Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Works
Framework Description
NEPO211 Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Works is NEPO's framework for civil engineering projects for public bodies, organised into 11 lots by value band and geography, from works up to £1m in the Tees Valley to national projects above £10m and a national marine lot. It is a standard framework, not a DPS, running to 2 March 2029 with an option to extend to 2 March 2031.
Context & Use Case
Councils, combined authorities and other public bodies use NEPO211 for infrastructure such as highways schemes, bridges, flood and drainage works, and coastal or harbour projects through the marine lot. Smaller local schemes go to the regional lots under £1m, while major programmes can use the higher value or national lots, including a single-supplier lot for projects above £10m.
Scope of Services
Lots 1 and 2: up to £1m, Tees Valley; and Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham Lots 3 to 6: North East, from £1m to over £10m Lots 7 to 9: National, from up to £5m to over £10m Lot 10: Over £10m, National, single supplier Lot 11: Marine, National
Lots
Lot 1: Up to £1,000,000 - Tees Valley; Lot 2: Up to £1,000,000 - Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham; Lot 3: £1,000,001 - £3,000,000 - North East; Lot 4: £3,000,001 - £5,000,000 - North East; Lot 5: £5,000,001 - £10,000,000 - North East; Lot 6: Over £10,000,000 - North East; Lot 7: Up to £5,000,000 - National; Lot 8: £5,000,001 - £10,000,000 - National; Lot 9: Over £10,000,000 - National; Lot 10: Over £10,000,000 - National - Single Supplier; Lot 11: Marine - National
Who Can Apply
Suits civil engineering contractors of every size, from regional firms bidding in the under-£1m lots to national contractors and marine specialists. Applications for NEPO211 are closed, so contractors not already appointed cannot join until it is re-tendered, likely around March 2029 or, if extended, March 2031.
Buyer Benefits
Value-banded lots let buyers match the scheme to contractors of the right size, keeping small jobs with local firms and major works with contractors that have the balance sheet. National lots open the framework to buyers outside the North East, and the single-supplier lot gives a quick route for large, complex schemes.
Next Steps
Appointed contractors should prepare for further competitions with up-to-date case studies, carbon data and social value offers for the region. Others should plan for the re-tender: identify the value band and geography you would target, build evidence of comparable schemes, and look for subcontract packages with appointed contractors in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
For appointed contractors, Athena's call-off tender support brings win themes, scoring against rival contractors and pricing models to each NEPO211 call-off, whatever the lot.
For contractors outside the framework, our construction framework mapping maps the civils frameworks open now or due to open across the North East and nationally, so you are not waiting until 2029. When NEPO re-tenders, our public works bid support helps you choose the right value band and submit a compliant bid with credible social value commitments.
