---
title: "NEPO214 - Grounds Maintenance, Equipment & Plant"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-052746"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-052746"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052746.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052746.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED"
published: "2026-02-06"
---

# NEPO214 - Grounds Maintenance, Equipment & Plant

Buyer: THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-052746

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## Summary

The Association of North East Councils Limited, acting as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), is seeking suppliers for a Framework Agreement titled "NEPO214 - Grounds Maintenance, Equipment & Plant." This procurement process, currently in the tender stage, aims to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot agreement serving contracting authorities across the United Kingdom. The total value of the contract is estimated at £200 million, focusing on agricultural, horticultural, and construction machinery and equipment. The tender is being conducted via an open procedure, with submissions to be completed through the NEPO eTendering system by 16th March 2026. The Framework, which will be in effect from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2030, actively invites participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and aims to benefit all NEPO Member and Associate Member Authorities, as well as members of The Procurement Partnership Limited (TPPL). The procurement will factor in both price and quality, with evaluations having a weight of 70% for price and 30% for quality.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in grounds maintenance, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and related services. Suppliers have the chance to access a wide national market through this Framework, especially those capable of offering competitive pricing and high-quality products. This opportunity is particularly suitable for SMEs as their participation is encouraged, offering potential expansion into new markets while strengthening their financial stability through established contracts. Businesses providing goods within geographical restrictions of the UK and willing to engage in further competition or direct awards within the Framework will find this procurement particularly advantageous for growth and market presence.

## Notice

The Association of North East Councils trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) in partnership with The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot Framework Agreement for Grounds Maintenance, Equipment & Plant for use by contracting authorities throughout the United Kingdom. NEPO intends to publish an Invitation to Tender via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Framework Agreement must register their expression of interest and submit a tender through the NEPO eTendering system. If not already registered, candidates should register on the Open eTender system at https://www.nepo.org/open Tenders must be submitted using the link above. Tenders submitted via post or email methods will not be accepted. Guidance for how to create an account, search for opportunities and respond is included within the Supplier's hub. If you require further support please email open.support@nepo.org

### Lot Information

Grounds Maintenance Equipment and Horticultural Chemicals

Lot 1 covers the supply/purchase of a wide range of grounds maintenance equipment, associated implements, attachments, spare parts, maintenance packages, and related services. This lot also includes the supply of horticultural chemicals and treatments used in grounds maintenance, including but not limited to fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and growth regulators.

Agricultural and Construction Plant Equipment

Lot 2 covers the supply/purchase of new (with refurbished/demonstrator options by exception) agricultural and construction plant equipment, associated implements, attachments, spare parts, and maintenance/servicing packages.

Handheld Tools and Equipment

Lot 3 covers the supply/purchase of new handheld tools and accessories, including all electrically powered (corded and cordless), battery-powered, petrol/diesel-powered, pneumatic, and manually operated mechanical tools used in grounds/landscape maintenance, horticultural and construction environments.

Hire of Equipment Operated or Unoperated

Lot 4 covers the hire (with or without operator for certain items) of all equipment types specified under Lots 1, 2, and 3, plus additional tools, equipment, and powered plant required for planned, emergency, or ad-hoc works. Includes delivery, set-up, de-mobilisation, and where required, fuel, consumables and on-site supervision.

Options: The hire rates submitted under lot 4 for grounds and plant equipment will form the basis of a rate book to be used by members seeking to hire those items via the Framework. This does not limit members from accessing this lot of the Framework to hire equipment not covered by the rate book.

### Planning Information

NEPO intend to publish a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire via the OPEN e-Tendering system (www.open-uk.org). The questionnaire responses will help NEPO design the Framework by providing the level of market interest and provide insight from suppliers on the shaping of the future provision.
The questionnaire will be made accessible via OPEN on 17/09/25 with a submission deadline of 16:00 on 30/09/25. Suppliers wishing to access and complete the questionnaire must first register on OPEN using the link above.
For guidance on how to create an account or submit your questionnaire response through OPEN, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training to access the available Training Guides. Should you require technical assistance from the OPEN Support team, this can be requested via open.support@nepo.org. 
PLEASE NOTE: OPEN is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30.
NEPO also intend to hold a Market Engagement event* with interested suppliers via Microsoft Teams on 01/10/25. This event will include a presentation and Q&A. Suppliers wishing to attend this event are required to register their interest via email to michelle.graham@nepo.org by 16:00 on 24/09/25.
*Attendance is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Nor does it constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement.
Please note the above information may be subject to change.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011014-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 16 Mar 2026 |
| Future notice date | 30 Jan 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £200,000,000 |
| Lots value | £200,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products
- 16 - Agricultural machinery
- 24 - Chemical products
- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 42 - Industrial machinery
- 43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment
- 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)
- 45 - Construction work
- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
- 77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

### Codes

- 03100000 - Agricultural and horticultural products
- 16000000 - Agricultural machinery
- 24400000 - Fertilisers and nitrogen compounds
- 34144000 - Special-purpose motor vehicles
- 42600000 - Machine tools
- 42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery
- 43200000 - Earthmoving and excavating machinery, and associated parts
- 43300000 - Construction machinery and equipment
- 43600000 - Parts of machinery for mining, quarrying and construction
- 44511000 - Hand tools
- 44512000 - Miscellaneous hand tools
- 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 77111000 - Hire of agricultural machinery with operator
- 77112000 - Hire of mowers or agricultural equipment with operator

## Release History

- 6 Feb 2026 at 14:38 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011014-2026
- 15 Sep 2025 at 06:42 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056395-2025
- 27 May 2025 at 15:13 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027848-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011014-2026
  6th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056395-2025
  15th September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027848-2025
  27th May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.nepo.org
- https://open-uk.org/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.nepo.org/about
- https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/current-associate-members
- https://www.nepo.org/open
- https://www.open-hub.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-052746. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052746.json.