OPEN Open Managed Service Agreement

The Association of North East Councils, trading as the North East Procurement Organisation ("NEPO"), is seeking to identify a Managed Service Provider ("MSP") for an opportunity that has arisen in response to NEPO's e-procurement system, branded "Open". Open is hosted within the AWS Cloud and built entirely on AWS Microservice Architecture. NEPO is looking to identify an MSP who shall provide both the ongoing operational support and maintenance and the continued development of the Application. The MSP must also have deep technical knowledge and in-depth experience in supporting, maintaining, and developing Applications within the AWS Cloud Infrastructure.

NEPO is in preparation for undertaking a procurement exercise to appoint a single supplier for up to 4 years, commencing 1st March 2023. This will include a short period of transition from the existing Incumbent Partner, before working with NEPO to deliver an ongoing managed service for Open.

Initial background information was provided to determine interest. NEPO subsequently held two repeat virtual events that took place on 5th December 2022 & 8th December 2022. Following the presentation delivery, interested parties requested a 1:1 surgery to discuss the opportunity further and share feedback.

NEPO are intending to undertake the procurement activity, as detailed above, via the Crown Commercial Service, G-Cloud 13 solution. In lieu of an operatable Digital Marketplace and Contract Award Service, NEPO will create an opportunity via its ProContract e-tendering system. This project will be created as a Restricted procedure in which the suppliers who have engaged with NEPO during PPSME will be invited to participate.

The opportunity will be evaluated based on a 60% quality, 40% price ratio to the most economically advantageous tender. The contract will be awarded on the terms and conditions stipulated within the G-Cloud13 solution.