This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Sep 2026 at 13:44

Planning

28 May 2026 at 10:16

Planning

07 May 2026 at 14:09

Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, is procuring office filing, presentation and storage products for its public-sector catalogue framework. The goods include ring binders, lever arch files, box files, manilla and plastic files, folders, dividers, punched pockets, wallets, display books, pencil and document cases, desktop organisers, book covers, clipboards, carry cases, book bags and pencil cases. The framework is split into 10 product lots, covering filing products, plastic presentation items, filing wallets, desktop products, bags and cases, binders and box files, dividers, suspension files, and related stationery. Most goods will be delivered in bulk to ESPO’s distribution centre in Leicester. Book bags and pencil cases may also be delivered directly to ESPO customer premises. The main procurement category is goods, with stationery as the principal classification.

The process has reached tender: ESPO invited offers through an open procedure. Tenders must be submitted electronically or by other permitted means by 12:00 noon on 30 September 2026, and questions must be submitted by 17:00 on 23 September 2026. The framework is expected to run from 1 March 2027 to 31 March 2029, with an option to extend by up to 23 months, until 28 February 2031. Its estimated value is £7,333,333 excluding VAT, or £8,800,000 including VAT. The 10 lots have individual estimated gross values ranging from £130,400 to £2,356,400. Each lot is assessed on 80% price and 20% non-price factors. Economic and technical participation criteria apply. Suppliers pay a 1% framework fee on awarded turnover, quarterly. Award is due by 15 January 2027.

This opportunity suits manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and specialist suppliers of stationery, filing, presentation, storage and related bags or cases. Businesses can compete for individual product lots rather than needing to supply the whole range, and every lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Suppliers should be able to provide consistent product ranges, maintain stock and fulfil bulk orders to Leicester. Lot 10 also requires capability for direct delivery to ESPO customer premises. Relevant experience in supplying public-sector, education or wider institutional customers would support a bid, particularly where it demonstrates dependable distribution, product availability and order fulfilment across varied office and school requirements. The framework may involve orders placed without further competition or further competitions between appointed suppliers, so suppliers should be able to respond to call-off requirements and competitive selections.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

50_27 Office Filing, Presentation and Storage Products

Notice Description

ESPO is a trading department of Leicestershire County Council. It is a non-profit making body owned and operated jointly by six local authorities. We provide a catalogue range, providing our customers with access to over 28,000 products that cover all key areas of education and wider public sector requirements. We are establishing a catalogue framework for the supply of ring binders, box files, manilla files and folders and dividers along with plastic filing, presentation and storage products including punched pockets, plastic pocket wallets, plastic files, display books, dividers, pencil and document cases, desktop products, book covers, clip boards and carry cases, all for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and book bags for delivery direct to ESPO customer premises. The Framework is divided into 10 lots. Please refer to the tender documents for any further details (including further details on each of the lots) - the closing date for submission of Tenders is 12:00 (12 noon / 12pm) on 30 September 2026. To tender (please proceed to step (e) if an expression of interest has already been completed): (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity 50_27 (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen). Any questions or clarifications relating to this tender opportunity should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal, once an Expression of interest has been completed.

Lot Information

Smartbuy Products

Lot 1 is for the supply of office filing, presentation and storage products including but not limited to punch pockets, presentation folders, manila files, document wallets, lever arch files and box files. Delivery is to ESPO's distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Punch Pockets

Lot 2 is for the supply punch pockets for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Plastic Files and Display

Lot 3 is for the supply of plastic files and display products including but not limited to presentation folders, project files, document folders, display books, clip folders, expanding files, binders and card holders for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Filing Wallets

Lot 4 is for the supply of filing wallets including but not limited to stud wallets and document wallets for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Desktop Products and Clipboards

Lot 5 is for the supply of desktop products and clipboards including but not limited to letter trays, drawer towers, magazine files, book storage, pen holders, desk accessories, stackable organisers and clipboards for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Book Covers and Carry Cases

Lot 6 is for the supply of book covers and carry cases for including but not limited to jacket sleeves, carrier bags, mesh bags, carrier wallets, storage boxes, document boxes, suspension files and workbags for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Binders and Box Files

Lot 7 is for the supply of binders and box files including but not limited to lever arch files, ring binders, folders, presentation folders, press boards and box files for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Dividers

Lot 8 is for the supply of file dividers and index tabs for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Suspension Files

Lot 9 is for the supply of suspension files for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Book Bags and Pencil Cases

Lot 10 is for the supply of book bags, document case bags, backpacks, gym bags and pencil cases for bulk delivery to the ESPO distribution centre, Leicester, and for direct delivery to ESPO customer premises.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 50_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Planning Information

The purpose of the Pre-Market Engagement (PME) is to cover a range of topics designed to best explore our requirements in a possible future procurement. These topics may include: 1. Develop ESPO’s requirements and approach to the procurement. 2. Help better identify suitable suppliers in the market and to understand their supply chains. 3. Understand products/service offerings from suppliers and the marketplace in general. Engagement with suppliers is anticipated to be a mix of methods, including Requests for Information (RFI) hosted on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org), and meetings (both virtual and in-person). Visits to supplier’s premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use. Suppliers wishing to participate in the engagement process must first express an interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '50_27' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Suppliers can then access the RFI questionnaire in the ‘Messages’ section via the ‘Activity’ dashboard once an expression of interest has been registered - the deadline for responding to the RFI is 17:00 (5pm) on 03 July 2026. Responses to the RFI as well as any questions or clarifications should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal. Notwithstanding the above process, as this procurement exercise is a renewal of an existing ESPO framework, ESPO reserves the right to engage with some, all or none of the incumbent suppliers appointed to the existing ESPO framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expressions of interests and/or a RFI exercise.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06936e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082661-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

22 - Printed matter and related products

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


CPV Codes

18923000 - Pouches and wallets

18931100 - Rucksacks

22851000 - Binders

22852000 - Folders

30191130 - Clipboards

30192000 - Office supplies

30192134 - Pencil holders

30192700 - Stationery

30197210 - Ring binders

30199000 - Paper stationery and other items

30199500 - Box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles

30199600 - Dividers for stationery

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,333,333 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£7,333,334 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
30 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 20262 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Leicestershire County 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
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE19 1ES
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Blaby
Electoral Ward
Enderby
Westminster Constituency
South Leicestershire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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