The Association of North East Councils trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) is conducting market engagement for NEPO234, a proposed Asbestos Management framework valued at £150 million including VAT. The framework will cover asbestos surveying, analytical services and asbestos removal works across domestic and non-domestic public sector settings throughout the UK.
This is market engagement, not a live tender. NEPO expects to publish the Soft Market Testing questionnaire on 3 July 2026, host a supplier engagement event on 9 July 2026 and request responses by 24 July 2026. Contact Thornton & Lowe if you would like support assessing the opportunity and shaping a useful engagement response.
Scope and Lot Structure
The proposed framework is multi-supplier and multi-lot, with 12 lots covering surveying and analytical services and removal works across both domestic and non-domestic properties. The lots are split across:
- Northumberland and Tyne & Wear
- Durham and Tees Valley
- National coverage
The notice states that the £150 million value is predominantly associated with the national lots, with regional lots making up approximately 20% of the total value. That regional structure is intended to support SME participation and local delivery.
Who Should Pay Attention
The framework is relevant to asbestos surveying organisations, analytical service providers, licensed asbestos removal contractors and suppliers with combined asbestos management capability. It will be available to NEPO member authorities, current and future associate members, and potentially contracting authorities across all UK administrative regions, subject to NEPO's access arrangements.
Bidding and Engagement Considerations
- Choose your lots carefully. Surveying, analysis and removal work require different evidence, accreditations, delivery controls and resources.
- Show public sector experience. Councils, schools, housing, healthcare and other public buildings often involve live environments, resident or user communication, access planning and strict compliance requirements.
- Evidence regional delivery. The regional lots have a clear SME and local delivery purpose. Demonstrate the teams, depots, response times and subcontractor controls that support your chosen geography.
- Prepare for national lots separately. The national lots carry most of the estimated value and will need evidence of scale, resilience and multi-client contract management.
- Use the engagement event. The Teams session gives suppliers a chance to understand NEPO's proposed approach and provide practical feedback before the formal tender is released.
Quick Facts
- Buyer: The Association of North East Councils trading as NEPO
- Estimated value: £150,000,000 including VAT
- Expected term: 25 January 2027 to 24 January 2031
- Stage: Preliminary market engagement
- Lots: 12 proposed lots covering surveying, analytical services and removal
- Scope: Domestic and non-domestic asbestos management across regional and national lots
Key Dates
- SMT questionnaire expected: 3 July 2026
- Supplier engagement event: 9 July 2026
- Engagement deadline: 24 July 2026
- Estimated tender notice date: 26 August 2026
- Notice: Find a Tender - 059879-2026
NEPO234 is a high-value framework opportunity for well-prepared asbestos contractors and consultants. Get in touch with Thornton & Lowe for a focused assessment of your position, or read our asbestos tenders support page for specific context on specialist surveying, removal and compliance frameworks.
