Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
The Association of North East Councils Limited
Northern Design Centre
Gateshead
NE83DF
UK
Contact person: Harry McBeth
E-mail: harry.mcbeth@nepo.org
NUTS: UKC22
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.nepo.org
I.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at:
https://www.nepo.org
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned 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
NEPO528 Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of British Sign Language Interpreters
Reference number: NEPO528
II.1.2) Main CPV code
75200000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The NEPO528 - British Sign Language DPS commenced on 24 May 2021 for a term of 60 months and was due to expire on 24 May 2026.
The original Contract Notice for this DPS was published on 5 March 2021: 2021/S 000-004508.
The purpose of this notice is to extend the period of validity of the DPS for a period of 27 months from 24 May 2026 to 31 August 2028.
The value of the DPS remains unchanged and NEPO do not anticipate that the extension of the validity of the DPS requires variation to the published value.
NEPO528 - British Sign Language has been established as a 'Dynamic Purchasing System' under a flexible approached based on the concept of Regulation 34 via Schedule 3, under the principles set out in Regulation 74-77 ('The Light Touch Regime').
The opportunity can be accessed via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System must register their expression of interest and submit a tender through the Open eTendering System.
Suppliers wishing to access the DPS must first register on the e-Tendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org
For guidance on how to create an account or submit your response through Open, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training to access the available Training Guides.
If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via open.support@nepo.org. PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30.
NEPO does not give any guarantee and/or warrant the actual value of orders (if any) which will be placed with the successful suppliers by any Contracting Authority using the Dynamic Purchasing System pursuant to this process and accepts no liability thereof.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
2 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 4
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - Face to Face and Video Link
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79540000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot incorporates all elements of Lot 2 - Face to Face and Lot 3 - Video Link. Providers must be able to supply against all requirements to be considered:
• British Sign Language (face to face and video link)
• Speech to Text Operator
• Lip speaking (face to face and video link)
Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
31/08/2028
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to future renewals.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Face to Face
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79540000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
An Interpreter is physically present in order to allow parties to communicate via the following methods:
• British Sign Language
• Speech to Text Operator
• Lip speaking
Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
31/08/2028
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to future renewals.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - Video Link
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79540000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
An Interpreter is present via video link to allow parties to communicate via the following methods:
• British Sign Language
• Lip speaking
Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
31/08/2028
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to renewal.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Lot 4 - Specialist Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79540000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
An Interpreter is present to allow parties to communicate via the following methods:
• Deafblind Communication
• International Sign Language
• Deaf Relay Interpreting
Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
31/08/2028
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to renewal.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
31/08/2028
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
NEPO
Northern Design Centre, Abbots Hill, Baltic Business Quarter
Gateshead
NE8 3DF
UK
E-mail: hello@nepo.org
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/03/2026