Managed IT and Cyber Security Service Provider - Pre-Qualification (Stage 1 of 2)

North East Autism Society (NEAS), a North East England charity, is seeking to appoint a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver managed IT and cyber security services across the organisation.

This is Stage 1 of a two-stage process. Suppliers are invited to complete the attached short Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender (ITT), which will allow a longer response period.

Services required include: IT service desk; Microsoft 365 support and backup; cyber security monitoring; endpoint management; Azure support; backup and disaster recovery; vulnerability assessments; managed firewall support; and strategic IT consultancy.

Scope: approximately 1300 users across 54 sites.

Suppliers must have an operational office in the North East of England, current experience supporting charity sector clients, and current experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. Full pass/fail criteria are set out in the PQQ.

Indicative timetable: PQQ deadline [30/10/2026/12pm]; shortlist notified [05/11/2026]; ITT issued [9/11/2026]; ITT deadline [09/12/2026/ 12pm]; contract award [08/01/2027]; contract start [1/04/2027].

Clarification questions must be received by [20/10/2026 12pm].

Completed PQQs should be returned to the email address in the contact details by the closing date and time.

Additional information: North East Autism Society (NEAS), a North East England charity, is seeking to appoint a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver managed IT and cyber security services across the organisation.

This is Stage 1 of a two-stage process. Suppliers are invited to complete the attached short Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender (ITT), which will allow a longer response period.

Services required include: IT service desk; Microsoft 365 support and backup; cyber security monitoring; endpoint management; Azure support; backup and disaster recovery; vulnerability assessments; managed firewall support; and strategic IT consultancy.

Scope: approximately 1300 users across 54 sites.

Suppliers must have an operational office in the North East of England, current experience supporting charity sector clients, and current experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. Full pass/fail criteria are set out in the PQQ.

Indicative timetable: PQQ deadline [30/10/2026/12pm]; shortlist notified [05/11/2026]; ITT issued [9/11/2026]; ITT deadline [09/12/2026/ 12pm]; contract award [08/01/2027]; contract start [1/04/2027].

Clarification questions must be received by [20/10/2026 12pm].

Completed PQQs should be returned to the email address in the contact details by the closing date and time.

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract. Contract summary Industry

- IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 72000000

- Hardware consultancy services - 72100000 - Hardware selection consultancy services - 72110000 - Hardware disaster-recovery consultancy services - 72120000 - Computer-site planning consultancy services - 72130000 - Computer hardware acceptance testing consultancy services - 72140000 - Computer audit consultancy and hardware consultancy services - 72150000 - Software programming and consultancy services - 72200000 - Programming services of packaged software products - 72210000 - Systems and technical consultancy services - 72220000 - Custom software development services - 72230000 - Systems analysis and programming services - 72240000 - System and support services - 72250000 - Disaster recovery services - 72251000 - Computer archiving services - 72252000 - Helpdesk and support services - 72253000 - Software testing - 72254000 - Software-related services - 72260000 - Data services - 72300000 - Internet services - 72400000 - Computer-related services - 72500000 - Computer support and consultancy services - 72600000 - Computer support services - 72610000 - Computer network services - 72700000 - Computer audit and testing services - 72800000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services - 72900000 - Computer back-up services - 72910000 - Computer catalogue conversion services - 72920000 Location of contract North East Value of contract £540,000 to £900,000 Procurement reference NEAS-MSP-2026-01 Published date 13 October 2026 Closing date 30 October 2026 Closing time 12pm Contract start date 1 April 2027 Contract end date 31 March 2030 Contract type Service contract Procedure type Other: Two-stage process: Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to shortlist suppliers, followed by Invitation to Tender (ITT) for shortlisted suppliers only Contract is suitable for SMEs? Yes Contract is suitable for VCSEs? Yes Description North East Autism Society (NEAS), a North East England charity, is seeking to appoint a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver managed IT and cyber security services across the organisation. This is Stage 1 of a two-stage process. Suppliers are invited to complete the attached short Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender (ITT), which will allow a longer response period. Services required include: IT service desk; Microsoft 365 support and backup; cyber security monitoring; endpoint management; Azure support; backup and disaster recovery; vulnerability assessments; managed firewall support; and strategic IT consultancy.

Scope: approximately 1300 users across 54 sites.

Suppliers must have an operational office in the North East of England, current experience supporting charity sector clients, and current experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. Full pass/fail criteria are set out in the PQQ.

Indicative timetable: PQQ deadline