Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

286_27 Musical Instruments

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

28 May 2026 at 08:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 May 2026 at 13:19

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, is initiating the procurement process for a framework titled "286_27 Musical Instruments," focused on supplying musical instruments and related products primarily for the education sector, including primary and secondary schools. This procurement, currently in the planning stage, is outlined as a pre-market engagement to establish requirements and identify suitable suppliers. The engagement process includes submitting a Request for Information (RFI) by 17:00 on 12 June 2026. The overall process aims to finalise by 19 June 2026, with the procurement's delivery commencing on 1 March 2027 and potentially continuing until 31 March 2029, with further extensions possible. The procurement category is classified under "goods," and the procurement is valued at approximately £700,000, gross amount. The goods will primarily be delivered to ESPO’s distribution centre in Leicester but will also be made available across the UK.

This tender presents exciting growth opportunities for businesses involved in the manufacturing and supply of musical instruments and associated equipment. It is especially promising for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a track record in this sector. Companies specialising in percussion instruments, electronic equipment, and audio accessories could find significant opportunities, as the framework includes a variety of lots covering these areas. Participating businesses have the chance to expand their reach by supplying to a reputable public authority and leveraging ESPO’s robust logistics network, thereby enhancing visibility and boosting sales within the public sector market. The procurement framework's structure and the possibility of continuous renewal make it an attractive long-term contract for suitable suppliers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

286_27 Musical Instruments

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 Musical Instruments and associated products for use in the Education Sector including early years, but mainly in Primary and Secondary Schools. The products covered by this proposed Framework will be purchased for re-sale, and orders will be placed according to demand. Delivery shall be to ESPO's distribution centre in Leicester, and for delivery directly to ESPO's customers throughout the UK. The Framework is envisaged to include the following Lots (subject to change): Lot 1. Percussion Assorted Product, Class Packs, Percussion Packs, Handheld Percussion, World Percussion and Tune Percussion Lot 2. Tuned Percussion, Percussion Drums and World Percussion Instruments Lot 3. Tuned Instruments, Plastic Instruments, Recorders, Ocarinas, Stringed Instruments, Ukuleles and Guitars, Keyboards and Piano Lot 4. Trolleys, Cabinets, Storage & Music Stands Lot 5. Electronic Equipment; Amps and cables Audio and Studio, Recording and Equipment Mixing, Microphones and vocal effects processors PA's and Speakers Lot 6. Brass and Woodwind 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 '286_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 12 June 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-06937b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050061-2026
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

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

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

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

CPV Codes

32321200 - Audio-visual equipment

32330000 - Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction

32340000 - Microphones and loudspeakers

32351300 - Audio equipment accessories

32353000 - Sound recordings

33120000 - Recording systems and exploration devices

37000000 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£583,333 £500K-£1M
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-06937b-2026-05-28T09:36:18+01:00",
    "date": "2026-05-28T09:36:18+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06937b",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "041986-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041986-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-07T14:19:49+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "050061-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050061-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-28T09:36:18+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 '286_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 12 June 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": "2026-06-19T23:59:59+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": "286_27",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "286_27 Musical Instruments",
        "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 Musical Instruments and associated products for use in the Education Sector including early years, but mainly in Primary and Secondary Schools. The products covered by this proposed Framework will be purchased for re-sale, and orders will be placed according to demand. Delivery shall be to ESPO's distribution centre in Leicester, and for delivery directly to ESPO's customers throughout the UK. The Framework is envisaged to include the following Lots (subject to change): Lot 1. Percussion Assorted Product, Class Packs, Percussion Packs, Handheld Percussion, World Percussion and Tune Percussion Lot 2. Tuned Percussion, Percussion Drums and World Percussion Instruments Lot 3. Tuned Instruments, Plastic Instruments, Recorders, Ocarinas, Stringed Instruments, Ukuleles and Guitars, Keyboards and Piano Lot 4. Trolleys, Cabinets, Storage & Music Stands Lot 5. Electronic Equipment; Amps and cables Audio and Studio, Recording and Equipment Mixing, Microphones and vocal effects processors PA's and Speakers Lot 6. Brass and Woodwind 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": "37000000",
                        "description": "Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32340000",
                        "description": "Microphones and loudspeakers"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32321200",
                        "description": "Audio-visual equipment"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32351300",
                        "description": "Audio equipment accessories"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32353000",
                        "description": "Sound recordings"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "33120000",
                        "description": "Recording systems and exploration devices"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "32330000",
                        "description": "Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 700000,
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 583333
        },
        "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"
}