Managed IT and Cyber Security Services Provider - Pre-Qualification Stage

North East Autism Society (NEAS), a North East England charity, is seeking a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver comprehensive IT and cyber security services across the organisation. This is a two-stage procurement process beginning with a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) deadline of 30 October 2026 at 12pm. Shortlisted suppliers will progress to Stage 2 (Invitation to Tender) with an extended response period and ITT deadline of 9 December 2026 at 12pm. The contract is expected to commence on 1 April 2027. Services required: IT service desk support, Microsoft 365 administration and backup, cyber security monitoring, endpoint management, Azure support, backup and disaster recovery solutions, vulnerability assessments, managed firewall support, and strategic IT consultancy. Scope: Approximately 1,300 users across 54 sites requiring enterprise-level support. Key eligibility requirements: Suppliers must have an operational office in the North East of England, proven current experience supporting charity sector clients, and demonstrated experience supporting organisations with more than 1,000 employees. Full pass/fail criteria are detailed in the PQQ document. Important dates: Clarification questions deadline 20 October 2026 at 12pm; shortlist notification 5 November 2026; ITT issue 9 November 2026; contract award 8 January 2027.