199_27 Design and Technology

PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT (PME) NOTIFICATION - This is not a call for competition as THE TENDER DOCUMENTATION IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. However, interest (Expression of interest) can be registered here, and please refer to the UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice for further details on the Engagement process being undertaken (which includes a Request for Information with associated return deadline, see also below) - see https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050071-2026.

PLEASE ACCESS THE MESSAGES SECTION ON THE ACTIVITY DASHBOARD (ONCE AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST HAS BEEN COMPLETED) FOR ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS FOR THIS PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) DOCUMENTATION AND ASSOCIATED RESPONSE DEADLINE - the deadline for responding to the RFI questionnaire is 17:00 (5pm) on 12 June 2026. Note: For any questions or clarifications relating to this PME and RFI, these MUST be received via the Messaging facility on this eProcurement Portal only (as also stated below).

We are conducting preliminary market engagement with the intention of establishing a framework for the supply of Design & Technology (D&T) materials and equipment for use in schools. The products covered by this proposed Framework will be purchased for re-sale, and orders will be placed according to demand. Delivery shall be to ESPO’s distribution centre in Leicester, and for delivery directly to ESPO’s customers throughout the UK.

The Framework is envisaged to include the following Lots (subject to change):

Lot 1. Construction Kits, Modelling Kits and Educational Sets, Coding and Robotics Educational Sets, Badge Making Equipment, D&T Components, Electronics Equipment and Components, Tools, Accessories and Furniture
Lot 2. Construction Kits, Modelling Kits and Educational Sets, D&T Components, Glue Guns and Glue Sticks, Spray Paints

The above Lot structure is for information only and some details may be amended within the invitation to tender.

This Pre Market Engagement aims to identify capable suppliers in the market with track record in delivering goods within this product category. We are requesting information from relevant organisations to help us define our requirements.

The duration of the framework agreement is expected to be for 15 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 33 months.

The total estimated value stated includes the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Note: the initial Expression of interest window (for this PME) will close at the end of the Engagement period, and will only reopen once Tender documents are available for publication, as planned to follow on from the PME (additionally, Expressions of interest only need to be completed once per applicable contact/Workgroup e.g., please do not attempt to recomplete at a later date where already registered - see the first page of the attached guide as an example of Expressions of interest being registered when logged into your account on ProContract - and instead once completed please check or access your ‘Activities’ in this eProcurement Portal, or otherwise contact Proactis Supplier Support for any other system related help).

For any questions relating to the operation of the Portal itself, ProContract, these should be submitted to Proactis, and the following links (URL's) can be used for this for supplier support and system technical queries: https://www.proactis.com/uk/customers/supplier-support/ or via https://suppliersupport.proactisservicedesk.com/. OTHERWISE, ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO THIS PME SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO ESPO by accessing the Messages section on the Activity dashboard screen once an Expression of interest has been registered.