United Kingdom-Newcastle upon Tyne: Furniture

Type of document: Pre-information procedures
Country: United Kingdom
OJEU Ref: (2020/S 217-533938/EN)
Nature of contract: Supply contract
Procedure: Not applicable
Type of bid required: Not applicable

Prior information notice without call for competition
Supplies

This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Official name: Association of North East Councils Ltd trading as NEPO (Central Purchasing Body)
Postal address: Guildhall, Quayside
Town: Newcastle upon Tyne
Postal code: NE1 3AF
Country: United Kingdom
Contact Person: Marie Bartup
Email: marie.bartup@nepo.org
Internet address(es):
Main address: www.nepo.org
Address of the buyer profile: www.nepo.org

The contract is awarded by central purchasing body
Additional information can be obtained from:
the above mentioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement:
II.1.1) Title: Furniture

Reference number: NEPO411
II.1.2) Main CPV code: 39000000
II.1.3) Type of contract: Supplies
II.1.4) Short Description:
The Association of North East Councils Ltd Trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) seeks to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework agreement for the supply of furniture across a variety of public-sector settings throughout the United Kingdom, including but not limited to: office furniture, educational furniture, residential furniture and specialist medical furniture. The future framework agreement will replace the existing NEPO411 Furniture framework which expires 31 August 2021.
II.1.5) Estimated total value:
Value excluding VAT: 24000000.00 Currency: GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots:
The contract is divided into lots: Yes
II.2) Description:
II.2.1) Title: Office Furniture

Lot No:1
II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)
Main CPV code: 39130000
Main CPV code: 39151300
Main CPV code: 39161000

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code: UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
(NEPO) seeks to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework agreement for the supply of furniture across the United Kingdom, the existing framework is split into three lots:
Lot 1: Office Furniture;
Lot 2: Educational Furniture;
Lot 3: Residential Furniture (Social Care).
It is envisaged that the same requirements will be covered in the renewal procurement process. The market consultation events will also explore the inclusion of additional requirements including but not limited to: home working solutions, nursery, library and dining solutions, care home furniture and white goods. NEPO will also explore the inclusion of additional lots:
Lot 4: Specialist medical furniture;
Lot 5: National comprehensive sole-supplier lot.
The purpose of the Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold market consultation meetings with suppliers to help shape the future framework agreement. NEPO are not advertising this PIN as a mechanism to reduce future procurement timescales. The market consultation meetings are advertised openly via this PIN but are limited to a particular number. Market consultation meetings are to take place across the 26 and 27 November 2020. Suppliers wishing to register attendance must do so in writing to Marie Bartup (marie.bartup@nepo.org) by no later than 12 p.m. 20 November 2020.
Due to current national Covid-19 restrictions NEPO understand that not all suppliers may be able to attend on the above scheduled dates. NEPO may schedule further sessions to take place December 2020-January 2021, once restrictions have eased should this be deemed necessary. Any additional dates will be advertised via the NEPO Portal and NEPO website.
NEPO intend to conduct all market consultation sessions virtually through an online meeting platform to ensure the safety of those wishing to attend, taking into account potential social distancing measures, and current government guidance. NEPO anticipates these virtual meeting sessions will take place on Microsoft Teams or another secure meeting platform. The time and platform for the sessions (f) will be confirmed following the registration deadline. Places will be secured on a first come first serve basis. Suppliers wishing to attend the virtual market consultation meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements under any of the applicable lots as a whole. NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place.
Attendance at the market consultation is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement, nor does attendance constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake.
In addition to the market consultation meetings, NEPO intends to publish a soft market testing questionnaire via the NEPO Portal. The questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market consultation meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO411 framework agreement design.
II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.14) Additional information: The estimated value included in this Prior Information Notice is based on current forecast volumes for the future framework agreement. The value may however be subject to change on the basis of design development between the publication of the PIN and contract notice.

II.2.1) Title: Educational Furniture

Lot No:2
II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)
Main CPV code: 39155000
Main CPV code: 39160000
Main CPV code: 39161000
Main CPV code: 39112100
Main CPV code: 39143210

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code: UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
(NEPO) seeks to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework agreement for the supply of furniture across the United Kingdom, the existing framework is split into three lots:
Lot 1: Office Furniture;
Lot 2: Educational Furniture;
Lot 3: Residential Furniture (Social Care).
It is envisaged that the same requirements will be covered in the renewal procurement process. The market consultation events will also explore the inclusion of additional requirements including but not limited to: home working solutions, nursery, library and dining solutions, care home furniture and white goods. NEPO will also explore the inclusion of additional lots:
Lot 4: Specialist medical furniture;
Lot 5: National comprehensive sole-supplier lot.
The purpose of the Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold market consultation meetings with suppliers to help shape the future framework agreement. NEPO are not advertising this PIN as a mechanism to reduce future procurement timescales. The market consultation meetings are advertised openly via this PIN but are limited to a particular number. Market consultation meetings are to take place across the 26 and 27 November 2020. Suppliers wishing to register attendance must do so in writing to Marie Bartup (marie.bartup@nepo.org) by no later than 12 p.m. 20 November 2020.
Due to current national Covid-19 restrictions NEPO understand that not all suppliers may be able to attend on the above scheduled dates. NEPO may schedule further sessions to take place December 2020-January 2021, once restrictions have eased should this be deemed necessary. Any additional dates will be advertised via the NEPO Portal and NEPO website.
NEPO intend to conduct all market consultation sessions virtually through an online meeting platform to ensure the safety of those wishing to attend, taking into account potential social distancing measures, and current government guidance. NEPO anticipates these virtual meeting sessions will take place on Microsoft Teams or another secure meeting platform. The time and platform for the sessions (f) will be confirmed following the registration deadline. Places will be secured on a first come first serve basis. Suppliers wishing to attend the virtual market consultation meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements under any of the applicable lots as a whole. NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place.
Attendance at the market consultation is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement, nor does attendance constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake.
In addition to the market consultation meetings, NEPO intends to publish a soft market testing questionnaire via the NEPO Portal. The questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market consultation meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO411 Framework Agreement design.
II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.14) Additional information: The estimated value included in this Prior Information Notice is based on current forecast volumes for the future Framework Agreement. The value may however be subject to change on the basis of design development between the publication of the PIN and Contract Notice.

II.2.1) Title: Residential Furniture (Social Care)

Lot No:3
II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)
Main CPV code: 39140000
Main CPV code: 39141000

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code: UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
(NEPO) seeks to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework agreement for the supply of furniture across the United Kingdom, the existing framework is split into 3 lots:
Lot 1 – Office Furniture
Lot 2 – Educational Furniture
Lot 3 – Residential Furniture (Social Care)
It is envisaged that the same requirements will be covered in the renewal procurement process. The market consultation events will also explore the inclusion of additional requirements including but not limited to; home working solutions, nursery, library and dining solutions, care home furniture and white goods. NEPO will also explore the inclusion of additional lots:
Lot 4 – Specialist medical furniture
Lot 5 – National comprehensive sole-supplier lot
The purpose of the prior information notice (PIN) is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold market consultation meetings with suppliers to help shape the future Framework Agreement. NEPO are not advertising this PIN as a mechanism to reduce future procurement timescales. The market consultation meetings are advertised openly via this PIN but are limited to a particular number. Market consultation meetings are to take place across the 26th and 27th November 2020. Suppliers wishing to register attendance must do so in writing to Marie Bartup (marie.bartup@nepo.org) by no later than 12 pm 20 November 2020.
Due to current national Covid-19 restrictions NEPO understand that not all suppliers may be able to attend on the above scheduled dates. NEPO may schedule further sessions to take place December 2020 – January 2021, once restrictions have eased should this be deemed necessary. Any additional dates will be advertised via the NEPO Portal and NEPO website.
NEPO intend to conduct all market consultation sessions virtually through an online meeting platform to ensure the safety of those wishing to attend, taking into account potential social distancing measures, and current government guidance. NEPO anticipates these virtual meeting sessions will take place on Microsoft Teams or another secure meeting platform. The time and platform for the sessions f will be confirmed following the registration deadline. Places will be secured on a first come first serve basis. Suppliers wishing to attend the virtual market consultation meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements under any of the applicable lots as a whole. NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place.
Attendance at the market consultation is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement, nor does attendance constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake.
In addition to the market consultation meetings, NEPO intends to publish a soft market testing questionnaire via the NEPO Portal. The questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market consultation meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO411 Framework Agreement design.
II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.14) Additional information: The estimated value included in this Prior Information Notice is based on current forecast volumes for the future Framework Agreement. The value may however be subject to change on the basis of design development between the publication of the PIN and Contract Notice.

II.2.1) Title: Specialist Medical Furniture

Lot No:4
II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)
Main CPV code: 33192000

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code: UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
(NEPO) seeks to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework agreement for the supply of furniture across the United Kingdom, the existing framework is split into 3 lots:
Lot 1 – Office Furniture
Lot 2 – Educational Furniture
Lot 3 – Residential Furniture (Social Care)
It is envisaged that the same requirements will be covered in the renewal procurement process. The market consultation events will also explore the inclusion of additional requirements including but not limited to; home working solutions, nursery, library and dining solutions, care home furniture and white goods. NEPO will also explore the inclusion of additional lots:
Lot 4 – Specialist medical furniture
Lot 5 – National comprehensive sole-supplier lot
The purpose of the prior information notice (PIN) is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold market consultation meetings with suppliers to help shape the future Framework Agreement. NEPO are not advertising this PIN as a mechanism to reduce future procurement timescales. The market consultation meetings are advertised openly via this PIN but are limited to a particular number. Market consultation meetings are to take place across the 26 and 27 November 2020. Suppliers wishing to register attendance must do so in writing to Marie Bartup (marie.bartup@nepo.org) by no later than 12 pm 20 November 2020.
Due to current national Covid-19 restrictions NEPO understand that not all suppliers may be able to attend on the above scheduled dates. NEPO may schedule further sessions to take place December 2020 – January 2021, once restrictions have eased should this be deemed necessary. Any additional dates will be advertised via the NEPO Portal and NEPO website.
NEPO intend to conduct all market consultation sessions virtually through an online meeting platform to ensure the safety of those wishing to attend, taking into account potential social distancing measures, and current government guidance. NEPO anticipates these virtual meeting sessions will take place on Microsoft Teams or another secure meeting platform. The time and platform for the sessions f will be confirmed following the registration deadline. Places will be secured on a first come first serve basis. Suppliers wishing to attend the virtual market consultation meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements under any of the applicable lots as a whole. NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place.
Attendance at the market consultation is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement, nor does attendance constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake.
In addition to the market consultation meetings, NEPO intends to publish a soft market testing questionnaire via the NEPO Portal. The questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market consultation meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO411 Framework Agreement design.
II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.14) Additional information: The estimated value included in this Prior Information Notice is based on current forecast volumes for the future Framework Agreement. The value may however be subject to change on the basis of design development between the publication of the PIN and Contract Notice.

II.2.1) Title: National Comprehensive Sole Supplier

Lot No:5
II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)
Main CPV code: 39000000

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code: UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
(NEPO) seeks to establish a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework agreement for the supply of furniture across the United Kingdom, the existing framework is split into 3 lots:
Lot 1 – Office Furniture
Lot 2 – Educational Furniture
Lot 3 – Residential Furniture (Social Care)
It is envisaged that the same requirements will be covered in the renewal procurement process. The market consultation events will also explore the inclusion of additional requirements including but not limited to; home working solutions, nursery, library and dining solutions, care home furniture and white goods. NEPO will also explore the inclusion of additional lots:
Lot 4 – Specialist medical furniture
Lot 5 – National comprehensive sole-supplier lot
The purpose of the prior information notice (PIN) is to provide advance notice to the marketplace for the future opportunity and the intentions of NEPO to hold market consultation meetings with suppliers to help shape the future Framework Agreement. NEPO are not advertising this PIN as a mechanism to reduce future procurement timescales. The market consultation meetings are advertised openly via this PIN but are limited to a particular number. Market consultation meetings are to take place across the 26 and 27 November 2020. Suppliers wishing to register attendance must do so in writing to Marie Bartup (marie.bartup@nepo.org) by no later than 12 pm 20 November 2020.
Due to current national Covid-19 restrictions NEPO understand that not all suppliers may be able to attend on the above scheduled dates. NEPO may schedule further sessions to take place December 2020 – January 2021, once restrictions have eased should this be deemed necessary. Any additional dates will be advertised via the NEPO Portal and NEPO website.
NEPO intend to conduct all market consultation sessions virtually through an online meeting platform to ensure the safety of those wishing to attend, taking into account potential social distancing measures, and current government guidance. NEPO anticipates these virtual meeting sessions will take place on Microsoft Teams or another secure meeting platform. The time and platform for the sessions f will be confirmed following the registration deadline. Places will be secured on a first come first serve basis. Suppliers wishing to attend the virtual market consultation meetings should be capable of meeting the requirements under any of the applicable lots as a whole. NEPO reserves the right to seek assurances from interested suppliers prior to allocating a place.
Attendance at the market consultation is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement, nor does attendance constitute as an intention to tender for any future related procurement. Please note the above dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake.
In addition to the market consultation meetings, NEPO intends to publish a soft market testing questionnaire via the NEPO Portal. The questionnaire will allow a further opportunity for those suppliers unable to attend the market consultation meetings to contribute towards shaping the future NEPO411 Framework Agreement design.
II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.14) Additional information: The estimated value included in this Prior Information Notice is based on current forecast volumes for the future Framework Agreement. The value may however be subject to change on the basis of design development between the publication of the PIN and Contract Notice.

II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:2021-03-12
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement(GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: yes
IV.2) Administrative information

Section VI: Complementary information
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
VI.3) Additional information:
NEPO is a Central Purchasing Body as defined in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR15). The agreement will be available for use by all NEPO members. A list of member organisations is available in the About section of the NEPO website at: www.nepo.org
This agreement will also be made available to all current and future NEPO associate members. Current associate members are listed in the associate member section of the NEPO website at: www.nepo.org/associate-membership/list
NEPO intends to make the resulting agreement available for use by all contracting authorities throughout all administrative regions of the UK (as defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015) including but not limited to government departments and their agencies, non-departmental public bodies, central government, NHS bodies, local authorities, emergency services, coastguard emergency services, educational establishments, registered social landlords and registered charities who have a need to purchase the above services.
Please see the following websites for further details:

A complete list of permissible users is shown on the NEPO website below:

Organisations wishing to access the NEPO agreement will be required to register as a NEPO Associate Member in the first instance.
Further information can be found at: www.nepo.org

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice:2020-11-03