22nd June 2022
Information for Suppliers: NEPO's plans for a new e-procurement solution
NEPO is developing a new e-procurement solution called Open, which will be launched in Autumn 2022. Once launched, NEPO will stop using the NEPO Portal system (which sits on the ProContract platform). The twelve North East local authorities* will also move to use Open, in a phased migration over Autumn 2022.
The following information will help suppliers get ready for the change and provides some background to the project.
What is Open?
Open is the new fully integrated e-procurement solution, designed and developed by NEPO and powered by AWS. Open has been designed to optimise the way we do business in the public sector, and has been developed with feedback from buyers and suppliers.
What does this mean for me?
As Open is rolled-out over the coming year (2022), we will no longer publish opportunities on the NEPO Portal/ProContract. Suppliers will need to create an Open account in order to access, respond to, or bid for public sector opportunities – but don’t worry, we will make sure you have everything you need to be ready for the change.
What's next?
We will provide further guidance on the NEPO website and our communication channels on how to register and create your Open account. NEPO will also be in touch with its contracted suppliers to provide support during this transition period. In the meantime, if you would like to know more about Open, we invite you to download the Introduction to Open brochure, visit the Open web page or contact us at open@nepo.org.
*The twelve NEPO Member Authorities include Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council, Gateshead Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Middlesbrough Borough Council, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, Northumberland County Council, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, South Tyneside Council, Stockton Borough Council, Sunderland City Council.