Official UK procurement notice
Events & Activities Countywide
Authority: Durham County Council (Local council)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionDurham County Council (DCC) is establishing an Open Framework for the delivery of events, attractions, entertainment and community engagement activities across County Durham. Requirements may range from the provision of individual activities and performers to the planning and delivery of large-scale public events and festivals. Initially supporting the Pride in Place programme, the Framework may also be used for other Council-led events and activities, subject to funding availability.
CPV: Entertainment services · Event services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Framework period
- 3 yrs · up to 3 yrs 10 mo from 13 Oct 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 13 Oct 2029
Published description of the framework
Operation of the Open Framework
The Open Framework will be established through a competitive procurement process. Bidders successfully meeting the selection and award criteria will be appointed to the initial framework period.
After the initial period any submissions which are submitted will be evaluated within a 1 month of date of their submission being received.
At predetermined refresh points - yearly prior to extension, the Council reserves the right to reopen the framework to:
- Admit new Bidders.
- Reassess existing Bidders where appropriate.
- Update framework pricing, service offerings and specifications where permitted.
- Ensure continued competition, innovation and market accessibility.
Existing appointed Bidders will remain eligible to receive call-off opportunities provided they continue to satisfy the framework requirements.
All refresh opportunities will be openly advertised and managed via the OPEN portal.
Call-Off Arrangements
Contracts awarded under the Open Framework shall be awarded through the call-off procedure detailed below. The call-off mechanism will be sufficiently clear and precise to support either direct award or further competition, as applicable.
- Direct award should only one supplier be able to provide the service
- Further competition should more than one supplier be able to provide the service.
The appropriate route will be determined by the nature, complexity, value and requirements of the individual event as well as geographical boundaries.
Framework Refresh Process
The Open Framework will be reopened on a regular basis to allow additional Bidders to apply for admission. Bidders not appointed during the initial procurement exercise may apply at any time.
New applicants will be admitted to the Framework on substantially the same terms and conditions as existing Framework Providers, ensuring a consistent and compliant framework structure.
The Council may conduct refresh exercises during the term of the Open Framework. Each refresh will be openly advertised and interested Bidders will be invited to submit responses in accordance with the published procurement documents. Admission to the framework at a refresh point will not affect the validity of existing call-off contracts.
The Framework does not include any guarantee of any minimum volume of services, or any minimum expenditure. Furthermore, appointment under the Framework Agreement does not constitute a commitment by the Council, or any other contracting authority to the exclusive use of the Framework or an individual supplier for such requirements.
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · evaluation weights differ by lotEvery one of these 4 lots carries the same published figure, £300,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Entertainment and PerformersRenewalceiling above
This lot covers the provision of entertainment, performers and audience engagement activities for a range of events, festivals, cultural programmes and community celebrations.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
Musicians, bands and live music performances
DJs, presenters, hosts and compères
Children's entertainment, workshops and family activities
Street theatre, walkabout acts and interactive performers
Cultural, heritage and arts-based performances
Community engagement activities designed to encourage participation and involvement from residents, visitors and community groups
- Economic & financial standing
Bidders members of staff should be DBS checked and the certification supplied to the event manager prior to mobilisation.
Lot #2Event Management Servicesceiling above
This lot covers the provision of professional event management services to support the planning, development, coordination and delivery of events of varying scale and complexity.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
Event planning and project management
Event coordination and on-site delivery
Programme and event content development
Stakeholder and partnership management
Site planning and operational coordination
Health and safety planning and management
- Economic & financial standing
Bidders members of staff should be DBS checked and the certification supplied to the event manager prior to mobilisation.
Lot #3Large-Scale Event Servicesceiling above
This lot covers the delivery of large-scale, complex and flagship events that require specialist expertise, significant operational planning and coordination of multiple stakeholders, contractors and service providers. Events may include major festivals, destination events, civic celebrations and large public gatherings.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
Comprehensive event management services
Event production and technical delivery
Crowd management planning and implementation
Site infrastructure planning and coordination
Multi-day event management and operational oversight
Specialist event consultancy and advisory services
- Economic & financial standing
Bidders members of staff should be DBS checked and the certification supplied to the event manager prior to mobilisation.
Lot #4Event Support Servicesceiling above
This lot covers the provision of specialist event support services, equipment and infrastructure required to facilitate the safe and successful delivery of events. Suppliers may provide individual services or integrated support solutions depending on event requirements.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
Stage, technical and production services
Audio visual, sound and lighting equipment
Temporary structures, marquees and associated infrastructure
Security, stewarding and access control services
Traffic management and event transport solutions
First aid, medical and welfare services
Event branding, signage and wayfinding
Equipment hire and associated support services
- Economic & financial standing
Bidders members of staff should be DBS checked and the certification supplied to the event manager prior to mobilisation.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
| Lot | Quality | Price | Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Entertainment and Performers | 60% | 40% | |
| 2 · Event Management Services | 60% | 40% | |
| 3 · Large-Scale Event Services | 60% | 40% | |
| 4 · Event Support Services | 60% | 40% |
- Economic & financial standing
Bidders members of staff should be DBS checked and the certification supplied to the event manager prior to mobilisation.
- Price carries 40 points on every lot: a 10% discount moves about 4 points.
- “Events & Activities Countywide” 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
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- 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
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 11 Jun 2026, 16:33 BST
- Last source update
- 7 Sept 2026, 16:22 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 12 Oct 2026
- Authority reference
003469- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-084576- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b36cFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 2 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 21 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
The documents must be downloaded from www.open-uk.org ↗
these will be available from 7th September 2026.
Any questions must be raised though this Open system for a response
Timeline
11 Jun 2026 → 13 Oct 2026 · 7 dates- Planning notice published137 days ago11 Jun 2026, 16:33 BST
- Market engagement111 days ago7 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
PME - for Events and Activities within the County
Completion of PME form should be returned via OPEN
- Tender notice published49 days ago7 Sept 2026, 16:22 BST
- Clarification questions by35 days ago21 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends24 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown2 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by14 days ago12 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts14 days ago13 Oct 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 11 Jun 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published11 Jun 2026, 16:33 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published7 Sept 2026, 16:22 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active7 Sept 2026, 16:22 BST
- Procurement method changed7 Sept 2026, 16:22 BST
- Deadline published: 2 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST7 Sept 2026, 16:22 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender