61_25 Supply of Writing Instruments

Framework for the supply of writing instruments for delivery to the ESPO distribution centre and to ESPO customers.

Lot 1 - ESPO smartbuy Writing Instruments Lot 2 - Writing Instrument Ranges

The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 33 months. The total estimated value stated (which is captured in this notice as a Value excluding VAT) includes the option period.

The minimum financial requirement for the purposes of the current tender exercise is stated in the procurement documents. However in summary, Tenderers are required to have positive net assets / shareholder funds.

If a Tenderer fails to pass the financial assessment and is part of a larger group, provided that the group accounts are provided to ESPO on request and these pass the financial test, a parent company guarantee may be acceptable provided the Tenderer is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary within the group.

In addition, ESPO will use a Credit Reference Agency to provide information on Tenderers. Where the Credit Reference Agency assigns the Tenderer a score indicating higher than moderate financial risk, ESPO will give further consideration to the financial information and financial stability of the Tenderer.

If ESPO has any reasonable cause for concern in relation to this information that cannot be reasonably resolved then this could give rise to the tender being rejected.

This contract will contain a contract monitoring clause which will require suppliers to ensure that there is no material detrimental change in their financial standing and/or their credit rating (as determined by use of a Credit Reference Agency). Bi-annual review meetings will be held.

To tender: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '61_25' (via "View Opportunities" from the 'EastMidsTenders' Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen, once an Expression of interest has been completed).