Bloom Procurement Services is the exclusive delivery partner for the NEPRO³ framework (Neutral Vendor Procurement Solution), a procurement solution developed by NEPO (the North East Procurement Organisation). NEPRO³ is designed to help public sector organisations procure specialist professional services quickly, compliantly, and cost-effectively. Through this partnership, Bloom manages the end-to-end procurement process on behalf of NEPO, providing access to a dynamic supplier marketplace and ensuring that public sector buyers benefit from flexibility, transparency and value for money. This collaborative model supports innovation and efficient service delivery across a wide range of public sector needs.
In this blog post, we sit down with Steven Sinclair of NEPO to explore the impact of NEPRO³, the goals of the framework, and how the partnership with Bloom is driving smarter public procurement.
I have dedicated my career to private and public procurement, working across financial services, manufacturing and regional development. In 2011, I became the Professional Services Category Lead at NEPO and grew with the company over the past decade before becoming the Procurement & Commercial Director.
NEPO is a public buying organisation that has been active since 1976. We aim to improve efficiencies through collaboration, innovation, and strongly emphasising local initiatives. NEPO is committed to transparency in using taxpayer funds and wants to ensure that every taxpayer pound delivers value to the communities we serve.
We are governed by the 12 local authorities in the North East, and we foster strong partnerships with various organisations, including the NHS, housing associations and central government bodies. NEPO also recognises the vital role of local suppliers and SMEs in creating collaborative opportunities across the country.
The procurement industry is encountering resource challenges, and we are actively addressing that demand. Through the development of the NEPRO³ framework, we can promote effective procurement, moving beyond simply engaging consultants and instead placing emphasis on the value curve. We can encourage strategic conversations among experts to create a shared vision for success. These types of conversations allow us to bolster community ties and empower collaborations that help us achieve shared goals.
Engaging specialists like Bloom can be highly beneficial when approached correctly. From the outset, the Bloom team focuses on desired outcomes, using benchmarking data to define what success looks like.
There’s also a growing emphasis on pre-engagement, as organisations are recognising the significant value this stage offers. By getting involved early, Bloom can unlock greater potential and drive better results.
As a result, we've seen more Contracting Authorities turning to our NEPRO³ framework as a trusted solution.
As we aim to achieve cost savings, we've recognised the importance of defining success up front. A highly effective solution for temporary agency services was achieved by consolidating requirements with a single vendor. Previously, working with multiple agencies resulted in inconsistencies and unfavourable terms for local authorities. By partnering with a single organisation, we can streamline our efforts more effectively in response to the noticeable inconsistencies across the region and further afield. This partnership allows us to create a more equitable environment for SMEs, which provide specialised, tailored solutions and increasingly champion social value.
Our NEPRO³ framework has demonstrated tremendous effectiveness in supporting SMEs, with 79% of projects awarded to SMEs in 2024. The outcomes-based model has successfully delivered value for money in the public sector, with savings exceeding £54 million against budget on projects since September 2019.
We’re proud that the DfE have endorsed NEPRO³ as the preferred route for procuring professional services. Consequently, NEPRO³ has enabled schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts to access a comprehensive managed service for projects that include leadership development, structural engineering, design, and property management.
NEPRO³ has empowered Contracting Authorities, witnessing outstanding project delivery across the public sector, including:
Procurement is becoming increasingly complex, with several factors to consider for effective practice, including:
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider. Some aspects are merely obligations, yet they come with recognised benefits. The NEPRO³ framework effectively tackles these challenges by prioritising excellence. We recognise that successful initiatives don’t happen in isolation - it's essential to understand the full context and create real value.
NEPO showcases the diversity of our local government, bringing together the voices of 12 authorities who have passionately responded to the green paper to ensure procurement sparks innovation and brings about positive change, something that, with the increased reliance on frameworks, acts as a haven in these evolving and complex landscapes.
There’s room to enhance engagement and improve the feedback circle, but I’m confident that by working together, we will overcome these challenges and cultivate a thriving environment.
NEPRO³ is all about setting clear goals and outcomes so that organisations engage on an equal footing. It particularly enables SMEs to showcase their strengths and ensures accountability in delivery.
NEPO takes contract management with Bloom seriously, aligning closely with its values and the context in which it operates. It avoids a "set it and forget it" mentality, where the next interaction occurs during the next procurement cycle.
We offer honest advice and explore various market approaches, with our NEPRO³ framework being one of them.
The Act may increase the administrative burden that already impacts procurement teams. With 13 new notices, numerous publications for every tender may lead to suppliers overlooking essential details, with too much noise for people to sift through. The public sector could complicate interactions further, introducing new methods and notices that are difficult to navigate.
In contrast, the private sector offers more lucrative opportunities, so our goal is to encourage increased competition and innovation within the public sector. Through NEPO, Bloom is well-positioned to drive this innovation.
Our approach aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the new Act, as we have consistently operated in this manner and will continue to advocate strongly for it.
The mission-led government approach takes inspiration from local and national governments in the UK and abroad, setting specific missions and structuring themselves to achieve those goals. Unlike targets, missions address long-term, complex issues. This approach emphasises what the government aims to accomplish as a result rather than the methods employed.
For example, Camden Council has established four missions, one of which is: “By 2030, every young person has access to economic opportunities that enable them to be safe and secure.” This mission-led approach closely aligns with the outcomes-based model, which has demonstrated success in our NEPRO³ framework by focusing on timely results.
PA23 represents a shift from rigid procurement processes to prioritising flexibility and responsiveness. NEPRO³ and the Neutral Vendor Model support the outcomes-based procurement emphasised in the Procurement Act.
Ultimately, both the Procurement Act and NEPO’s core values support a more flexible, mission-driven approach – one that prioritises meaningful, long-term outcomes over rigid processes. By aligning with this vision, NEPRO³ continues to deliver real impact where it matters most.
Find out more about the NEPRO³ framework here or if you have a project in mind that Bloom can help you with get in touch with us.