Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

161_27 Artist Grounds', Brushes, Art Pads and Painting Tools

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

28 May 2026 at 09:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 May 2026 at 13:12

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, is in the planning stage of a public procurement process titled "161_27 Artist Grounds’, Brushes, Art Pads and Painting Tools," primarily targeting the handicraft and art supplies industry. This procurement is set in the United Kingdom and involves establishing a framework for these supplies, with deliveries expected both to ESPO's distribution centre in Leicester and directly to various UK establishments. The pre-market engagement phase mandates interested suppliers to express interest by 3 July 2026, with the procurement's framework planned to start on 1 March 2027 and potentially extend until 2031. This process falls under the legal basis of UKPGA 2023/54, with goods procurement above the threshold and the use of a framework agreement as the selection technique.

This tender offers substantial business growth opportunities for suppliers of artistic materials, such as artist brushes, painting tools, and related supplies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a proven track record in the art supply industry are particularly well-suited to compete for inclusion in this framework. This engagement will help ESPO identify capable suppliers and understand the marketplace, creating a viable avenue for businesses poised to enhance their market presence within the educational and wider public sectors. With an estimated gross value of £6,000,000, participation in this procurement can significantly boost a company’s portfolio and sales through ESPO’s expansive catalogue reach.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

161_27 Artist Grounds', Brushes, Art Pads and Painting Tools

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 conducting preliminary market engagement with the intention of establishing a framework for the supply of of Artist Grounds', Brushes, Art Pads and Painting Tools. The products covered by this proposed Framework will be purchased for re-sale, and orders will be placed according to demand. Delivery shall typically be to ESPO's distribution centre in Leicester. Also, a small number of products will require delivery directly to ESPO's customers throughout the UK. The Framework is envisaged to include the following Lots (subject to change): Lot 1. Artist Brushes Lot 2. Painting Tools and Equipment Lot 3. Artist Books, Pads and Papers Lot 4. Canvasses and Wooden Easels Lot 5. Drying Wracks and Metal Easels Lot 6. Portfolios Lot 7. Pots, Palettes and Jars The above Lot structure is for information only and some details may be amended within the invitation to tender. This Pre Market Engagement aims to identify capable suppliers in the market with track record in delivering goods within this product category. We are requesting information from relevant organisations to help us define our requirements (please refer to the Engagement process description section of this notice for further details). This is not a call for competition. Tender documentation is not yet available.

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 '161_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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069373
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050151-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

37 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

CPV Codes

30197600 - Processed paper and paperboard

37800000 - Handicraft and art supplies

39162000 - Educational equipment

39224210 - Painters' brushes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO
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
Post Town
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

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-069373-2026-05-28T10:51:49+01:00",
    "date": "2026-05-28T10:51:49+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-069373",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "041966-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041966-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-07T14:12:53+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "050151-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050151-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-28T10:51:49+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "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 '161_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.",
                "dueDate": "2026-07-10T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PYDD-1122-TCVN",
            "name": "Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PYDD-1122-TCVN"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby",
                "locality": "Leicester",
                "postalCode": "LE19 1ES",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKF22"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Catalogue Procurement Team",
                "email": "tenders@espo.org"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.espo.org/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PYDD-1122-TCVN",
        "name": "Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "161_27",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "161_27 Artist Grounds', Brushes, Art Pads and Painting Tools",
        "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 conducting preliminary market engagement with the intention of establishing a framework for the supply of of Artist Grounds', Brushes, Art Pads and Painting Tools. The products covered by this proposed Framework will be purchased for re-sale, and orders will be placed according to demand. Delivery shall typically be to ESPO's distribution centre in Leicester. Also, a small number of products will require delivery directly to ESPO's customers throughout the UK. The Framework is envisaged to include the following Lots (subject to change): Lot 1. Artist Brushes Lot 2. Painting Tools and Equipment Lot 3. Artist Books, Pads and Papers Lot 4. Canvasses and Wooden Easels Lot 5. Drying Wracks and Metal Easels Lot 6. Portfolios Lot 7. Pots, Palettes and Jars The above Lot structure is for information only and some details may be amended within the invitation to tender. This Pre Market Engagement aims to identify capable suppliers in the market with track record in delivering goods within this product category. We are requesting information from relevant organisations to help us define our requirements (please refer to the Engagement process description section of this notice for further details). This is not a call for competition. Tender documentation is not yet available.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "37800000",
                        "description": "Handicraft and art supplies"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "30197600",
                        "description": "Processed paper and paperboard"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "39162000",
                        "description": "Educational equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "39224210",
                        "description": "Painters' brushes"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 6000000,
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 5000000
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-03-01T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-02-28T23:59:59+00:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-09-04T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planned",
        "aboveThreshold": true
    },
    "language": "en"
}