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3S_26 Strategic HR and Recruitment Services

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO

This public procurement record has 8 releases in its history.

Award

16 Jul 2026 at 17:16

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

11 Jun 2026 at 07:07

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

10 Jun 2026 at 04:53

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

18 Nov 2025 at 11:13

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

14 Oct 2025 at 14:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

13 Oct 2025 at 15:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

23 May 2025 at 13:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 Apr 2025 at 14:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, has procured a UK-wide strategic HR and recruitment services framework for public-sector customers. It covers executive and managerial interim and permanent recruitment; temporary and permanent general recruitment; assessment and testing; outplacement and career transition; HR business process outsourcing; and future workforce services. The outsourcing scope includes recruitment process outsourcing, applicant management, onboarding, HR administration, payroll, employment screening, HR consultancy and statements of work. Future workforce services include workforce planning, recruit-train-deploy models, professional coaching and career skills development. The framework is available to eligible public bodies across the UK, including local authorities, education, central government, emergency services, NHS and social care bodies, charities and registered social landlords.

The open procedure has reached award and contract signature. Eight lots were awarded on 2 June 2026 to panels of multiple suppliers, with contracts signed on 23 June 2026. The framework runs from 7 July 2026 to 6 July 2028, with an option to extend by up to 24 months; Lot 5's maximum extent date is 7 July 2030 and the other lots' maximum extent date is 6 July 2030. The overall framework value is £350,000,000 gross, with the same overall value recorded against each lot; ESPO gives no value guarantee for any individual lot. All lots were evaluated on price at 40% and non-price quality at 60%, with economic and technical conditions of participation. Call-offs may be made directly or through further competition, with or without reopening competition.

This procurement demonstrates substantial, recurring public-sector demand for recruitment, workforce and wider HR capability across the UK. Relevant competitors include specialist recruitment agencies, executive search firms, temporary and permanent staffing providers, healthcare and public-sector recruiters, assessment organisations, outplacement and career-transition specialists, HR outsourcers, payroll and screening providers, workforce-planning consultancies, coaching businesses and recruit-train-deploy operators. Credibility for a future competition would require demonstrable technical and economic capacity, quality-assured delivery, suitable specialist talent pools, reliable candidate and workforce management, and experience serving public-sector or similarly complex customers. Suppliers should be able to support the particular service area sought, provide evidence such as case studies and pricing information, and compete on both price and non-price quality. Small and medium-sized enterprises were considered suitable for most or all lots.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

3S_26 Strategic HR and Recruitment Services

Notice Description

ESPO framework that offers a range of strategic HR services relevant in the public sector, including; executive and managerial interim recruitment, executive and managerial permanent recruitment, multi role temporary recruitment, multi role permanent recruitment, assessment & testing services, outplacement & career transition services, professional coaching, HR business process outsourcing and 'Recruit - Train - Deploy models'. The Framework is divided into 8 lots (with lots 1, 2, 7 and 8 also being sub-divided into further sub-lots): Lot 1. Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment * 1a. Admin, HR & Business Support * 1b. Blue Light & Emergency Services * 1c. Commercial (Finance, Procurement and Legal) * 1d. Education * 1e. Health & Social Care * 1f. IT, Digital, Media & Marketing Lot 2. Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment * 2a. Admin, HR & Business Support * 2b. Blue Light & Emergency Services * 2c. Commercial (Finance, Procurement and Legal) * 2d. Education * 2e. Health & Social Care * 2f. IT, Digital, Media & Marketing Lot 3. Temporary Recruitment (sub PS45k) Lot 4. Permanent Recruitment (sub PS45k) Lot 5. Assessment and Testing Services Lot 6. Outplacement and Career Transition Services Lot 7. HR Business Process Outsourcing * 7a. Recruitment Process Outsourcing * 7b. Applicant Management * 7c. Onboarding * 7d. HR Administration * 7e. Payroll Management * 7f. Employment screening and background checks * 7g. HR Consultancy * 7h. Statement of Works Lot 8. Future workforce * 8a. Workforce Planning and Demand Management * 8b. Recruit - Train - Deploy (RTD) * 8c. Professional and Career Coaching Services * 8d. Professional and Career Skills development For any additional details please also refer to https://www.espo.org/strategic-hr-and-recruitment-services-3s-26.html

Lot Information

Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment

Lot 1. Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment The main aim of this Lot is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of senior, managerial and experienced Workers on a temporary basis, to help deliver business or service delivery continuity to a function affected by either temporary or permanent job vacancies, or the emergence of a strategic project, as an alternative to using a consultant. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment

Lot 2. Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment The main aim of this Lot is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of senior, managerial and experienced level staff on a permanent basis, as an alternative to using an interim or consultant under the scope of Lot 1. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Temporary Recruitment (PS45k)

Lot 3. Temporary Recruitment (PS45k) The main aim of this Lot is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of generalist staff on a temporary basis across a number of types of role. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Permanent Recruitment (PS45k)

Lot 4. Permanent Recruitment (PS45k) The main aim of this Lot is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of generalist staff on a permanent basis across a number of types of roles. For further details, please refer to the tender documents.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Assessment and Testing Services

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Outplacement and Career Transition Services

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

HR Business Process Outsourcing

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Future Workforce

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full or in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework). Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Planning Information

Suppliers are required to register and complete the relevant stages on the Central Digital Platform if they wish to participate in or bid for this framework. Tender Submission deadlines cannot be extended to allow for late supplier registrations to the CDP. Tenderers should be aware that CDP registration could be a prolonged process. How to register on the CDP can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html. The Request for Information (RFI) documents are available on the EastMidsTenders Procurement Portal and the submission deadline is 2nd May 2025 at 12.00pm (noon). Suppliers wishing to participate must first register interest for 3S_26 on the Portal (further details on expressing your interest are captured below). The RFI is captured within a Public Message on the Portal and suppliers are expected to follow the instructions for completing the RFI as per this Public Message and as detailed within the RFI itself. Suppliers are being engaged with to determine: • If there have been any changes or developments within the market • Feedback on ESPO's proposed procurement methodology • Any potential risks within the market etc. • Feedback on our proposed procurement strategy Following on from the RFI exercise, 1-2-1 preliminary market engagement sessions will only take place with those suppliers that have provided responses to questions that ESPO consider require additional information or clarification to further inform the procurement process. It is anticipated that Suppliers taking part in the preliminary market engagement will not be put at an unfair advantage when bidding for this framework. For the avoidance of doubt those not participating in the engagement piece will still be able to tender for the framework and it will not mean they are excluded from tendering. A record of the information shared and received as part of the preliminary market engagement will be kept ensuring that the information gathered is considered in the procurement. An anonymised summary of the information/outcomes will also be shared with other parties and used to help ensure that participating suppliers are not unfairly advantaged. For the purposes of this Preliminary market engagement (PME), please express your interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '3S_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation (please note that deadline for the completion of the RFI has now passed). In the case of any questions or clarifications relating to this PME, these should also be submitted to ESPO as a Message on the eProcurement Portal (again once an Expression of interest has been completed).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0505ab
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067451-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

79610000 - Placement services of personnel

79630000 - Personnel services except placement and supply services

79632000 - Personnel-training services

79633000 - Staff development services

79634000 - Career guidance services

79635000 - Assessment centre services for recruitment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£350,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£350,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£641,666,667 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
£291,666,667 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
28 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
20 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
2 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
7 Jul 2026 - 6 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE19 1ES
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Blaby
Electoral Ward
Enderby
Westminster Constituency
South Leicestershire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
187
Supplier Names

1ST EXECUTIVE LIMITED (04642279)

4M RECRUITMENT LIMITED (13923982)

ACCEPT RECRUITMENT LTD (09426027)

ACCESS COMPUTER CONSULTING PLC (03239279)

ADECCO UK LIMITED (00593232)

ADOR RESOURCING LTD (11479211)

ADVISERPLUS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LIMITED (04222727)

AESN LIMITED (12248325)

AIK MANAGEMENT LTD (14830551)

ALLEN LANE LIMITED (05115229)

ALPINE RESOURCING LIMITED (04934592)

AMBERJACK GLOBAL LIMITED (03907607)

AMBIENT PEOPLE LIMITED (14426358)

AMJ RECRUITMENT GROUP LTD (13484664)

AMTIS PROFESSIONAL LTD (13940563)

ANDERSON QUIGLEY LIMITED (10653948)

ANDERSON REED LIMITED (15654365) - t/a Breakthrough Nexus

ARGUILE SEARCH LIMITED (08052089)

ASPEN PEOPLE LIMITED (SC413050)

ATTENTI CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED (06954218)

AXIS RECRUITMENT LIMITED (04827750)

BAE SYSTEMS STRATEGIC AEROSPACE SERVICES LIMITED (13206216)

BALTIMORE CONSULTING LIMITED (08387222)

BECS UK LIMITED (06176819) - t/a Austin Dean Recruitment

BLUE ARROW LTD (00641659)

BLUSOURCE FINANCE LIMITED (06818804)

BROSTER BUCHANAN LTD (09500200)

BURMAN RECRUITMENT LIMITED (11517281)

BUTLER ROSE RECRUITMENT LIMITED (08968041)

BUTLER ROSS LIMITED (07083570)

CAMHS PROFESSIONALS LIMITED (10318717)

CAMPBELL TICKELL LIMITED (04713939)

CAPITA BUSINESS SERVICES LTD (02299747)

CARE4HEALTH LIMITED (03230858)

CARITAS RECRUITMENT LTD (06728939)

CASTLE PEAK GROUP LTD (15390321)

CATHEDRAL APPOINTMENTS LIMITED (03619552)

CEDAR RECRUITMENT LIMITED (04665436)

CERTES IT SERVICE SOLUTIONS LIMITED (01697294)

CHANGE-IT PUBLIC SECTOR LIMITED (10323289)

CHASE TALENT SOLUTIONS LTD (10744993)

CLARITY OUTSOURCING GROUP LIMITED (03369051) - Previously HIREGENICS LIMITED

CLICK EMS LIMITED (12785486)

COHESION RECRUITMENT LIMITED (06714038)

COMENSURA LIMITED (04085767)

COMMERCIAL SERVICES KENT LIMITED (05858177)

COMMERCIAL SERVICES TRADING LTD (05858178)

COMMUNITY RESOURCING LIMITED (04123649) - t/a Resourcing Group

COMXPS LTD (08189147)

CONEXIA LIMITED (03949686)

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PLUS LIMITED (03880628) - t/a CMP

CONNECT EXEC LIMITED (11385765)

CORUS CONSULTANCY LTD (07344223)

COUNTY HR SOLUTIONS LIMITED (07105314)

COVENT GARDEN RECRUITMENT LIMITED (12916491)

DANLUKER LIMITED (05194839) - t/a Supply Care Solutions

DATA CAREERS LIMITED (04622603)

DIRECT MEDICS LTD (NI039068)

DIVERSE REC LIMITED (08603076)

DOVETAIL AND SLATE LIMITED (11351060)

EALOOR CONSULTANCY (UK) LTD (07907012) - t/a NursingjobsUK

EDEN BROWN LIMITED (03643845)

ELIGO SECURITY LIMITED (07920420)

ENDEAVOUR RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED (08345034)

EPIC HR LTD (11164774)

ES SOLUTIONS GROUP LTD (14483562) - t/a Equitas Staffing

EVEREST RECRUITMENT AND SERVICES LTD (12983360)

EVISA SOLUTIONS LIMITED (04671940) - t/a Malikshaw

EVOLUTION RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS LTD (03990096)

EXPERIS LIMITED (02114287)

EXPRESS RECRUITMENT LIMITED (01916049)

FAERFIELD LIMITED (11941797)

FOX MORRIS GROUP LTD (13730790)

FRONTIER CONSULTING LIMITED (13678774)

GATENBYSANDERSON LIMITED (04451141)

GI GROUP RECRUITMENT LTD (01949160)

GREEN PARK INTERIM & EXECUTIVE LIMITED (05672094)

HAMMOND CLARKE LIMITED (06291815)

HAMPTON'S RESOURCING LIMITED (08439682)

HARPER RECRUITMENT LIMITED (05922784)

HARVEY NASH LIMITED (02202476) - a Nash Squared Limited Company

HAYS SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT LIMITED (00975677)

HEADS RESOURCING GROUP LIMITED (07055777)

HEALTH SECTOR TALENT LIMITED (333685 Ireland) t/a Healthdaq

HOLISTIC RECRUITERS LIMITED (08346893)

HR RECRUITIFY GROUP LTD (15757808)

IMC LOCUMS LIMITED (10037208)

IMMEDIATE MEDICAL SOLUTIONS LTD (09158639)

IMPERIUM RESOURCING LIMITED (10988680)

INNECTO PEOPLE CONSULTING LIMITED (04741738)

INSIGHT EXECUTIVE GROUP LIMITED (09284301)

INVESTIGO LIMITED (04803377)

IVY ROCK PARTNERS LTD (12159333)

JBAF LIMITED (14013108)

JIGSAW BUSINESS GROUP LIMITED (07833003)

JORECRUITMENT LIMITED (04003423)

KATE + CO LIMITED (05757014)

KEYSTREAM GROUP LIMITED (07406242)

L.A. INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER CONSULTANTS LIMITED (01633646)

LAW MORGAN LIMITED (07182544)

LEADERS IN CARE RECRUITMENT LIMITED (10977964)

LEE HECHT HARRISON PENNA LIMITED (01776110) - t/a LHH (Penna)

LINEA PARTNERS LIMITED (07134895)

LIONESS RECRUITMENT LIMITED (12065321)

LIQUID PERSONNEL LIMITED (06155616)

LORIEN RESOURCING LIMITED (01333388)

M THREE CORPORATE CONSULTING LIMITED (07441388)

MACILDOWIE ASSOCIATES LIMITED (03358898)

MAGNIT GLOBAL UK LIMITED (05537535)

MATRIX SCM LIMITED (02227962)

MCGREGOR BOYALL ASSOCIATES LIMITED (02095237)

MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT LIMITED (04130921)

MLC PARTNERS LIMITED (09366814)

MOORE GREEN RECRUITMENT LTD (12505503)

MORGAN HUNT UK LIMITED (04349535)

MORGAN JONES LIMITED (04381807)

MORSON HUMAN RESOURCES LIMITED (02714555)

NEO: PEOPLE MANAGEMENT LIMITED (07951864)

NIYAA PEOPLE LIMITED (06442091)

OCEAN EDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LTD. (04069321)

OMNI RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED (03278470)

OPTASHIFT LIMITED (14657285)

OPUS ENTERPRISES LIMITED (15582382) - t/a Real Recruitment

OPUS PEOPLE SOLUTIONS GROUP LIMITED (09041980)

ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH LIMITED (02928914)

OSBORNE THOMAS LIMITED (07592132)

OSCAR UNDERHILL RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED (14706113)

P4 RECRUITMENT LTD (15192216)

PENNA PLC (01918150)

PEOPLE SOLUTIONS RESOURCING LIMITED (02396772)

PEOPLESCOUT LIMITED a TMP (HOLDINGS) LIMITED Company (05648042)

PERTEMPS RECRUITMENT PARTNERSHIP LIMITED (01644241)

PIERS MEADOWS RECRUITMENT LIMITED (04760233)

PRECISION RESOURCE GROUP LIMITED (09573050)

PROFESSIONAL PIT STOP LTD (15361548)

PROMAN SUPPLY CHAIN LTD (03443013)

PROPELO LIMITED (10248209)

RANDSTAD SOLUTIONS LIMITED (02389033)

RAYNET RECRUITMENT AGENCY LTD (08044128)

RED SNAPPER RECRUITMENT LIMITED (05129360)

REED SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT LIMITED (06903140)

RESOURCE SOLUTIONS WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT LIMITED (03542052)

RIG LOCUMS LIMITED (07741134) - t/a CPL UK Healthcare

RIGHT MANAGEMENT LIMITED (01479160)

ROBERT WALTERS OPERATIONS LIMITED (03621607)

RUSSAM GMS LTD (01865337)

SANCTUARY PERSONNEL LIMITED (05972910)

SANDERSON GOVERNMENT AND DEFENCE LIMITED (04546820)

SATIGO LTD (07456787)

SAXTON BAMPFYLDE HEVER LIMITED (02018211)

SEARCH CONSULTANCY LIMITED (SC105640)

SELLICK PARTNERSHIP LIMITED (04156002)

SERVICE CARE SOLUTIONS LTD (05381795)

SEYMOUR JOHN PUBLIC SERVICES (MIDLANDS) LIMITED (10283467)

SEYMOUR JOHN PUBLIC SERVICES (NORTH) LIMITED (12052666)

SMARTSOURCING LIMITED (04359421)

SOLACE IN BUSINESS LTD (03150254)

SOPRA STERIA LIMITED (04077975)

SPARTA GLOBAL LIMITED (05597367)

SPENCER CLARKE GROUP LIMITED (10784592)

SPINWELL GLOBAL LIMITED (07527825)

STAFFVETTING.COM LIMITED (06045519)

STARFISH SEARCH LIMITED (11528899)

STEN 10 LIMITED (05586132)

SUMMIT COMPUTER RECRUITMENT LIMITED (03880344) - t/a itecopeople

SYFT ONLINE LIMITED (09372516) - t/a Indeed Flex

TASKMASTER RESOURCES LIMITED (03289148)

TATE RECRUITMENT LIMITED (14455039)

TEMPEST RESOURCING LIMITED (07724980)

THE CORNHILL GROUP SERVICES LTD (11561310)

THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED (07244880)

THE SMART WORKING REVOLUTION LIMITED (10901736)

THE TALENT SET LIMITED (11362268)

THORN BAKER LIMITED (02470455)

TILE HILL INTERIM & EXECUTIVE LIMITED (10484468)

TRIPOD PARTNERS LIMITED (08230012)

TRIUMPH CONSULTANTS LIMITED (03937577)

TURNER FOX RECRUITMENT LTD (06527175)

The Soma Academy (N/A Sole Trader)

VANTIS WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LTD (14900240) - Previously SOCIAL WORK SPECIALISTS LTD

VENESKY-BROWN RECRUITMENT LTD (SC279944)

VENN GROUP LIMITED (04015584)

VIEWPOINT PSYCHOLOGY LIMITED (06059249)

VISION FOR EDUCATION LIMITED (06433086)

WORKING TRANSITIONS LIMITED (05421754)

XPERTISE RECRUITMENT LIMITED (08316057)

ZENTAR HEALTHCARE LIMITED (08315409)

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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