Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 23 May 2025, 13:42 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Election and Electoral Registration Print

Official notice

Authority: The Association of North East Councils Limited (Local council)

Open framework schemeGoodsOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£75,000,000framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 5 Aug 2025awarded 5 Nov 2025
Awarded to Adare SEC Ltd +3 more
Framework period 8 yrsends 30 Nov 2033 · starts 1 Dec 2025

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The Association of North East Councils Trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) is establishing a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of election and electoral registration printing and related services for use by contracting authorities throughout the North East region.

This Framework provides NEPO Member Authorities with access to a wide range of Suppliers capable of delivering specialised election and electoral registration printing and related services.

Suppliers appointed to the Framework are required to deliver services in a reliable, cost-effective and compliant manner, ensuring high standards of safety and quality.

The Framework is open for North East Member Authorities only, enabling them to procure efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of their service users.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Dec 2027, 23:59 GMT.

CPV: Printed matter and related products · Printing and related services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Bids received
4 bids received · 4 suppliers appointed
Framework period
8 yrs from 1 Dec 2025
Scheme runs until
30 Nov 2033
Buyer regions
UKC
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

1% of call-off value · NEPO operates a contract rebate arrangement whereby Suppliers are asked to repay NEPO a set percentage of each invoice in respect of orders placed by any Contracting Authority accessing the Framework. The maximum rebate taken by NEPO against the value of awarded contracts will not exceed 1.0%.

Who may buy through it

The Solution will be available for use by NEPO Member Authorities and any associated organisation only.

NEPO Member Authorities Include:

Darlington Borough Council

Durham County Council

Gateshead Council

Hartlepool Borough Council

Middlesbrough Council

Newcastle City Council

North Tyneside Council

Northumberland County Council

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

South Tyneside Council

Stockton On Tees Borough Council

Sunderland City Council

Published description of the framework

The successful Suppliers will enter into a Framework Agreement (NEPO504 Election and Electoral Registration Print) with NEPO. This Framework will be made accessible to the North East Member Authorities via Call-Off Contracts.

Prices are an inclusive cost for each product detailed in the Pricing Schedule.

The Price will be fixed for the initial period of the Framework. Thereafter, price increases, conducted as price change request, will be considered where the Supplier can demonstrate in a transparent manner that such increases are justified. Price increases will be managed in accordance with the Terms & Conditions detailed in the Framework Terms and Conditions for Goods. Any agreed price changes will remain fixed for a minimum of 12 months.

Any Price variations must be submitted to NEPO by the Supplier before the scheduled deadline, with full supporting evidence to justify the variations. The application must be made in writing and observe the notice period for review and must be submitted in the correct format as determined by NEPO.

Suppliers may also request a Price Variation inline with Royal Mail's published price guidance where the Supplier is able to demonstrate any changes which apply.

Contracting Authorities may establish Call-Off Contracts through either Direct Award or Further Competition. A Direct Award may be used where the Contracting Authority objectively determines that a supplier can fully meet their specific requirements. This is subject to the Contracting Authority's internal procurement and legal guidelines permitting a Direct Award.

All suppliers awarded to the Framework may be invited to participate in Further Competitions. The evaluation criteria for any Further Competition will be specified by the Contracting Authority and included in the competition documentation. Suppliers will be required to submit pricing based on the specific project requirements.

The Framework will be established as an Open Framework under section 49 of the Procurement Act. The second Framework will be awarded before the third anniversary of the commencement date; it is estimated this will be Q2/2028. As such, suppliers which have not been appointed to the first Framework will have the opportunity to be appointed to a subsequent Framework. Following the second Framework, NEPO intends to award further successive Frameworks at least every 3 years until expiry of the Open Framework term, which will not exceed eight years in total (in accordance with section 49(2)(c) of the Act).

NEPO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reopen the Open Framework throughout its term to award a successive Framework in the scheme. NEPO may exercise this right where there is a need to increase capacity in the market or to respond to emerging market conditions or to address additional works requirements or to replace a supplier due to failure/poor performance/material breaches. In each case, a Tender Notice shall be published informing suppliers of the procurement process for the next Framework in the scheme.

Each Framework under the Open Framework will expire on the award of the next Framework in the scheme. However, if a Framework expires while a process for the award of a Call-off Contract is ongoing, a Contracting Authority may continue to process and award the Call-off Contract as though the Framework had not expired.

NEPO reserves the right not to procure or award any successive Framework in the Open Framework scheme

Call-offs published through it1

Notices that name this framework as their framework in the official record. Many call-offs are never published, so this is a floor, not utilisation.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1Awarded 8 yrsPublished value£75,000,000
Contract period: 1 Dec 2025 – 30 Nov 2033 (8 yrs)Value: £75,000,000 exc. VAT · £90,000,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North East

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
Quality: 60%Price: 30%Social value: 10%
Published sub-criteria (3)
  • Quality: 60%
  • Price: 30%
  • Social Value (Quality): 10%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Price
  • Quality
  • Social Value (Quality)
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
  • “Election and Electoral Registration Print” 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
Open framework scheme
Who may use the vehicle
The Solution will be available for use by NEPO Member Authorities and any associated organisation only. NEPO Member Authorities Include: Darlington Borough Council Durham County Council Gateshead Council Hartlepool Borough Council Middlesbrough Council Newcastle City Council North Tyneside Council Northumberland County Council Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council South Tyneside Council Stockton On Tees Borough Council Sunderland City Council · open scheme: new suppliers can join during the term
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Dec 2027
First published
23 May 2025, 13:42 BST
Last source update
28 Jan 2026, 13:49 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 20 Oct 2025
Authority reference
NEPO504
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-037345
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Printed matter and related productsPrinting and related services
Delivery area
North East (UKC)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0522a0 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: OPEN-UK
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free
Appointment period ends
5 Aug 2025, 12:00 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 · NEPO operates a contract rebate arrangement whereby Suppliers are asked to repay NEPO a set percentage of each invoice in respect of orders placed by any Contracting Authority accessing the Framework. The maximum rebate taken by NEPO against the value of awarded contracts will not exceed 1.0%.

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

All submissions must be via Open www.open-uk.org ↗.

Timeline

23 May 2025 → 28 Jan 2026 · 10 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    23 May 2025, 13:42 BST
  2. Market engagement
    10 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST

    NEPO intend to publish a preliminary market engagement questionnaire via 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 the Open e-Tendering system on 23 May 2025 with a submission deadline of 16:00 on 30 May 2025.

    Suppliers wishing to access and complete the questionnaire must first register on the e-Tendering system using the following link www.open-uk.org ↗ For guidance on how to create an account or submit your questionnaire response through Open, please visit www.open-hub.org/training ↗ to access the available Training Guides. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via [email protected]. 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 meeting via Microsoft Teams on 5 June 2025 between 11:00 - 13:00 pm. A presentation will be given and there will be an opportunity to ask questions in the session.

    Suppliers must submit their questionnaire via Open before 16:00 on 30th May 2025.

    Suppliers must confirm their attendance by Monday 2nd June 2025, via email to [email protected], for the meeting on Thursday 5 June 2025.

    Attendance at the Microsoft Teams meeting is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement. Presentations and Q&A from the session will be published as part of the procurement process.

    Attendance also does not constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement.

    Please note the above information may be subject to change.

  3. Tender notice published
    4 Jul 2025, 11:05 BST
  4. Next notice expected
    7 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
  5. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    5 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
  6. Award decision expected by360 days ago
    20 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
  7. Assessment summaries sent344 days ago
    6 Nov 2025
  8. Standstill ends332 days ago
    17 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
  9. Contract starts319 days ago
    1 Dec 2025
  10. Latest notice published261 days ago
    28 Jan 2026, 13:49 GMT

Notice history

10 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    23 May 2025, 13:42 BST
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    4 Jul 2025, 11:05 BST
    UK4
  3. Published value published: £75,000,000
    4 Jul 2025, 11:05 BST
  4. Status changed to active
    4 Jul 2025, 11:05 BST
  5. Procurement method changed
    4 Jul 2025, 11:05 BST
  6. Deadline published: 5 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
    4 Jul 2025, 11:05 BST
  7. Contract award notice published
    6 Nov 2025, 15:05 GMT
    UK6
  8. Status changed to complete
    6 Nov 2025, 15:05 GMT
  9. Contract signature expected
    21 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
  10. Contract details notice published
    28 Jan 2026, 13:49 GMT
    UK7
Routine re-releases (4)
  • 2025-05: 1 release · 23 May 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 41 award · see the list ↓
Bids received 42 from SMEs
Named bidders 4published on the award notice
Contracts signed 1latest 1 Dec 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Adare SEC Ltd, CIVICA ELECTION SERVICES LIMITED, Financial Data Management LtdSME, Print Image Network LtdSME1 Dec 2025 – 30 Nov 2029 · up to 30 Nov 2033Extensions: The Framework will be established as an Open Framework under section 49 of the Procurement Act. The second Framework will be awarded before the third anniversary of the commencement date, it is estimated this will be Q2/2028. As such, suppliers which have not been appointed to the first Framework will have the opportunity to be appointed to a subsequent Framework. Following the second Framework, NEPO intends to award further successive Frameworks at least every 3 years until expiry of the Open Framework term, which will not exceed eight years in total (in accordance with section 49(2)(c) of the Act). NEPO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reopen the Open Framework throughout its term to award a successive Framework in the scheme. NEPO may exercise this right where there is a need to increase capacity in the market or to respond to emerging market conditions or to address additional works requirements or to replace a supplier due to failure/poor performance/material breaches. In each case, a Tender Notice shall be published informing suppliers of the procurement process for the next Framework in the scheme. Each Framework under the Open Framework will expire on the award of the next Framework in the scheme. However, if a Framework expires while a process for the award of a Call-off Contract is ongoing, a Contracting Authority may continue to process and award the Call-off Contract as though the Framework had not expired. NEPO reserves the right not to procure or award any successive Framework in the Open Framework scheme.£75,000,0005 Nov 2025Awarded

Contracts

Bid statistics published by the authority

BidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
4final-stage tenders20—

Who bid

Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

The Association of North East Councils Limited

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: 05014821 · GB-PPON: PYVX-2132-JNMM Northern Design Centre, Gateshead, North East, NE8 3DFContact email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

4 commercial parties on the notice
  • ADARE SEC LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02814431GB-PPON: PVJX-8454-QVHH 133 Scudamore Road, Leicester, East Midlands, LE3 1UQContact email
  • CIVICA ELECTION SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02263092GB-PPON: PPGC-9469-GPCM Southbank Central, London, London, SE1 9LQContact email
  • Financial Data Management LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 2827644GB-PPON: PTJX-7612-MYWM Unit 7 Segro Park, 160 Bidder Street, London, London, E16 4ESContact email
  • Print Image Network LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 4009079GB-PPON: PCHZ-7336-TPDV The Tannery, Water Street, Stockport, North West, SK1 2BPContact email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure