--- title: "Market Engagement Questionnaire - Marketing Services Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064abc" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064abc" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064abc.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064abc.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL" published: "2026-02-23" --- # Market Engagement Questionnaire - Marketing Services Framework Buyer: SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064abc [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064abc) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064abc.json) ## Summary Sunderland City Council is in the planning stage of a new procurement process for a Marketing Services Framework, with essential activities scheduled around 5 March 2026. The contract is set to commence on 1 July 2026 and continue through to 2030, covering various lots including Strategy and Planning, Design, Photography, Video, Media Buying, Specialist Consultancy Services, and Web and Digital. This procurement process falls under the services industry category and is aimed at serving the Council and its local authority trading companies. Prospective suppliers should note that preliminary market engagement is ongoing, and participation via a questionnaire on the OPEN portal is encouraged to shape the framework's development. The Council intends to advertise the framework through an open procedure and engaged businesses should be prepared for a future notice release around 27 March 2026. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in marketing services to expand their portfolio while aligning with Sunderland City Council's marketing strategy requirements. With an inclusive approach that favours SMEs and VCSEs, the framework is designed to ensure a wide array of service providers, including those with innovative ideas in communications consultancy, can compete effectively. Particularly suited for businesses that offer integrated marketing strategies, media buying, digital marketing, and more, this framework offers a stable, long-term partnership opportunity over four years. Companies involved in marketing services should consider registering on the OPEN portal to access documentation and engage with Sunderland City Council’s procurement process efficiently. ## Notice Market Engagement Questionnaire for Marketing Services Framework Sunderland City Council (the Council) has advertised the Market Engagement Questions on the OPEN portal (https://open-uk.org/) in regards to the following opportunity: The Council is seeking to establish a framework for Marketing Services. The scope of the framework will be utilised by the Council and its Local Authority trading companies. It is expected that the contract will commence on approximately 1 July 2026 for a period of 4 years. In line with the Council's core requirements, the framework is anticipated to be divided into the following Lots: Lot 1 - Strategy and Planning Integrated marketing and communications strategies, translating the strategy into, and producing, actionable, effective, cost efficient and measurable communications plans across all relevant channels, including online, offline, owned and earned, as well as paid-for media and brand development Lot 2 - Design Full design service across all types of projects. Lot 3 - Photography Development and production services on a standalone basis. Lot 4 - Video Development and production services on a standalone basis Lot 5 - Media Buying Advising on targeted paid for marketing and can provide all media buying services for the Councils communications campaigns. Lot 6 - Specialist Consultancy Services New and innovative communications ideas and consultancy on specific subjects. Lot 7 - Web and Digital Online copywriting, SEO optimisation, digital strategy and planning, digital marketing implementation The framework is anticipated to be a ranked framework with the ability to call-off and is expected to commence in July 2026. The framework opportunity will be advertised on OPEN . ### Planning Information The Council are carrying out market engagement in regards to the Marketing Services Framework via a questionnaire which is available for any suppliers to complete via OPEN portal (https://open-uk.org/). This is to determine market interest in the process and for you to help inform the development of the Marketing Services Framework commissioned in Sunderland. • As a provider, you have important insights into what will or won't work in service delivery. This is your opportunity to influence the development of the specification. Please note that any information you provide may be used to inform and influence the development of the service. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015919-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 16 Mar 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL | | Locality | SUNDERLAND | | Post town | Sunderland | | Postcode | SR1 3AA | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear | | ITL 3 | TLC44 Sunderland | | Local authority | Sunderland | | Electoral ward | Millfield | | Westminster constituency | Sunderland Central | | Delivery location | TLC23 Sunderland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79342000 - Marketing services ## Release History - 23 Feb 2026 at 09:54 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015919-2026 - 11 Feb 2026 at 09:58 - PlanningUpdate - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012224-2026 - 9 Feb 2026 at 08:11 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011207-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015919-2026 23rd February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012224-2026 11th February 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011207-2026 9th February 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://open-uk.org/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.sunderland.gov.uk ## 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-064abc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064abc.json.