Tender

IT Neutral Vendor Framework

HEART ACADEMIES TRUST

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Dec 2025 at 15:43

Planning

31 Oct 2025 at 12:09

PlanningUpdate

20 Oct 2025 at 14:49

PlanningUpdate

16 Oct 2025 at 10:59

Planning

14 Oct 2025 at 10:59

Summary of the contracting process

HEART Academies Trust, a sub-central government public authority, is spearheading a procurement initiative titled "IT Neutral Vendor Framework" aimed at the education sector, though it is extendable to all public sector organisations. The framework seeks to establish a Neutral Vendor Managed Service model catering to a broad array of ICT goods and services. The procurement stage is active, with an open competitive procedure scheduled in two stages. The submission deadlines are set for Stage 1 on 12th December 2025 and Stage 2 concluding on 23rd January 2026. The procurement promises an extensive contract totalling £800 million in value with potential engagement across the UK, set to commence on 1st April 2026, running until 30th March 2030.

This tender is an attractive opportunity for suppliers capable of functioning as a neutral vendor, as it offers a significant platform for consolidating and expanding their client base across the public sector. Businesses specialising in ICT services, office and computing machinery, telecommunications, and related consultancy services would find this framework particularly beneficial. Suppliers will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of public sector bodies, providing managed services and demonstrating value through competitive pricing and quality services. The framework underlines sustainability and social value, aligning procurement activity with broader social and environmental objectives, and thus, businesses with strong sustainability credentials and the capability to deliver social value alongside competitive pricing will be well-suited to compete in this process.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

IT Neutral Vendor Framework

Notice Description

This Framework Contract will adopt a Neutral Vendor Managed Service model to offer a 'one stop shop' for all in scope ICT goods and services based on the Framework CPV codes. The Neutral Vendor will act a single interface between the Customer and the Supply Chain. The Framework is primarily focused on the Education Sector, but must be available and suitable for all public sector organisations. This Procurement is for the appointment of a Neutral Vender. Only Suppliers capable of acting as a Neutral Vendor should apply at this stage. After the Framework Award, the appointed Neutral Vendor will start the process to build their supply chain with suppliers for each area.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Where additional CPV codes are required, this can be proposed by the Neutral Vendor. The Framework Owner may opt to include additional codes through a contract variation if it is justified and is within the scope of ICT delivery.

Planning Information

We will undertake a market engagement session relating to this procurement on 17th November. The purpose of this engagement is to support suppliers in preparing for the forthcoming procurement opportunity in a fair, transparent, and informed manner. To participate in the engagement session, please email an expression of interest to procurement@heartacademiestrust.co.uk by Wed 12th November. Suppliers are invited to submit questions during the engagement process; all questions will be collated and responded to in a non-attributed format to ensure equal access to information across the market. Questions should be submitted by email to procurement@heartacademiestrust.co.uk. The session will take place via Microsoft Teams on 17th November at 14:00. A copy of the engagement session, recording and any non-attributed questions received and answers will be issued as part of the tender pack to ensure equal treatment.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cc2a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078592-2025
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
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

42 - Industrial machinery

48 - Software package and information systems

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

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

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


CPV Codes

30000000 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

42960000 - Command and control system, printing, graphics, office automation and information-processing equipment

48000000 - Software package and information systems

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

51300000 - Installation services of communications equipment

51600000 - Installation services of computers and office equipment

64200000 - Telecommunications services

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

79210000 - Accounting and auditing services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79500000 - Office-support services

79800000 - Printing and related services

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
1 Dec 20253 days ago
Submission Deadline
12 Dec 20251 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 30 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Additional Buyers

VALUE MATCH SERVICES LTD

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@heartacademiestrust.co.uk, tenders@value-match.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK42 9TR
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Great Boughton
Westminster Constituency
Chester North and Neston

Further Information

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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