Official UK procurement notice
NEPO303 Meter Operator Services
Authority: The Association of North East Councils Limited (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe NEPO303 Meter Operator Services Framework will ensure the continuity of a critical service as the current agreement approaches the end of its extended term. The Framework shall support the requirements of NEPO's Member and Associate Authorities for electricity metering and associated data services under prevailing industry settlement arrangements.
- Not divided into lots: The integrated nature of MOP, DC and DA services requires a coordinated approach to data collection, management and reporting. Dividing the requirement into multiple lots could increase operational complexity, create interface risks between providers, and reduce the efficiencies associated with a single managed service.
CPV: Electricity meters · Energy meters · Public utilities
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
- Places
- up to 1 suppliers
- Framework period
4 yrs · up to 6 yrs from 1 Apr 2028, The Framework Agreement is anticipated to exceed 48 months in duration, with a 24 month extension resulting in a maximum term of 72 months. This is due to the commercial and contractual complexity of the Framework Agreement combined with the high level of data and communications required for Electricity Meters, particularly at the point of mobilisation and onboarding.
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
2.50% of call-off value · NEPO operates a contract rebate arrangement whereby Suppliers are asked to repay NEPO a set percentage of each invoice in respect of orders placed by NEPO or any Contracting Authority accessing the Framework Agreement. The maximum rebate taken by NEPO against the value of awarded contracts will not exceed 2.5%.
Who may buy through it
NEPO is a Centralised Procurement Authority as defined in the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), providing central purchasing activity on behalf of Contracting Authorities.
The agreement will be available to NEPO Member Authorities and all current and future Associate Members. Current Associate Members are listed in the Associate Member section of the NEPO website at: www.nepo.org/associate-membership ↗
NEPO intends to make the agreement available for use by all Contracting Authorities throughout all administrative regions of the UK (as defined by the Procurement Act 2023).
A list of permissible users available at: www.nepo.org/associate-membership… ↗
Organisations wishing to access the NEPO agreement will be required to register as a NEPO Associate Member in the first instance. Further information can be found at: www.nepo.org ↗
Further information regarding Contracting Authorities that may use the agreement can be found in the tender Documents.
Published description of the framework
The successful supplier will enter into a framework agreement (NEPO303 Meter Operator Services) with NEPO. The Framework will be accessible to NEPO Member Authorities and Associate Members through call-off contracts entered into in accordance with the framework agreement. NEPO will establish the overarching contractual terms and conditions governing use of the Framework.
Pricing will be determined through the tender process and evaluated in accordance with the published award criteria and associated weightings set out in the Invitation to Tender.
Pricing will be fixed from the point of the Framework commencement for a minimum period of 12 months until 31st March 2029. Thereafter an annual price increase will be considered where the supplier can demonstrate in a transparent manner that such increases are justified.
The pricing schedule is structured by meter type and service category, with separate pricing for HH and NHH meters to reflect differing service requirements.
Tendered rates will apply nationally to all Framework users, ensuring consistency, transparency, and cost certainty across Contracting Authorities.
The Framework is a sole - supplier arrangement and will be accessed exclusively via Direct Award. Call-off contracts may be awarded at any point during the Framework term, with Contracting Authorities accessing the services on the pre-agreed terms, conditions, and pricing established through the Tender process.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£15,000,000
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must be authorised and complaint to undertake metering activities in accordance with the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP), and be authorised by the local Distribution Network Operators (DNO).
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- Quality: 32%
- ESG: 8%
- Price: 60%
Published award criteria (3)
- Price
- Quality
- ESG
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must be authorised and complaint to undertake metering activities in accordance with the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP), and be authorised by the local Distribution Network Operators (DNO).
- Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
- “NEPO303 Meter Operator Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 1 suppliers, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- NEPO is a Centralised Procurement Authority as defined in the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), providing central purchasing activity on behalf of Contracting Authorities. The agreement will be available to NEPO Member Authorities and all current and future Associate Members. Current Associate Members are listed in the Associate Member section of the NEPO website at: https://www.nepo.org/associate-membership NEPO intends to make the agreement available for use by all Contracting Authorities throughout all administrative regions of the UK (as defined by the Procurement Act 2023). A list of permissible users available at: http://www.nepo.org/associate-membership/permissible-users Organisations wishing to access the NEPO agreement will be required to register as a NEPO Associate Member in the first instance. Further information can be found at: www.nepo.org Further information regarding Contracting Authorities that may use the agreement can be found in the tender Documents.
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 29 May 2026, 09:06 BST
- Last source update
- 18 Sept 2026, 15:11 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 25 Feb 2027
- Authority reference
NEPO303- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-088785- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a84fFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 23 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 16 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 2.50% of call-off value · NEPO operates a contract rebate arrangement whereby Suppliers are asked to repay NEPO a set percentage of each invoice in respect of orders placed by NEPO or any Contracting Authority accessing the Framework Agreement. The maximum rebate taken by NEPO against the value of awarded contracts will not exceed 2.5%.
NEPO intends to publish an Invitation to Tender via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Framework must register their expression of interest and submit a tender through the Open eTendering system at open-uk.org ↗
Tenders must be submitted via the link above. Submissions via email or post will not be accepted.
Guidance for how to create an account, search for opportunities and respond is included within the Suppliers Hub. If you require further support please email open.support@nepo.org
Timeline
29 May 2026 → 1 Apr 2028 · 8 dates- Planning notice published150 days ago29 May 2026, 09:06 BST
- Market engagement136 days ago12 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
NEPO seeks to procure a framework agreement for Meter Operator Services. The purpose of this notice is to provide prior information to the market on the intentions of NEPO to procure such a framework agreement. This notice also provides an open invite to market consultation meetings.
NEPO intends to hold market consultation meetings with suppliers prior to this procurement project. The market consultation meetings are advertised openly using this notice.
A Market Consultation Questionnaire will be made accessible via the Open eTendering system on 29 May 2026, with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. on 12 June 2026.
Suppliers wishing to access and complete the Market Consultation Questionnaire must first register on the eTendering system using the following link: www.open-uk.org ↗
Within the questionnaire, suppliers will be given the opportunity to register for a market consultation meeting via an Eventbrite link.
Market consultation meetings are limited in number and will take place during June and July 2026 . Appointments will be no longer than one hour, and NEPO intends to conduct these sessions virtually through online meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams or other secure meeting platforms.
Attendance at market consultation is optional and does not provide suppliers with an advantage in any future related procurement.
Attendance also does not constitute an intention to tender. Dates may be subject to change depending on availability and supplier uptake.
Please note the above information may be subject to change.
- Next notice expected39 days ago17 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published38 days ago18 Sept 2026, 15:11 BST
- Clarification questions by10 days ago16 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends3 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown23 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 121 days25 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts1 Apr 2028, 00:00 BST
Notice history
6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 29 May 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published29 May 2026, 09:06 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published18 Sept 2026, 15:11 BSTUK4
- Published value published: £15,000,00018 Sept 2026, 15:11 BST
- Status changed to active18 Sept 2026, 15:11 BST
- Procurement method changed18 Sept 2026, 15:11 BST
- Deadline published: 23 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST18 Sept 2026, 15:11 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender