---
title: "NEPRO x Financial Resilience"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED"
published: "2026-04-14"
---

# NEPRO x Financial Resilience

Buyer: THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f

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## Summary

The procurement process titled "NEPRO x Financial Resilience" has been completed by The Association of North East Councils Limited (NEPO), a public authority classified as sub-central government. Located in Gateshead, United Kingdom, NEPO has successfully established a framework aimed at enhancing financial resilience for Contracting Authorities. This procurement, categorised under services, was concluded with an agreement involving two large suppliers, Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, who have been appointed through an open procedure. The procurement, active as of 1 April 2026, allows for a flexible contract model spanning an initial term of four years, with options to extend twice by a further two years each, potentially culminating in an eight-year duration. The total contract value is estimated at £4 billion, with a framework rebate arrangement capping at 0.8% of the invoice value. The framework can be utilised by NEPO Members and future Associate Members, providing comprehensive financial services to support organisational change and fiscal stability across the UK, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey.

This tender opens up significant opportunities for firms in financial consultancy, financial software services, IT support, and business services sectors to engage in strategic partnerships that serve public bodies. With a focus on areas like asset rationalisation, debt management, digital transformation, and revenue generation, businesses can leverage this framework to expand service offerings and conduct large-scale projects. Companies with expertise in financial modelling, training services, and sector collaboration will find competitive advantages, especially in delivering robust solutions during financial pressures. The single-lot structure accommodates diverse needs, allowing suppliers already engaged with Contracting Authorities for specific services to extend collaboration without crossover conflicts. By fostering innovation and tailored engagements, the framework stands as an ideal platform for seasoned players aiming to deliver high-quality, outcomes-focused services while supporting the financial resilience of UK public sector entities.

## Notice

NEPO is establishing a Closed Framework for NEPRO x Financial Resilience. The objective of this procurement is to provide Contracting Authorities with a suite of financial-based services that can be deployed in a compliant and efficient manner to support Financial Resilience. The solution aims to support Contracting Authorities to strengthen and sustain their financial stability, particularly during periods of fiscal pressure and organisational change. NEPRO x Financial Resilience is a new framework for NEPO. As a strategic procurement solution, the Framework will fall under NEPO's 'NEPRO' brand. NEPRO provides outcomes-based frameworks for the public sector. The NEPRO x Financial Resilience Framework will provide a compliant, outcomes-focused route for Contracting Authorities to access expert support in navigating financial pressures and improving long-term sustainability. The Framework supports innovation in financial service delivery, enables tailored engagements, and fosters collaboration across the public sector. This Framework will operate under a single-lot structure. two Suppliers have been appointed to the Framework and may be used by NEPO Members and Associate Members to satisfy any one-off projects, unique requirements, or to enter into a partnership that can best meet their specific, longer-term needs. This multi-Supplier approach allows for alternative contracting options where a Contracting Authority may already be engaged with a Supplier to undertake auditing services, for example, and therefore may not use the same supplier for other financial services or projects. This framework will cover areas including but not be limited to the following: - Asset Rationalisation and Disposal - Cost Control and Resource Optimisation - Debt and Financial Risk Management - Digital Transformation and Innovation - Revenue Generation and Service Diversification - Shared Services and Strategic Partnerships - External Funding and Grant Maximisation - Strategic and Financial Advisory - Operational Restructuring and Improvement - Organisational Restructuring and Local Government Reorganisation - Transformation, Project, and Change Management - Procurement and Contract Management - Technical Accounting, Tax, and Financial Modelling - Sector Collaboration The NEPRO Financial Resilience Framework supports authorities facing financial pressures by offering tailored, high-quality support at transparent and sustainable rates, with Best Price Assurance to demonstrate Value for Money. The framework embeds social value outcomes, supports collaboration through a buyer community, and ensures robust governance, compliance, and contract management. It enables both short-term interventions and long-term strategic partnerships, delivered by experienced suppliers to address immediate and future public-sector financial challenges, including organisational design, workforce planning, innovation, and sector-wide knowledge sharing. NEPO expects the typical value of projects being delivered under the framework will be at PS25K and above. There will be no maximum projects value. The successful bidders has been chosen through a single stage open procedure.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The framework is for a period of 48 months with the options to extend for up to a further 2 x 24-month periods. Justification for the longer framework term is provided under section 6 of this notice.

### Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold preliminary market engagement meetings with suppliers to help shape the future Framework. The preliminary market engagement meetings are advertised openly via this notice but are limited to a particular number of meetings. Preliminary market engagement meetings will take place between 24/03/2025 - 28/03/2025. The preliminary market engagement meetings are advertised openly using this notice.
The "Market Consultation Questionnaire" (Market engagement invite) will be made accessible via the Open e-tendering system on Wednesday 26th February 2025 with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. on Wednesday 12th March 2025.
Suppliers wishing to access and complete the "Market Consultation Questionnaire" (Market engagement invite) must first register on the e-tendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org. 
Within the Questionnaire, Suppliers will be given the opportunity to register for a market engagement meeting via directly emailing NEPRO to select two meeting dates highlighting their preferred choice.
Preliminary market engagement meetings are limited in number and will take place the week commencing Monday 24th March 2025. Appointments will be no longer than 150 mins. 
NEPO intends to conduct these sessions in person in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. In person meetings will be determined via correspondence but are expected to take place at NEPO's offices. The time and location of each appointment will be confirmed following the registration deadline. NEPO may, by exception, use its discretion to facilitate online meetings in the event that in-person meetings are not feasible for suppliers. Places will be secured on a first-come, first-serve basis via directly emailing NEPRO to select two meeting dates highlighting their preferred choice.
Suppliers wishing to attend the preliminary market engagement meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements outlined within this notification. 
NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place. Attendance at the market engagement is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Attendance also does not constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement.
Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake. In addition to the preliminary market engagement meetings, NEPO may also publish a preliminary market engagement questionnaire via our Open E-Procurement system. Should this be issued, the questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market engagement meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO536 Framework design. Should the questionnaire be issued, this will be published through Open for access and completion.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033516-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Dec 2025 |
| Future notice date | 30 Jul 2025 |
| Award date | 5 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,000,000,000 |
| Lots value | £4,000,000,000 |
| Awards value | £4,000,000,000 |
| Contracts value | £4,000,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED |
| Locality | GATESHEAD |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE8 3DF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Gateshead |
| Electoral ward | Bridges |
| Westminster constituency | Gateshead Central and Whickham |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | ERNST & YOUNG; GRANT THORNTON UK ADVISORY & TAX |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 66 - Financial and insurance services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 48410000 - Investment management and tax preparation software package
- 48440000 - Financial analysis and accounting software package
- 48460000 - Analytical, scientific, mathematical or forecasting software package
- 48810000 - Information systems
- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 80500000 - Training services

## Release History

- 14 Apr 2026 at 07:50 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033516-2026
- 5 Mar 2026 at 13:29 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019928-2026
- 5 Dec 2025 at 12:01 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080089-2025
- 26 Nov 2025 at 14:45 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077322-2025
- 30 Oct 2025 at 16:48 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069882-2025
- 19 Jun 2025 at 12:24 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033701-2025
- 26 Feb 2025 at 15:38 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007322-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033516-2026
  14th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019928-2026
  5th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080089-2025
  5th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077322-2025
  26th November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069882-2025
  30th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033701-2025
  19th June 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007322-2025
  26th February 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14664

## Notice URLs

- http://www.grantthornton.co.uk
- http://www.nepo.org
- http://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/permissible-users
- https://www.ey.com/en_uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.nepo.org/about
- https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership
- https://www.open-hub.org/training
- https://www.open-uk.org
- https://www.open-uk.org/
- https://www.openhub.org/training

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e82f.json.