News & Events

We are finalists in the National Social Value Awards 2022!

Join this free NEPO Business Club event and learn how to successfully compete for public sector opportunities.

This online event will help you find and win opportunities with the public sector.

Business Durham have invited local businesses to attend their upcoming DBOP Routes to Contract Success: Meet the Buyer Event on Thursday 7 April.

NEPO’s three-year strategy includes ambitious plans to ensure that the millions spent through public procurement creates value within the local economy, positively impacting our communities and the environment. 

We're excited to announce that our face-to-face events are making a comeback for the March - July NEPO Business Club programme.

It’s a new chapter for NEPO as we unveil our refreshed look and feel.

NEPO has contributed to an independent review to establish a new ‘Gold Standard’ in public sector construction frameworks.

The Cabinet Office is holding two online events to provide contracting authorities, suppliers and other interested parties with further information on plans for how public procurement will be transformed.

Latest update on the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper  consultation process and outcomes

This procurement policy note sets out how payment approaches can be taken into account in the procurement of major government contracts.

NEPO have supported Sunderland City Council in buying the North East region’s first electric Refuse Collection Vehicle (eRCV).

Taking place at Middlesbrough Football Club. Hosted by The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) NE.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of our friend and  colleague Lynn Atkinson. 

In recognition of the ongoing building materials shortage, Construction Alliance North East (CAN) are holding a free event to provide an overview of the current issues, as well as solutions on working collaboratively as a region.

Sunderland City Council has used NEPO211 Civil Engineering & Infrastructure to appoint VolkerStevin to deliver a £31m smart bridge. 

NEPO has invited suppliers to participate in market consultation activity, to help shape a new procurement solution for the supply of library books, multi-media materials and digital content including eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines and eNewspapers.

NEPO has summarised the procurement activity planned for the period July to December 2021.

NEPO has developed a nationally-available electricity framework agreement that supports the government’s net zero ambitions by providing access to low-carbon energy

Fiona Surrey, owner of Fiona Surrey Marketing, explains how her participation in NEPO Business Club gave her the practical skills and knowledge to start bidding for work with the public sector.

The NEPO Business Club programme for May to August 2021 has been launched. Note: NEPO events are very popular, please book early to avoid disappointment.

Esh Construction has launched a programme of free employability and skills training to help North East jobseekers gain entry into the construction industry.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance to help schools recruit temporary staff to support with their on-site testing programmes.

NEPO will be on hand to meet delegates at the online Local Government Procurement Expo (LGPE), taking place Wednesday 10 March 2021.

Oxygen Finance, sole supplier to NEPO521 Early Payment Service, have launched their first Almanac, a Third Party Spend review of 2019/2020

The National Social Value Conference 2021 will be held virtually on the 23 and 24 February 2021.

Following the publication of the Green Paper: Transforming public procurement, Cabinet Office is holding a series of free workshops for suppliers to explore the contents.

NEPO has developed a 6-month pipeline to help suppliers plan for upcoming competitive opportunities during the period January - June 2021.

NEPO has launched its NEPO Business Club programme for January to April.

NEPO418 Library Books and eBooks provides libraries across the UK with a range of fiction and non-fiction books, eBooks, DVDs and Blu Rays.

NEPO has summarised the procurement activity that will be undertaken on behalf of North East local authorities during the period January - June 2021.

Find a Tender Service will replace the UK public sector’s usage of TED for publishing tenders and subsequent contract award notices above public procurement thresholds.

As part of NEPO Business Club, NEPO is hosting the first in a series of free interactive events designed to support business recovery and to rebuild better.

DIT’s Export Academy gives small and micro-sized businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world with confidence.

NEPO has invited suppliers to participate in market consultation activity, to help shape a new procurement solution for the UK public sector' furniture requirements.

Embleton Hall Dairies, supplier to NEPO416 Milk & Dairy Products, have introduced milk pouches to help NEPO members reduce plastic waste.

NEPO has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the renewal of NEPO202 Managed Remarketing of Vehicles & Plant.

NEPO has appointed Oxygen Finance to deliver NEPO521 Early Payment Service.

Darlington Borough Council has invited local businesses to join them at 2020 Darlington Business Week, for a series of free virtual events focussed on supporting business growth.

Following a compliant procurement process, NEPO has appointed Click Travel to deliver its travel management solution.

Darlington Borough Council has issued a pre-tender questionnaire for a solution covering the provision of day opportunities for working age adults and older people.

NEPO has launched its NEPO Business Club programme for September to December 2020.

NEPO has invited suppliers to participate in market consultation activity, to help shape a new procurement solution for election and electoral registration printing requirements.

NEPO has issued an invitation to tender for the renewal of NEPO502 Office Supplies.

NEPO, working with The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL), has issued an ITT for heavy goods and specialist vehicles.

NEPO is attending Procurex National 2020, the UK's leading public sector procurement event, on 9 September.

NEPO has launched a nationally-available solution for UK public sector organisations to access translation and interpreting services.

The Supplier Development Programme Scotland (SDP Scotland), in partnership with Scottish Government, have invited businesses to attend their upcoming Meet the Buyer North 2020: Live Virtual Event on 2 September 2020.

Sunderland City Council, on behalf of NEPO, has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for a new solution covering the provision of civil engineering and infrastructure works. 

NEPO608 is used by the twelve North East local authorities to fulfil statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 and Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.

NEPO has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for NEPO605 Children's Complaints, Advocacy and Representations.

NEPO has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for a new solution covering the provision of energy performance of buildings inspections.

Hosted by NEPO and Bloom Procurement Services. Takes place Thursday 13 August 2020 (14.00 – 15.00)

NEPO has won the 2020 National GO Award for Supplier Relationship Management.

NEPO has summarised the procurement activity that will be undertaken on behalf of North East local authorities during the period July to December 2020.

Portakabin have been appointed to NEPO and TPPL’s solution for Building Materials, and are able to assist with public sector requirements to expand physical capacity in support of social distancing guidance.

NEPO has launched a monthly newsletter promoting the range of tendering opportunities published by the twelve North East local authorities and NEPO.

On 29 June 2020, the Prime Minister announced over £1 billion funding to support the first 50 projects of a transformative ten-year rebuilding programme, starting in 2020/21.

NEPO has launched a North East Social Value group to build a community of stakeholders interested in social value and public sector procurement in the North East.

NEPO is delighted to have been shortlisted across four categories in the National GO Awards 2020

NEPO has invited suppliers to participate in market consultation activity, to help shape a new procurement solution for the acquisition of HGVs and specialist vehicles.

NEPO has issued a Selection Questionnaire for a new solution covering the provision of water retail services.

NEPO has launched a solution for the supply of rock salt to help public sector organisations meet their winter maintenance services responsibilities.

The summary of support measures available to businesses in relation to COVID-19 has been updated to reflect new guidance.

RTC North is delivering a webinar on Friday 19 June for North East organisations who are either involved in the manufacture of PPE, or considering switching focus to support the current campaign.

NEPO has developed a guide to help public sector organisations understand how prepaid cards can support their service users, suppliers and staff during challenging times.

NEPO has launched a nationally available solution for public sector organisations to access early payment services.

NEPO has launched a solution for tyre replacement and repair services available for use by public sector organisations across the UK.

Gateshead Council DPS reference DN480307

The summary of support measures available to businesses in relation to COVID-19 has been updated to reflect new guidance.

Due to COVID-19, NEPO has extended a number of solutions for up to 12 months to help business continuity and reduce pressure on the supply chain.

The NEPO Business Club has moved online to support North East businesses planning for the recovery phase of COVID-19.

The Cabinet Office has launched a Bounce Back Loan scheme to help small and medium-sized businesses affected by coronavirus.

NEPO and The Procurement Partnership Ltd (TPPL) have extended their successful partnership for a further five years, until 2025.

LGA and CIPFA publish guidance to protect the local government sector supply chain from fraud.

The Cabinet Office has launched a new ‘support finder’ tool which aims to help businesses and self-employed people identify various financial support available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cabinet Office has issued guidance on the use of procurement cards as a means of accelerating payments to suppliers to support and improve cashflow.

NEPO has summarised the range of support available to businesses in relation to COVID-19.

The Cabinet Office has issued additional guidance to supplement Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 02/20 Supplier Relief due to COVID-19. The guidance relates to for construction contracts.

The Cabinet Office has issued a request for businesses to provide support in response to COVID-19.

The Cabinet Office has issued two Procurement Policy Notes (PPN) in relation to COVID-19.

The collaborative insurance solutions developed by NEPO, YPO and ESPO have won the Initiative of the Year Award at the National Insurance Awards 2020.

NEPO has issued a statement regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

CANCELLED: Invest South Tyneside is offering sub-contractors the chance to engage with IQA Elecnor Group regarding the installation of fibre to over 100k premises in Newcastle and the North East.

NEPO and the twelve North East local authorities have published a new policy detailing a collaborative approach to maximising the value of every pound spent.

Delivered in partnership with TPPL, NEPO219 Building Materials is available for use by public sector organisations across the UK.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) is seeking to appoint up to three digital agencies.

NEPO has commenced the procurement process for a new solution covering the supply of diesel, gasoil, kerosene, petrol and adblue.

In this case study Tony Cartledge, Company Director at HT Media explains how his participation in NEPO's supplier development programme delivered positive results for his Gateshead-based SME.

Delivered as part of NEPO Business Club, Garry Stone from B2B:North provides an introduction to social value in procurement.

NEPO have been crowned winners of the Project Award for Embedding Social Value in Procurement at the National Social Value Awards 2020.

NEPO is holding free one to one Navigating the Portal Sessions for suppliers in Newcastle on 4th February

NEPO is pleased to announce that The People's Kitchen are our nominated charity for 2020.