After reviewing proposals from approved companies to be considered for a 12-month contract extension, Rundles has been successfully accepted under the ESPO framework until 31 December 2012.

Rundles has been an ESPO approved service provider since 2009 and this latest agreement will take the partnership into a fourth year. A new procurement exercise to re-let the framework will commence next summer with a view to a new framework commencing on 1 January 2013.

ESPO (Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation) is a joint Committee of Local Authorities and operates within the Local Government.  It acts as a purchasing agent for its member authorities and other customers and provides a professional cost effective procurement and supply service. ESPO takes a strategic role offering best practice relating to the procurement function as a whole.

ESPO is also part of the Pro 5 Membership, which includes five of the largest public sector professional buying organisations in the UK with a combined purchasing power in excess of £2 billion per annum. Central Buying Consortium (CBC), North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), West Mercia Supplies (WMS) and Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) also work alongside ESPO as part of the Pro 5, which opens this framework up to a vast number of Local Authorities.

In this circumstance, bailiff companies accepted under the framework may be chosen to provide services by ESPOs member authorities without going through an expensive and lengthy tender process. Many Councils already employ this route and the option is available for any Local Authority to take advantage of.

Rundles successfully supplies debt recovery services to Guildford and East Riding of Yorkshire councils under this agreement, and will now have the opportunity to expand its client base under this ever-growing option for Local Authorities.

Managing Director Chris Rundle said: “This is a great opportunity for Rundles. The ESPO framework has been growing in its appeal to Local Authorities, particularly in these tougher economic times, and the option makes complete sense for others to utilise. We effectively went through a tender process in order to be accepted under the ESPO framework, which means Councils can avoid taking up its own procurement process. It goes without saying that we adapt our services to meet the specific requirements of each client, as we do successfully for East Riding and Guildford under this framework. We’re delighted to be a part of this agreement and thank the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation for the opportunity.”