constellia | Procurement, empowered
nepro innovation
Recently added to the NEPRO portfolio, NEPRO innovation is a future-focused solution, designed by NEPO experts to help the public sector deliver complex innovation projects with confidence.
Shaped by NEPO procurement specialists, NEPRO Innovation is designed to support complex, multidisciplinary projects that require cross-category expertise and adaptable commercial approaches.
categories
NEPRO Innovation, delivered by Constellia, provides a single, flexible solution for procuring over goods, services, works, technology, research & development.
See full list of categories below.
how it works
Constellia acts as the conduit and thin prime contractor between NEPRO Innovation users and pre-vetted suppliers. The solution provides a fast, compliant route to procure goods, works, services, technology and research and development.
how to access as a buyer
- Contracting authorities can contact Constellia or NEPO to discuss NEPRO Innovation and how to become a NEPO Associate Member
- Simply review and sign the Associate Membership form, and Constellia will arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements, including your required level of support and services levels
- Constellia will then issue a Call-off and Finance form for you to sign and manage the implementation process, which aligns with your required service level
- Constellia will then provide the level of support you require to achieve your desired outcomes
buyer benefits
compliance
Outcome-driven
multidisciplinary support
PUBLIC SECTOR FOCUS
FUTURE FOCUSED
PROCUREMENT EXPERTISE
ONE-STOP-SHOP
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
sme ACCESS
service levels
silver
Foundational: You have established your project’s scope, specification and providers. The procurement process is conducted through the Constellia platform, with assurance and support from our team. There are no complex contractual terms, so you to focus on your project.
gold
Support & Guidance: You have got the specification for your project, but it needs a trained procurement eye to review it. Your account manager will drive the procurement process through the Constellia platform, providing additional support at key points.
platinum
End-to-End Procurement Support: Constellia are involved from day 1, helping you develop and write your specification. Constellia can provide market research, market engagement, and support moderating proposals. Once a provider is selected, we provide contract delivery assurance.
Become a supplier
To access our growing community of 250+ public sector customers, contact us on the details below today.
securing business
speed
simplicity
Easy-to-use TechNology platform
public sector opportunities
quick access
simplified onboarding
sme friendly
streamlined procurement process
How to Get Started
Registering on our marketplace is a simple process…
Step 1
Contact us via suppliers@constellia.com or call on 0330 320 8020 to get started.
Step 2
Submit your supplier information.
Step 3
Sign and return your supplier agreement.
Step 4
Set your categories.
Contact us to join the marketplace and get started today.
What is NEPRO Innovation?
A single, flexible and fully compliant route to market for goods, works, services, technology and research & development. The newest addition to the NEPRO portfolio, delivered by Constellia.
Is the Framework National?
Yes, it is available for any public sector organisation to use across the UK.
Who can access NEPRO Innovation?
Any UK public sector organisation via free NEPO Associate Membership — including central government, local authorities, NHS, schools, emergency services, housing associations and more.
What types of projects can be procured?
Designed to address complex challenges, this solution provides an agile route to market that cuts across traditional category boundaries. With access to goods, services, works, technology, and research and development across 400+ subcategories, NEPRO Innovation is ideal for organisations seeking to explore new ways of delivering outcomes.
How is NEPRO Innovation different from other solutions?
NEPRO Innovation is designed for early‑stage or complex requirements where outcomes may need to be shaped iteratively. It provides flexibility within a compliant framework environment and offers additional support through adaptable commercial models.
Is NEPRO Innovation compliant with public procurement regulations?
Yes. NEPRO Innovation has been procured using a competitive flexible procedure with negotiation under the Procurement Act 2023.
Do I need to run a competition?
In most cases, buyers will undertake a mini-competition process through the framework. However, where justification is provided, direct award is also available.
Where can I find guidance and templates?
If you’d like to hear more about NEPRO Innovation, you can contact one of our experts at nepro@nepo.org or nepro-innovation-support@constellia.com.
How can I become a NEPO Associate member?
Join NEPO as an associate member by accessing the link here.
Does it cost suppliers to join the marketplace?
It’s free to join and tender, and suppliers can onboard with us at any time.
Do you contact referees as soon as a case study is submitted? If one referee and case study is submitted across multiple categories, do you contact the referee once?
Reference requests are sent at 9:00am daily. Your referees will also receive reminders from the system via email on day one, three and five. If your referee has not responded, we recommend submitting the case study again with an alternative referee or contacting your referee in advance.
Do we have to provide two case studies per sub-category?
Two case studies per category only are required. Once your case studies have been approved, you can select which two case studies you want to use for the accreditation. Your accreditation is category specific.
How does your search engine work for clients looking for services and solutions?
Only Constellia’s Supplier Relationship Management, Operational Procurement, and Strategic Sourcing teams can search the Marketplace on behalf of buyers, using filters and keyword searches. To maximise your visibility, keep your supplier profile accurate and regularly check that this is up to date, as searches can filter by:
- Tagged capabilities (spend categories/subcategories)
- Overview of your organisation
- Keywords in your ‘Company Information’ section
- Supplier size
- UK region
- Accreditations (e.g. NEPRO Innovation)
To edit your profile:
- Log in → click your logo icon (top right) → Account → Profile.
- Click ‘View possible capabilities’ to tag relevant spend categories, and use ‘Highlight your experience’ to describe your expertise in your own words, this appears on your profile’s front page. Use ‘Preview profile’ to see how buyers view your listing and contact the SRM team anytime for profile feedback.
How would you choose from hundreds of suppliers if the buyer wanted three companies?
As a neutral vendor, it is essential that we remain completely impartial throughout the procurement process. At Constellia, our Procurement Team work closely with each client to define clear, objective selection criteria based on the specific requirement. This ensures that any shortlist is both relevant and of the highest quality. We consider a range of factors, including the complexity and value of the requirement, timelines and urgency, geographic considerations (such as the need for local providers), and any sector-specific expertise. Using our supplier data and market knowledge, we assess suppliers against these agreed criteria by reviewing capability, experience, performance history, compliance, and value for money. This robust and unbiased process enables us to confidently identify the most suitable suppliers. Where a client requests a limited shortlist (for example, three suppliers), we ensure the final selection remains competitive, balanced, and aligned to the client’s objective ensuring we provide the best possible options without unnecessary volume, while maintaining full neutrality.
Is it a flat service level fee percentage or does it vary?
The service level fee varies depending on the value and complexity of the project, the procurement route and the level of support required from Constellia. Fees typically range from 1% to 4.4%. Higher-value projects usually attract a lower percentage fee, and direct awards are generally lower than mini competitions. Transactional support, such as Service Level 1, will usually have a lower fee, while full end-to-end procurement support, such as Service Level 3, is up to 4.4%. A full breakdown of the service level fees is available in the Supplier Guide, which can be downloaded from the resources section of our website.
Is there a timeframe for suppliers to sign up or can they do so at any point during the framework agreement?
Suppliers can join the Constellia marketplace at any time. Once you have completed the standard onboarding process, we recommend creating as many case studies as you can, this will enable you to become accredited against the relevant categories.
Can contracting authorities direct award to a suppler via the NEPRO Innovation framework?
Yes, contracting authorities can direct award under the framework.
Can case studies be based on confidential clients? Most of our clients require NDAs and approvals of case studies unless they are provided confidentially.
If there is a specific case study for a project in mind, please contact the team via nepro-innovation-support@constellia.com to discuss further and advise of the best options.
What feedback will vendors receive if unsuccessful to help improve offering?
We have standard templates that we use to collect and share feedback from clients. Dependent on the feedback shared by the client, we would pass this onto the suppliers.
Is NEPRO Innovation available to contracting authorities in Northern Ireland?
Yes, it is available to all across the UK.
How is this framework being pushed out to public-sector buyers to encourage them to use it instead of using their normal procurement route?
The framework is promoted through ongoing buyer engagement, including direct discussions where it may be relevant to a buyer’s requirements. Constellia’s active sales team supports public-sector buyers to understand the procurement options available to them on a project-by-project basis. NEPRO Innovation is presented as one compliant route to consider where it aligns with the buyer’s objectives, rather than as a substitute for their usual procurement routes.
If we are already onboarded with Constellia, do we need to do anything additional to sign up to this framework?
NEPRO Innovation Accreditation guidance is to be followed of which the relevant documentation is provided to you once you onboard.
Do we need to do the work to find opportunities via a portal, or do Constellia invite us to bid?
Constellia will invite you to participate in projects.
Presumably you need to have Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus?
Depending on the project requirements Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus may be required.
Does the buyer or the supplier pay the fee?
The management fee is supplier-absorbed, with pre-agreed fee levels being notified prior to each procurement.
Is the supplier agreement for this innovation framework different to your standard supplier agreement that we have already signed?
We have a new supplier agreement, ‘Supplier Marketplace Terms and Conditions’ which was released on 23rd June 2026. This covered new legislation following PA23 and incorporates the NEPRO Innovation framework. We can issue a copy of the agreement via Docusign as it is a requirement for NEPRO Innovation accreditation.
From a supplier perspective, what is the difference between working via NEPRO Three and NEPRO Innovation, which are running concurrently?
NEPRO Three and NEPRO Innovation are different procurement solutions with different purposes that both fall within the wider NEPRO portfolio. From a supplier perspective, the main difference is the type of requirement each route is intended to support. NEPRO Three remains available for suitable professional services requirements under its own scope and processes. NEPRO Innovation is designed to support projects across goods, services, works, technology and R&D. If you wish to understand more about either solution, please contact nepro@nepo.org.
Are all the requirements SOW based?
All procurements through NEPRO Innovation are delivered via a Statement of Work (SoW) model. The framework is outcome-focused, with each requirement defined and contracted through a project-based SoW that specifies the required outcomes, deliverables, timescales, governance and commercial arrangements.
