The framework will cover a range of activities, including resurfacing and reconstructing roads, footways, and car parks, as well as applying thin surfacing and anti-skid coatings. It will also address major incident responses, pothole repairs, patching, reinstatements, and the construction of footway vehicle crossovers. Contractors may be tasked with supporting winter maintenance during severe weather events.
Managed by the Association of North East Councils, based at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead, the framework will operate under call-off arrangements, with its total value contingent on uptake by participating authorities. NEPO estimates the framework’s value at £600 million, including VAT, but has not specified details on lots, regions, or the number of suppliers to be appointed.
To gather input, NEPO released a market questionnaire on the Open e-Tendering platform, with responses due by May 2. Suppliers interested in joining an online engagement session on May 6 must submit a completed questionnaire by the deadline. NEPO clarified: “Participation in the session is not mandatory and will not confer an advantage in the future procurement.” The feedback collected will inform the framework’s structure and design.
The full tendering process is scheduled to begin in late June, paving the way for the framework’s implementation. This initiative aims to enhance the region’s infrastructure by ensuring efficient and reliable maintenance services for public sector clients, supporting safe and accessible transportation networks.
