagement will be treated as indicative only and will not form part of any subsequent evaluation under the formal procurement process. Suppliers will not be bound by any information submitted in response to this Questionnaire. To ensure a fair, open, and transparent competition at a future date, any market insights gathered during this engagement may be shared in an anonymised and summary form as part of the subsequent procurement process. Completed questionnaires must be returned electronically via Open.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059e7b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040683-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

50 - Repair and maintenance services

70 - Real estate services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

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


CPV Codes

48200000 - Networking, Internet and intranet software package

50300000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment

50700000 - Repair and maintenance services of building installations

70300000 - Real estate agency services on a fee or contract basis

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£4,932,825 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£4,932,825 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
6 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
24 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
1 May 2026 - 30 Apr 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Sunderland City 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
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR1 3AA
Postcode Area
Sunderland
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC23 Sunderland

Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Millfield
Westminster Constituency
Sunderland Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NORTH EAST BUSINESS AND INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040683-2026
    1st May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016676-2026
    24th February 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063497-2025
    8th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058277-2025
    19th September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
  • https://www.open-uk.org/
    The opportunity can be accessed via the NEPO eTender system, Open. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Contract must register their expression of interest and submit the PSQ through the Open eTendering System. If not already registered, suppliers should register on the NEPO eTendering System at https://www.open-uk.org/ PSQ 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 The Contracting Authority reserves the right to vary, amend, update and supplement any aspect of the associated tender documents and final details and versions of the associated tender documents will be provided via the Open eTender system to those suppliers who are successful in being selected to participate in the subsequent tender stage of the procurement process.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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