--- title: "128_26 Art Papers and Board" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-050931" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050931" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050931.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050931.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO" published: "2026-05-05" --- # 128_26 Art Papers and Board Buyer: LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-050931 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050931) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050931.json) ## Summary The procurement process for the "128_26 Art Papers and Board" contract was conducted by Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, with the framework agreement now completed. This open procedure targeted the supply of art papers and board products, which are to be delivered to both the ESPO Distribution Centre in Leicester and directly to ESPO customers across the UK. The procurement covered multiple industry categories, primarily focusing on art supplies, with a distribution plan for these items across the UK. The award notice was published on 5 May 2026, following the framework award conclusion on 14 April 2026. The contract's initial period is set to start on 13 April 2026 and end on 31 March 2027, with possibilities of extension up to March 2030, indicating a substantial timeline for businesses to engage with the framework. This tender provides diverse business opportunities, particularly for SMEs, as the framework caters predominantly to suppliers fitting this scale. Businesses engaged in the production or distribution of art papers, boards, and related educational equipment are well-suited to participate. ESPO’s framework allows for flexible procurement methods, including direct call-offs and further competitive selection processes. As the framework spans eight distinct lots, businesses can target specific product lines that match their specialties, thereby enhancing their market reach and growth potential within the public procurement sector. The framework's gross value amounting to significant figures underscores the scale and opportunities available for successful suppliers. ## Notice ESPO catalogue framework for the supply of art papers and board, for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and to individual ESPO Customer's premises. The Framework is divided into 8 lots. Note: Overall framework award was concluded on 14/04/2026, with this notice being published to follow on from this. ### Lot Information Bulk Paper Packs Supply of Bulk Paper Pack products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and direct to ESPO Customers. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Poster, Display and Corrugated Paper Supply of Poster, Display and Corrugated Paper products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and direct to ESPO Customers. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Sugar and Crepe Paper Supply of Sugar and Crepe Paper products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester, and direct to ESPO Customers. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Miscellaneous Paper Supply of Miscellaneous Paper products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Recycled Tinted Dyed Card Supply of Recycled Tinted Dyed Card products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Virgin Tinted Dyed Card Supply of Virgin Tinted Dyed Card products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Coated Card Supply of Coated Card products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Mount Board and Foam Board Supply of Mount Board and Foam Board products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the life of the contract within the scope of the framework. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2027), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 35 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. ### Planning Information The purpose of the Preliminary 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 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) and meetings (both virtual and/or in-person). Visits to supplier's premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use. For the purposes of this Preliminary market engagement (PME), please express your interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '128_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation - optional responses are required by 12/05/2025. In the case of any questions or clarifications relating to this PME, these should also be submitted to ESPO as a Message on the eProcurement Portal (again once an Expression of interest has been completed). 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 framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expression of interest and/or RFI exercise. Suppliers should note that this is a preliminary market engagement exercise (and NOT a competitive tender process at this stage). The participation of a supplier in this preliminary market engagement will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and ESPO. A supplier's participation, or lack of participation, in this preliminary market engagement shall not impact the ability of the supplier to participate in any resulting tender exercise. Suppliers should note that any interest indicated does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040950-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Large, SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 5 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 27 Oct 2025 | | Future notice date | 18 Jul 2025 | | Award date | 17 Mar 2026 | | Contract period | 12 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £7,000,000 | | Lots value | £7,000,000 | | Awards value | £5,833,334 | | Contracts value | £5,833,334 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO | | Locality | LEICESTER | | Post town | Leicester | | Postcode | LE19 1ES | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire | | ITL 3 | TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland | | Local authority | Blaby | | Electoral ward | Enderby | | Westminster constituency | South Leicestershire | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 13 | | Supplier names | AMPLE STAR ENTERPRISES; BRIGHT IDEAS MARKETING; BUDGET PAPER SUPPLIES; DALER-ROWNEY; EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGE; GROSVENOR HOUSE PAPERS; HIGHER KINGS MILL; PLASTOREG EASTLIGHT; ST. MAJEWSKI; STATIONERY & CRAFT SELECT; TEXET SALES; VICTORIA GRANT; WIGSTON PAPER | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 22 - Printed matter and related products - 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 ### Codes - 22990000 - Newsprint, handmade paper and other uncoated paper or paperboard for graphic purposes - 22993400 - Corrugated paper or paperboard - 30197645 - Card for printing - 37820000 - Art supplies - 39162000 - Educational equipment ## Release History - 5 May 2026 at 11:17 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040950-2026 - 30 Mar 2026 at 14:17 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029200-2026 - 25 Sep 2025 at 14:33 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059800-2025 - 29 Apr 2025 at 14:22 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017692-2025 - 29 Apr 2025 at 12:59 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017618-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040950-2026 5th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029200-2026 30th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059800-2025 25th September 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017692-2025 29th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017618-2025 29th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ 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 '128_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen). - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15359 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15360 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15361 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15362 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15363 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15364 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15365 128_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15366 128_26 Framework Agreement ## Notice URLs - https://www.espo.org/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-050931. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050931.json.