Award

Independent Water Commission - Forensic Accountant

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

08 Aug 2025 at 14:00

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process, conducted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), involved the award of a contract for services under the title "Independent Water Commission - Forensic Accountant". This process was focused on market-sensitive analysis work concerning the financial figures of water companies, specifically targeting irregularities and potential fraud. The procurement took place in London, United Kingdom, with the contract running from 24th to 26th June 2025. The procurement stage is at the award phase and was concluded via a direct method, specifically for contracts below the threshold and without competition. The awarded contract, with a gross value of GBP 35,500, was assigned to Searca Limited, a small-sized enterprise located in Birmingham, marking its completion status.

This tender opens opportunities for businesses specialising in forensic accounting and financial consultancy services, particularly those focusing on human resources management within the water industry. With DEFRA as the buying authority, companies with expertise in forensic financial analysis can leverage this contract to expand their portfolio in the public sector. Moreover, SMEs lacking exposure to competitive tenders might find the direct procurement method utilised here beneficial, allowing them to engage in specialized niche services without the extensive competition present in larger-scale procurements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Water Commission - Forensic Accountant

Notice Description

Market sensitive analysis work of water company financial figures - irregularities/fraud.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05845f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047340-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£35,500 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Aug 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Jun 20259 months ago
Contract Period
23 Jun 2025 - 26 Jun 2025 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SEARCA

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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