FAQs

NEPO is the lead contracting body that awards the Framework Contracts for all NEPRO solutions. NEPO is a Public Buying Organisation (PBO), that works with UK public sector organisations to develop procurement solutions in high-spend areas such as construction, energy, and fleet.

NEPRO is the overarching brand that encompasses NEPRO3, NEPRO x Innovation, and NEPRO x Financial Resilience. NEPRO is the brand name for the suite of end-to-end solutions.

NEPRO3 is the name of the solution(also referred to as a ‘framework’), wholly owned by NEPO. Bloom Procurement Services Ltd is the name of the organisation currently operating as delivery partner to NEPRO3. Bloom Procurement Services Ltd is delivering NEPRO3 on behalf of NEPO and all participating contracting authorities.

Our NEPRO x Innovation and NEPRO x Financial Resilience solutions are currently at procurement stage. To find out more about them, please contact us.

NEPRO³ has been made accessible for all public sector contracting authorities throughout all administrative regions of the UK.

Eligible organisations include, but are not limited to, Government Departments and their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Central Government, NHS Bodies, Local Authorities, Emergency Services, Coastguard Emergency Services, Educational Establishments, Registered Social Landlords and Registered Charities who have a need to purchase the above services.

A full list of all permissible organisations is available upon request. 

There is no cost for contracting authorities to access NEPRO, or any of NEPO’s solutions. Under NEPRO³ suppliers pay a 5% management fee on the successful completion of projects only. Further information on associated fees for NEPRO x Innovation and NEPRO x Financial Resilience will follow shortly.

Buyers should simply follow the steps to become an Associate Member of NEPO (link). Once complete, the associate membership scheme grants you access to NEPO solutions. NEPO currently have 800+ Associate Members. Please contact us to see if your organisation is already signed up.

Originally launched in 2012, NEPO developed NEPRO with innovation in mind. NEPO conducted thorough soft market testing with key suppliers identified in the specialist professional services category. All engagement exercises focused on the objectives of driving greater value from suppliers, delivering efficiencies from improved turnarounds, and better developed specifications. Through this market testing NEPO identified the following key requirements:

A quick, compliant route to new markets
Risk management
Control and visibility of all expenditure on professional services
Challenging the traditional way of thinking about professional services
Controls to ensure that suppliers deliver
Promote growth within local economies

Having listened to key stakeholders, NEPO went to market in 2012 for a single supplier solution for the procurement of a neutral vendor managed service for specialist professional services (NEPRO). Since then, a second iteration was launched in 2015 (NEPRO2), followed by the current iteration, NEPRO³, which was launched in September 2019.

As the category of professional services became increasingly complex, it was clear from the concerns raised by key stakeholders that a central and nationally accessible solution was needed. Common issues raised to NEPO included:

Inability to accurately monitor spending due to a variety of complex pricing mechanisms
Wasted spend due to poor performance and/or scope creep
Inability to access smaller, more specialist providers due to framework dominance of larger organisations
Over inflated timescales due to complicated and often misunderstood requirements
Poorly designed ‘input’ driven specifications and/or terms and conditions which often meant intellectual properties went unprotected

In the face of continuing financial and demand pressures, it was clear the need to procure specialist professional services would continue to grow. It was anticipated the concerns highlighted above would therefore only increase and the need for a new solution was ever more important. NEPO took these common issues and created the first iteration of the NEPRO specialist professional services solution.

NEPRO3 is the name of the solution (also referred to as a ‘framework’), wholly owned by NEPO. Bloom Procurement Services Ltd is the name of the organisation currently operating as delivery partner to NEPRO3. Bloom Procurement Services Ltd is delivering NEPRO3 on behalf of NEPO and all participating contracting authorities.

Five individual sets of terms and conditions have been developed to govern the relationships involved under NEPRO3:

Framework Agreement (NEPO and Bloom Procurement Services Ltd)
Call-Off Contract (Contracting Authority and Bloom Procurement Services Ltd)
Full Membership or Associate Membership Agreement (NEPO and Contracting Authority)
Service Delivery Agreement between Neutral Vendor and SPS Provider:
Standard SDA
Enhanced SDA


Work Order specific to each and every project (Bloom Procurement Services Ltd and Appointed Supplier)

 The Contracts referenced in (1), (2) and (3) will be provided to you by NEPO.

NEPO have direct control and influence of (1) and (2) and are responsible for managing any requesting amendments or enquiries for relating to (2). However, any amendments made must not materially alter the balance of the original Contract. (4) is agreed between the Delivery Partner and SPS Provider upon completion of the accreditation process, we now have a tiered supplier accreditation for NEPRO3 based upon project value and complexity. (5) is agreed between Bloom, Contracting Authority, and appointed SPS Provider upon completion of the engagement process. As the Work Order (5) is made specific to the requirements and criteria of the project then it is the responsibility of the Contracting Authority, Bloom, and SPS Provider to ensure due consideration has been given to wider legislation which also governs the delivery of that project. Although NEPO would not typically involve themselves in this discussion, we would intervene should we become aware of a dispute between the three parties.

The Contracts referenced in (4) and (5) are private-to-private and have been developed by Bloom Procurement Services Ltd to manage the contractual obligations under NEPRO3. The Work Order (5) is based on each delivered project and signed by Bloom Procurement Services Ltd and the Appointed supplier. The Contracting Authority must provide prior approval to Bloom Procurement Services Ltd that the Work Orders cover all criteria and project provisions. For the avoidance of doubt, this does not constitute a tri-party agreement.

NEPO has revised the Framework and Call-Off Contract(s) to accommodate for IR35 legislative reform changes in 2017 and GDPR legislative changes in 2018. Please contact NEPO directly to ensure you are working from the most recent versions. Bloom Services Limited have also updated their contractual documentation to reflect the changes.

Specialist Professional Services is a recognised strategic category and is commonly understood to be made up of the following four components:

Professional Services
Consultancy Services
Interim Management (not covered by this solution)
Agency & Temporary Recruitment (not covered by this solution)

Consultants provide specialist services over a limited period, or are commissioned to perform a specific, finite or one-off project. Consultants are expected to provide the specialist skills and expertise which are not available within an organisation. Consultants are not normally commissioned to undertake tasks that could be viewed as “business as usual”. They may also provide an independent assessment of functions, situations, and projects.

There are currently three generally recognised models of consultants available:

Multi-disciplined professional services and/or consultancy organisations that offer a wide range of specialisms at strategic, operational, and tactical levels with a global presence in the marketplace;
Small Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) specialising in a particular market sector or field of expertise; and
Stand-alone of sole trader SPS agencies focussing on specialist and technical consultancy and professional advice around a particular field, function or industry

NEPO, as leading contracting body, has established regular contract management processes to monitor compliance and performance throughout the duration of NEPRO3. This includes weekly engagement with the delivery partner, Bloom Procurement Services Ltd, as well as various periodic management information requirements and audit checks.

NEPO and Bloom Procurement Services Ltd also host several annual engagement events throughout the UK in which contracting authorities are invited to share experiences and help shape the contract management principles as part of the NEPRO3 framework.

We are always available to support and provide guidance as and when needed. NEPO also act as a point of escalation in the event of any performance issues or dispute resolution with the delivery partner.

The scope of NEPRO3 only includes Specialist Professional Services and Consultancy Services.

Agency and Temporary Recruitment and Interim Management is considered out of scope. If you’re unclear whether a project falls within the scope of NEPRO3, please first contact Bloom Procurement Services Ltd. NEPO should be consulted for further guidance if still unclear.

NEPRO x Innovation provides access to Goods, Works, Services, Tech and R&D where NEPRO x Financial Resilience provides access to access a suite of financial-based services.

NEPO developed 20 overarching categories and over 380 sub-categories to encompass the full spectrum available for Specialist Professional Services requirements for the NEPRO3 framework. The full list of in scope categories is available upon request.

NEPRO x Innovation is NEPO’s new framework, established under the Procurement Act 2023. It is designed as a neutral vendor managed service to help UK public sector organisations source goods, services, works, technology and research and development in ways that unlock innovation. Its purpose is to streamline access to innovative solutions, support adoption of new technologies, and create wider opportunities for suppliers to engage with public sector contracts. The Framework will launch in Q1 2026.

NEPRO x Financial Resilience is NEPO’s upcoming framework, established under the Procurement Act 2023. It is designed to provide public sector organisations with access to a suite of financial‑based services that strengthen financial resilience. The framework will enable contracting authorities to procure these services in a compliant and efficient manner while also allowing the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate on best practice approaches to managing financial challenges. The Framework will launch in 2026.