Official UK procurement notice
Provision of music related services to children, young people, and families
Authority: Norfolk County Council (Local council)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionProvision of music related services to children, young people, and families, to whom Norfolk County Council (NCC) has a responsibility.
Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub is a partnership of organisations which come together to provide the best possible music education for the children and young people of Norfolk and Suffolk. Music Hubs are funded by the Department for Education, administered by Arts Council England, to create more opportunities for children and young people to get involved in music making.
The aims of the Music Hub partnership are to:
Support schools to deliver high-quality music education.
Support all children and young people to engage with a range of musical opportunities in and out of school.
Support young people to develop their musical interests further, including in employment.
On 19 November 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness made a written statement [UIN HCWS1071] saying that three proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk had been received - these could entail the creation of one, two or three unitary councils.
The Minister announced a consultation exercise, which ended on 11 January 2026. The Minister stated that "once the consultations have concluded, the Government will assess the proposals against the criteria in the invitation and decide, subject to parliamentary approval, which, if any, proposals are to be implemented, with or without modification". The Government has confirmed that it is minded to create three unitary Councils, subject to parliamentary approval.
On 4 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Local Government made a written statement [UIN HCWS1128] stating that the government intends to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk as soon as possible, and that it is minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections in May 2028.
Should these processes lead to unitary local government in Norfolk and/or to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk (i) the contract may be transferred, assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to the council, or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor and/or to any Mayoral Strategic Authority; and/or (ii) the council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
CPV: Event services · Musical instruments and parts · Security services · Training 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
- Bids received
- 11 bids on the busiest of 3 lots · 19 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 4 yrs · up to 6 yrs from 1 Sept 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 31 Aug 2032
Published description of the framework
This is an Open Framework Agreement and as such it is subject to section 49 of the Procurement Act 2023 with regards to reopening of the Framework, evaluation of bids, and the term of the scheme of Frameworks.
Each time a framework user has a requirement it will either hold a further competition or directly award a contract to one supplier from information supplied in this Invitation to Tender using the following criteria.
Ability and experience to meet the specific requirements and outcomes
Ability to meet the required timescales
Children, young people and family choice
Price (the guide price as stated in Form G)
Location
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lotLot #1InfrastructureAwardedRenewalPublished value£900,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
Lot #2Professional and Delivery ServicesAwardedRenewalPublished value£3,000,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
Lot #3Equipment and Resources Instrument purchase, repair and servicingAwardedRenewalPublished value£12,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
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 | Social value | Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Infrastructure | 90% | 10% | |
| 2 · Professional and Delivery Services | 90% | 10% | |
| 3 · Equipment and Resources Instrument purchase, repair and servicing | 100% | — |
- “Provision of music related services to children, young people, and…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
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
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- 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
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 19 Nov 2025, 16:32 GMT
- Last source update
- 4 Jun 2026, 13:22 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 21 Apr 2026
- Authority reference
NCCT43195- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-012629- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e4c9Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 13 Mar 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 27 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Councils e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗. Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the tenders section and express an interest to view the documentation and access any clarifications. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +44 8442728810 or e-mailing [email protected].
Timeline
19 Nov 2025 → 1 Sept 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published340 days ago19 Nov 2025, 16:32 GMT
- Market engagement277 days ago21 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
The Procurement Act 2023 requires bidders to be registered on Find a Tender (Central Digital Platform) before they are able to bid for contracts. Should you wish to bid for this contract when it is live it is essential that you do this. Instructions on what needs to be done can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch ↗
We are currently seeking expression of interest only at this point. As such no procurement documents are currently available. To express an interest and participate in this procurement once it is live, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗. Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the tenders` section and `express an interest` to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +44 8442728810 or emailing [email protected].
By expressing an interest now, you will automatically be notified when the procurement documents are published. The publication of the tender notice will provide an additional opportunity to express an interest.
Norfolk County Council will hold a supplier engagement session for this proposed procurement via Teams on Wednesday 7 January 2026 , details will be shared via In-tend. Suppliers will be able to feedback on the draft specification of requirements until Wednesday 21 January 2026.
Please note that both Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have approved a devolution deal which is expected to lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. Subject to the government laying a Statutory Instrument and to its approval by Parliament to formally establish the new combined authority, the first Mayoral election is expected to be in May 2026.
Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. .The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
- Next notice expected264 days ago3 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Tender notice published256 days ago11 Feb 2026, 18:04 GMT
- Clarification questions by240 days ago27 Feb 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends226 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown13 Mar 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by187 days ago21 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent145 days ago3 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published143 days ago4 Jun 2026, 13:22 BST
- Standstill ends131 days ago16 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts55 days ago1 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
12 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 19 Nov 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published19 Nov 2025, 16:32 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published2 Dec 2025, 08:37 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published11 Feb 2026, 18:04 GMTUK4
- Published value updated11 Feb 2026, 18:04 GMT
- Status changed to active11 Feb 2026, 18:04 GMT
- Procurement method changed11 Feb 2026, 18:04 GMT
- Deadline published: 13 Mar 2026, 14:00 GMT11 Feb 2026, 18:04 GMT
- Tender notice published13 Feb 2026, 07:42 GMTUK4
- Contract award notice published4 Jun 2026, 13:22 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete4 Jun 2026, 13:22 BST
- Contract signature expected16 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract signature expected22 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (2)
Change to market engagement event date.
Addition of the Pricing Schedule
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-12: 1 release · 2 Dec 2025
- 2025-11: 1 release · 19 Nov 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Infrastructure1 award | |||
| BIG SKY CREATIVE LTD, BRITTEN PEARS ARTS, CITY COLLEGE NORWICH, Charanga LtdSME, MEDICORE AMBULANCE SERVICE UK LIMITED, Norfolk Community Arts Limited +3 more1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2034 | £900,000 | 3 Jun 2026standstill to 16 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 2 · Professional and Delivery Services1 award | |||
| BRITTEN PEARS ARTS, BRITTEN SINFONIA LTD.VCSE, CONDUCTIVE MUSIC C.I.C., GABRIELI, MUSICAL FUTURES LIMITED, Norfolk Community Arts Limited +2 more1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2034 | £3,000,000 | 3 Jun 2026standstill to 16 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 3 · Equipment and Resources Instrument purchase, repair and servicing1 award | |||
| Charanga LtdSME, Haydock Music LtdSME, MUSICAL FUTURES LIMITED, Normans (Burton upon Trent) LimitedSME, SING UP GROUP LIMITED, Warwick Music LimitedSME1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2034 | £12,000 | 3 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Infrastructure | 11final-stage tenders · 12 at stage one | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Professional and Delivery Services | 11final-stage tenders | 11 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Equipment and Resources Instrument purchase, repair and servicing | 6final-stage tenders | 5 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
19 commercial parties on the notice- BIG SKY CREATIVE LTDFramework contractor
- BRITTEN PEARS ARTSFramework contractor
- BRITTEN SINFONIA LTD.Framework contractor
- CHARANGA LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CONDUCTIVE MUSIC C.I.C.Framework contractor
- City College NorwichFramework contractor
- GABRIELIFramework contractor
- HAYDOCK MUSIC LIMITEDFramework contractor
- MAK INTEGRATED SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- MEDICORE AMBULANCE SERVICE UK LIMITEDFramework contractor
Show 9 more suppliers
- MUSICAL FUTURES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- NORFOLK COMMUNITY ARTS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- NORMANS (BURTON UPON TRENT) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENTFramework contractor
- ORCHESTRAS LIVEFramework contractor
- PARADOX MEDICAL SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- SING UP GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ST. JOHN AMBULANCEFramework contractor
- WARWICK MUSIC LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (11)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender