The Association of North East Councils, which trades as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) has awarded a major framework contract for water and wastewater retail services worth an estimated £300 million in total.

Anglian Water Business (National) Ltd has been awarded the framework, which was tendered as a sole supplier framework contract with one Lot.

Contract duration consists of 3 months implementation period, followed by a 2 year supply contract commencing 1 April 2021, with the option to extend for a further 2 years.

Also included within the scope of the Framework Agreement is the provision of automatic meter reading and associated services and systems and provisions for assisting in the reduction of consumption and supporting users’ efficiency schemes.

The framework agreement will be available to all current and future NEPO associate members.

NEPO, which is a Central Purchasing Body, also intends to make the resulting agreement to a wide range of other organisations, including:

• 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