Award

250285 Contract for the Provision of External Investigator Service

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

28 Jan 2026 at 11:05

Tender

26 Nov 2025 at 17:53

Summary of the contracting process

Queen's University Belfast, a public authority operating under sub-central government in Northern Ireland, has successfully completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Contract for the Provision of External Investigator Service". The procurement, conducted through an open procedure, aimed at securing services to handle sensitive investigations involving complaints and allegations of misconduct within the university. This contract covers the industry category of investigation services and is valued at £384,000 gross (£320,000 net). It was awarded on 27th January 2026, with the contract period set to commence on 16th February 2026 and expected to last for one year, with provisions for extension up to forty-eight additional months based on annual reviews.

This tender presents significant opportunities for firms specialising in investigative services, particularly those experienced in handling complex, high-risk cases that could impact reputational harm to educational institutions. Businesses, especially SMEs like ANDREA ADAMS CONSULTANCY LIMITED, which was awarded the contract, can leverage such opportunities to expand their portfolio and build long-term relationships within the public sector. Enterprises with expertise in managing sensitive issues, such as allegations of sexual misconduct or discrimination, and a robust approach to confidentiality and data management, will find this market advantageous for growth and establishing a dependable client base within the education sector.

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Notice Title

250285 Contract for the Provision of External Investigator Service

Notice Description

With a large and diverse membership of staff and students, it is important for the University to have in place a fair, transparent, accessible and robust process for dealing with complaints and allegations of misconduct. The University also recognises the potential risk to its reputation and considers that, in order to improve the management of this risk and thereby protect the Queen's brand and also being mindful of the University's core values, it would be desirable to engage the services of a firm of investigators to conduct complex or high-risk investigations. Therefore, the University is seeking to engage a Supplier to undertake investigations into complaints and allegations of misconduct brought by/against students and by/against members of staff. Such complaints or allegations may be complex, sensitive or pose a high risk to the University and may include allegations of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behaviour; allegations of racism, sexism, homophobia; allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract shall be for an initial period of 1 year, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 48 Months subject to satisfactory annual review

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e9b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007488-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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

79720000 - Investigation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£266,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£266,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£320,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 15 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
2030-08-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Contact Name
Fei Li Toh
Contact Email
procurement@qub.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 1NN
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ANDREA ADAMS CONSULTANCY

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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