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NEPRO Total Talent

THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

15 Sep 2026 at 16:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

15 Sep 2026 at 16:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 Sep 2026 at 14:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Association of North East Councils Limited (NEPO) is developing NEPRO Total Talent, a public-sector workforce and talent solution. It is intended to cover contingent labour, recruitment, consultancy, Statements of Work, project-based delivery, specialist professional resources and related workforce services, including requirements inside and outside IR35. The proposed model would appoint a specialist supply partner to provide workforce triage, market navigation and management services, helping contracting authorities identify suitable delivery models and access talent through a compliant commercial route. The service is expected to improve visibility, governance and control of workforce engagement while supporting diverse resource and delivery models. The main categories are recruitment and business and management consultancy services. Delivery may cover the United Kingdom, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not yet an invitation to tender. NEPO plans preliminary market engagement to shape the scope, structure and delivery model, with participation voluntary and separate from any later evaluation. The proposed arrangement is a framework agreement with one lot and an estimated value of £25 billion excluding VAT, or £30 billion including VAT. The initial contract period is expected to run from 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2031, with renewal options potentially extending to 31 August 2035. Suppliers intending to take part in engagement must register on the Open e-Tendering system between 15 September and 6 October 2026. Market engagement sessions are expected in Gateshead from 26 to 30 October 2026, and a future notice is anticipated on 20 November 2026.

This is relevant to organisations able to deliver or coordinate integrated workforce solutions at substantial public-sector scale. NEPO is seeking input from providers with experience in workforce management, talent management, recruitment, contingent labour, consultancy, Statements of Work and related workforce services. Strong candidates are likely to combine workforce triage, supplier and market navigation, governance, compliance and programme management with access to a broad and diverse talent network. Capability across different delivery models, including project-based work and specialist professional resources, will be useful, as will experience handling requirements inside and outside IR35. Technology-enabled solutions that improve visibility, control and efficient access to resource are also relevant. The engagement is intended to help NEPO understand market capability, emerging trends, innovation and delivery models before the potential procurement is designed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

NEPRO Total Talent

Notice Description

NEPO is considering the establishment of NEPRO Total Talent, a solution designed to provide public sector organisations with a compliant and flexible route for accessing and managing a broad range of workforce and talent requirements. The proposed solution is intended to support requirements both inside and outside IR35 and may encompass contingent labour, consultancy services, Statements of Work (SoW), project-based delivery, specialist professional resources and other workforce-related services. It is envisaged that the solution will provide a single, integrated approach to workforce engagement through the appointment of a specialist supply partner. The appointed provider would be expected to deliver workforce triage, market navigation and associated management services, enabling contracting authorities to identify and access the most appropriate delivery model for their specific requirements. The solution is expected to provide contracting authorities with improved visibility, governance and control across workforce engagement activities, whilst supporting access to a diverse range of talent, resource and service delivery models through a compliant and efficient commercial route. NEPRO Total Talent is intended to compliment the rest of the NEPRO suite of solutions providing public sector organisations with access to the most appropriate commercial models, market and expertise to meet their requirements. The precise scope, structure and delivery model of the solution remain subject to ongoing development and will be informed through the preliminary market engagement process.

Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide advance notice to the marketplace of a future opportunity and NEPO's intention to undertake preliminary market engagement with suppliers to help shape a new NEPRO Total Talent solution. NEPO is seeking input from organisations with experience in the provision of integrated workforce, talent management, recruitment, contingent labour, Statement of Work (SoW), consultancy and related workforce solutions. The purpose of this engagement is to better understand current market capabilities, emerging trends, delivery models, technology solutions and innovative approaches that could support public sector organisations in managing a broad range of workforce and talent requirements. Suppliers wishing to participate in the market engagement process must first register on the Open e-Tendering system using the following link where registration will be open from Tuesday 15 September - Tuesday 6 October (www.open-uk.org) Further details regarding the engagement process, including registration for market engagement sessions, will be made available via the Open e-Tendering system. Market engagement sessions are expected to take place between 26 October 2026 and 30 October 2026. Sessions will be limited in number and will last no longer than 90 minutes. NEPO intends to conduct these sessions in person at its office in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. The date, time and location of each session will be confirmed following the registration period. Places may be limited and NEPO reserves the right to manage attendance to ensure a broad representation of the marketplace. Participation in the preliminary market engagement process is entirely voluntary and will not form part of any future procurement evaluation process. Suppliers participating in the engagement activities will not receive any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process. NEPO reserves the right to amend, suspend or cancel the market engagement exercise at any time and does not commit to undertaking any subsequent procurement as a result of this notice. Information gathered during the preliminary market engagement process will be used solely to inform NEPO's understanding of the marketplace and assist in the development of a potential future procurement strategy and solution design.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fa4d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087472-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£25,000,000,000 Over £10B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Nov 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GATESHEAD
Postcode
NE8 3DF
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Gateshead
Electoral Ward
Bridges
Westminster Constituency
Gateshead Central and Whickham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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