236_27 Matting
AI Summary
ESPO, the trading arm of Leicestershire County Council, is initiating a preliminary market engagement to create a framework for the supply of a diverse range of matting products. The purpose of the engagement is to identify capable suppliers with proven experience in delivering such products to meet the needs of the UK education and wider public‑sector markets. The framework will support the resale of these items and will allow orders to be placed on a demand basis, with deliveries directed first to ESPO’s distribution centre in Leicester and subsequently to its customer base across the United Kingdom.
The anticipated framework will cover three main product segments. Lot 1 will include logo‑printed, classroom, traditional, safety and floor‑protection mats tailored for internal use. Lot 2 will comprise outdoor heavy‑duty, entrance and multi‑purpose mats that must withstand high traffic and weather exposure. Lot 3 will focus on learning mats sold in single‑price lots for classroom or institutional use. While the structure of these lots is subject to adjustment, the core requirement is the consistent supply of high‑quality matting that satisfies the safety, durability and aesthetic expectations of ESPO’s clients.
All procured mats must comply with applicable UK safety standards, ensuring both user protection and long‑term durability.
Description
We are conducting preliminary market engagement with the intention of establishing a framework for the supply of Matting. 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. Logo, Classroom, Traditional, Safety and Floor Protection Mats
Lot 2. Outdoor Heavy Duty, Entrance and Multi-Purpose Mats
Lot 3. Learning Mats (Single Lots)
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 (please refer to the Engagement process description section of this notice for further details).
This is not a call for competition. Tender documentation is not yet available.
Contract location: UK
Engagement process description
The purpose of the Pre-Market Engagement (PME) is to cover a range of topics designed to best explore our requirements in a possible future procurement. These topics may include:
1. Develop ESPO’s requirements and approach to the procurement.
2. Help better identify suitable suppliers in the market and to understand their supply chains.
3. Understand products/service offerings from suppliers and the marketplace in general.
Engagement with suppliers is anticipated to be a mix of methods, including Requests for Information (RFI) hosted on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org), and meetings (both virtual and in-person). Visits to supplier’s premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use.
Suppliers wishing to participate in the engagement process must first express an interest as follows:
(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '236_27' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest.
Suppliers can then access the RFI questionnaire in the ‘Messages’ section via the ‘Activity’ dashboard once an expression of interest has been registered - the deadline for responding to the RFI is 17:00 (5pm) on 03 July 2026. Responses to the RFI as well as any questions or clarifications should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal.
Notwithstanding the above process, as this procurement exercise is a renewal of an existing ESPO framework, ESPO reserves the right to engage with some, all or none of the incumbent suppliers appointed to the existing ESPO framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expressions of interests and/or a RFI exercise.
Lot: 1
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En