TenderlineUK
Procurement Intelligence
Search
Find a TenderAwardedContract award notice
Published 7 May 2026, 14:19 BST

Official UK procurement notice

286_27 Musical Instruments · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO (Local council)

Framework agreement3 lotsGoodsOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment (32)Medical Devices & Pharma (33)Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories (37) Delivery: UK
Framework ceiling (notional)£833,333total for 3 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 2 value updates
Submissions closed 4 Sept 2026awarded 8 Oct 2026
Award (standstill) to DRUMS FOR SCHOOLS LIMITED (05916170) +6 more3 awards
Framework period 2 yrs 1 moends 31 Mar 2029 · up to 28 Feb 2031 with extensions · starts 1 Mar 2027

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The procurement has been undertaken as per UK4 Tender notice identifier: 2026/S 000-074181 (000-074181); Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-06937b.

ESPO is a trading department of Leicestershire County Council. It is a non-profit making body owned and operated jointly by six local authorities. We provide a catalogue range, providing our customers with access to over 28,000 products that cover all key areas of education and wider public sector requirements.

This procurement establishes a catalogue framework for the supply of Musical Instruments and associated products for ESPO stock and for direct delivery to end user establishments.

The Framework is divided into 3 lots.

CPV: Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction · Audio equipment accessories · Audio-visual equipment · Microphones and loudspeakers · Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories · Recording systems and exploration devices · Sound recordings

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Bids received
7 bids on the busiest of 3 lots · 7 suppliers appointed
Framework period
2 yrs 1 mo · up to 4 yrs from 1 Mar 2027
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

1% of call-off value · As a public body, ESPO has a statutory obligation to recover the costs incurred in the management of this Framework. This obligation is met by means of a Framework Fee that will be payable by Suppliers to ESPO and will be based on a percentage of the total turnover of business conducted by them under the Framework.

The Framework Fee will be at a rate of 1% for this Framework and shall be payable every three months.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Published description of the framework

It should be noted that the Framework could be used, as outlined in option 1 and 2 below, by ESPO where Musical Instruments are required:

Option 1 - Call-off without competition

'Calling-off' Goods from the awarded Supplier who is a) included in the Framework and b) identified as offering the most advantageous solution to ESPO's requirements, based on the Framework award decision.

For all Lots (including sub-lots), purchase orders will be placed with the awarded Supplier(s) as required by ESPO.

Option 2 - Call-off with competition (Further Competitive Selection Process)

'Calling-off' through a further competitive selection process between suppliers appointed to the relevant Lot or Sub-Lot and capable of meeting the requirement. As such, all Framework Suppliers may not be invited to every further competition.

Please refer to the tender documents for any further details.

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · evaluation weights differ by lot
Lot #1Supply of Musical InstrumentsAwardedRenewal 2 yrs 1 moSMEPublished value£500,000

Lot 1 is for the supply of musical instruments including but not limited to percussion packs, glockenspiels, chime bars, xylophones, world music, bongos, drums and accessories, ocarinas and ocarina resources, guitars and guitar accessories, keyboards, pianos and accessories, brass, woodwind and string instruments, electrical equipment for music and music stands and storage all for use in educational environments. Goods for delivery to ESPO, Leicester, or direct delivery to individual customer establishments.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2029 (2 yrs 1 mo) · up to 28 Feb 2031 with extensionsValue: £500,000 exc. VAT · £600,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 286_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope. · Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.
32321200 Audio-visual equipment32330000 Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction32340000 Microphones and loudspeakers32351300 Audio equipment accessories32353000 Sound recordings33120000 Recording systems and exploration devices
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

  • Technical & professional ability

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

Lot #2Musical Instrument EssentialsAwardedRenewal 2 yrs 1 moSMEPublished value£233,333

Lot 2 is for the supply of musical instruments including but not limited to glockenspiels, tuned percussion tubes, djembes, recorders and ukuleles all for use in educational environments. Goods for delivery to ESPO, Leicester, or direct delivery to individual customer establishments.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2029 (2 yrs 1 mo) · up to 28 Feb 2031 with extensionsValue: £233,333 exc. VAT · £280,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 286_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope. · Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.
37000000 Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

  • Technical & professional ability

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

Lot #3Smartbuy Musical InstrumentAwardedRenewal 2 yrs 1 moSMEPublished value£100,000

Lot 3 is for the supply of musical instruments including but not limited to percussion packs, tambourines, castanets, triangles, claves, tuned percussion tubes, recorders and ukuleles all for use in educational environments. Goods for direct delivery to individual customer establishments.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2029 (2 yrs 1 mo) · up to 28 Feb 2031 with extensionsValue: £100,000 exc. VAT · £120,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 286_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope. · Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.
37000000 Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

  • Technical & professional ability

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

LotQualityPriceSplit
1 · Supply of Musical Instruments80%20%
2 · Musical Instrument Essentials20%80%
3 · Smartbuy Musical Instrument20%80%
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

  • Technical & professional ability

    Refer to the tender documents for conditions of participation.

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 20–80 points depending on the lot; most lots put it at 80 points.
  • “286_27 Musical Instruments” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
7 May 2026, 14:19 BST
Last source update
16 Oct 2026, 11:51 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 4 Dec 2026
Authority reference
286_27
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-074181
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Classification (CPV)
Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproductionAudio equipment accessoriesAudio-visual equipmentMicrophones and loudspeakersMusical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessoriesRecording systems and exploration devicesSound recordings
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06937b Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: East Midlands Tendering
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free regional portal
Appointment period ends
4 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
21 Aug 2026, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

call-off levy · 1% of call-off value · As a public body, ESPO has a statutory obligation to recover the costs incurred in the management of this Framework. This obligation is met by means of a Framework Fee that will be payable by Suppliers to ESPO and will be based on a percentage of the total turnover of business conducted by them under the Framework.

The Framework Fee will be at a rate of 1% for this Framework and shall be payable every three months.

For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Refer to all instructions captured via www.eastmidstenders.org ↗

Timeline

7 May 2026 → 1 Mar 2027 · 11 dates
  1. Planning notice published166 days ago
    7 May 2026, 14:19 BST
  2. Market engagement122 days ago
    19 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST

    The purpose of the Pre-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 to understand 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) hosted on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org ↗), and meetings (both virtual and in-person). Visits to supplier’s premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use.

    Suppliers wishing to participate in the engagement process must first express an interest as follows:

    (a) Go to www.eastmidstenders.org ↗; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '286_27' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest.

    Suppliers can then access the RFI questionnaire in the ‘Messages’ section via the ‘Activity’ dashboard once an expression of interest has been registered - the deadline for responding to the RFI is 17:00 (5pm) on 12 June 2026. Responses to the RFI as well as any questions or clarifications should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal.

    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 ESPO framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expressions of interests and/or a RFI exercise.

  3. Tender notice published76 days ago
    5 Aug 2026, 13:06 BST
  4. Clarification questions by60 days ago
    21 Aug 2026, 17:00 BST
  5. Admission / appointment period ends46 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    4 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
  6. Next notice expected45 days ago
    4 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
  7. Assessment summaries sent4 days ago
    16 Oct 2026, 00:00 BST
  8. Latest notice published4 days ago
    16 Oct 2026, 11:51 BST
  9. Today
    20 Oct 2026
  10. Standstill endsin 8 days
    27 Oct 2026, 23:59 GMT
  11. Award decision expected byin 46 days
    4 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
  12. Contract startsin 132 days
    1 Mar 2027

Notice history

11 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 7 May 2026
  1. Pipeline notice published
    7 May 2026, 14:19 BST
    UK1
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    28 May 2026, 09:36 BST
    UK2
  3. Published value published: £583,333
    28 May 2026, 09:36 BST
  4. Tender notice published
    5 Aug 2026, 13:06 BST
    UK4
  5. Published value updated to £833,333
    5 Aug 2026, 13:06 BST
    was £583,333
  6. Status changed to active
    5 Aug 2026, 13:06 BST
  7. Procurement method changed
    5 Aug 2026, 13:06 BST
  8. Deadline published: 4 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
    5 Aug 2026, 13:06 BST
  9. Contract award notice published
    16 Oct 2026, 11:51 BST
    UK6
  10. Status changed to complete
    16 Oct 2026, 11:51 BST
  11. Contract signature expected
    28 Oct 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
Routine re-releases (4)
  • 2026-05: 1 release · 7 May 2026

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 73 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 77 from SMEs · busiest of 3 lots
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Supply of Musical Instruments1 award
DRUMS FOR SCHOOLS LIMITED (05916170)SME, FREDERICK HYDE LIMITED (03112115) - t/a Chamberlain MusicSME, NORMANS (BURTON UPON TRENT) LIMITED (00707581) - t/a Normans Musical InstrumentsSME, OCARINA WORKSHOP LIMITED (03545334)SME, SARTORIS PRODUCTS LIMITED (00438325) - t/a Educational AidsSME, THE SOUNDBEAM PROJECT LIMITED (05053919)SME +1 more1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 28 Feb 2031Extensions: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. · Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.£500,0008 Oct 2026standstill to 27 Oct 2026Standstill
Lot 2 · Musical Instrument Essentials1 award
NORMANS (BURTON UPON TRENT) LIMITED (00707581) - t/a Normans Musical InstrumentsSME1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 28 Feb 2031Extensions: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. · Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.£233,3338 Oct 2026standstill to 27 Oct 2026Standstill
Lot 3 · Smartbuy Musical Instrument1 award
FREDERICK HYDE LIMITED (03112115) - t/a Chamberlain MusicSME, NORMANS (BURTON UPON TRENT) LIMITED (00707581) - t/a Normans Musical InstrumentsSME1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 28 Feb 2031Extensions: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. · Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are within the Framework scope.£100,0008 Oct 2026standstill to 27 Oct 2026Standstill

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Supply of Musical Instruments7final-stage tenders70—
2 · Musical Instrument Essentials2final-stage tenders · 7 at stage one20—
3 · Smartbuy Musical Instrument2final-stage tenders · 7 at stage one20—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PYDD-1122-TCVN Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, East Midlands, LE19 1ESContact name, email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

7 commercial parties on the notice

Official documents & specifications (8)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Technical specifications tenderTechnical specificationsPlease refer to the tender documents (see above for further details including summary instructions on how to access these).
  • Bidding documents and specifications tenderBidding documents and specificationsTo 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 286_27 (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMids…

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender