Support during COVID-19

This webpage has been developed to explain NEPO's approach during the COVID-19 outbreak. We have also listed some resources offering guidance and support to both procurement professionals and public sector suppliers.

The NEPO team is working remotely and continues to deliver its programme of collaborative procurement and associated activity.
  • We recognise that many businesses are currently unable to participate in competitive tendering therefore have postponed a number of NEPO-led regional procurements, opting to extend existing contractual arrangements where possible and focus primarily on contract management requirements during this period. The NEPO Portal continues to be updated with opportunities across North East local authorities and wider public sector.  
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  •  We are working closely with the twelve North East local authorities to ensure that regional procurement activity adds value to the local government response in these unprecedented times. NEPO is also working with the Local Government Association and with other Public Buying Organisations to ensure a collaborative nationwide approach.  
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  • In addition, NEPO and the North East local authorities are working with relevant stakeholder bodies and contracted suppliers to ensure the public sector supply chain has access to appropriate support and information.  

Procurement Policy Notes (PPN) are issued by central government to help public sector organisations (referred to as contracting authorities) deliver best practice in procurement. The following PPN have been released in relation to COVID-19:

PPN 01/20

Responding to COVID-19 - This PPN recognises that public sector organisations may need to procure goods, services and works with extreme urgency. A range of options is listed including direct awards and extending or modifying contracts.

View PPN

PPN 02/20

Supplier relief due to COVID-19 - This PPN sets out guidance for public bodies on payment of suppliers to ensure service continuity. It states that authorities must act quickly to ensure suppliers at risk can resume normal contract delivery once the outbreak is over.

View PPN

PPN 03/20

This PPN provides guidance on the use of procurement cards as a means of accelerating payments to suppliers to support and improve cashflow.

View PPN

Local authorities’ support for businesses North East local authorities have published information for businesses, many of these webpages include information on arrangements for supplier relief.

List of North East local authority webpages

You can find additional support and information from Local Enterprise Partnerships and central government.

North East LEP

The North East Growth Hub Coronavirus Toolkit provides businesses with the latest advice, guidance and support available from government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

North East Growth Hub Toolkit

Tees Valley

View dedicated business support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority. You can also call the Business Support Helpline on 01642 662 777.

Tees Valley Business Support

Government

For a broad range of information and advice, including business support, visit central government's dedicated webpage.

Latest government advice
Can you help? Are you a supplier able to provide NEPO Member Authorities with key products, services or innovative approaches related to the COVID-19 response? We would love to hear from you. Please use this form to get in touch.
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Latest News

A summary of NEPO's latest news articles relating to COVID-19

26th May 2020

Summary of COVID-19 Business Support Measures – Update

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

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14th May 2020

NEPO Solutions: Extensions due to COVID-19

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.

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4th May 2020

COVID-19: Cabinet Office launches Bounce Back Loan scheme

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

Read more

27th April 2020

LGA and CIPFA publish fraud guidance

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

Read more

22nd April 2020

COVID-19: Cabinet Office launches new 'support finder' tool

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.

Read more

14th April 2020

COVID-19: PPN 03/20 – Use of Procurement Cards

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

Read more

9th April 2020

Summary of COVID-19 Business Support Measures

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

Read more

8th April 2020

COVID-19: PPN 02/20 – Guidance notes for Construction Contracts

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.

Read more

2nd April 2020

COVID-19: Cabinet Office request support from businesses

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

Read more

24th March 2020

COVID-19: Procurement Policy Notes

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

Read more

12th March 2020

​NEPO statement on coronavirus (COVID-19)

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

Read more

Events Calendar

We’ve helped hundreds of suppliers improve their public sector tendering skills through the NEPO Business Club programme of free events. Visit the events calendar to find out about upcoming events.

View Calendar >

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