Notice Information
Notice Title
Expert Partner Panel Procurement 2026
Notice Description
WFD wishes to establish a panel of specialist service providers as part of a framework to provide technical services from time to time to support WFD's capacity and capability as part of their global support. These services are expected to support WFD primarily as part of the Democratic Governance Centre of Expertise, which WFD is delivering in partnership with the FCDO. WFD have previously operated a framework for this service, which is due to expire on 31 March 2026. WFD are building on the learning from this framework to create an enhanced model of engagement with specialist expert partners who can support with WFD strategic objectives. Interested parties should note that the contractual delivery locations could be world wide, and this would be confirmed on a case-by-case basis for individual contracts, WFD are interested in service providers views on the establishment of a Dynamic Market (DM) which WFD may use from time to time for any opportunities that sit above a threshold value of PS207,720 (this figure may change from time to time in alignment with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023). WFD would also create a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) of interested service providers, that will run concurrently with the Dynamic Market and will be suitable for opportunities that fall below the threshold value. Service Providers will be able to elect to apply to one or both the Dynamic Market and the Preferred Supplier list. The current framework operates across 3 different lots: Lot 1: Political Economy Analysis Lot 2: Media Development and Media Freedom Lot 3: Rule of Law, Justice and Justice Sector Reform WFD would like to continue with these requirements as a minimum and may include additional requirements from time to time. WFD are seeking input from interested partners to: * gain initial supplier awareness, engagement and opinion. * provide confidence around viability of concept. * gain insight to the market possibilities and potential innovative solutions. * understand risks and issues not previously considered. * inform the Procurement Strategy and Commercial structure; and * gather feedback on the current framework and lessons that can be applied moving forward.
Planning Information
As part of the preparation, WFD are running a Market Engagement exercise and are inviting suitably qualified and experienced service providers who may have an interest in this project to complete a questionnaire to assist us in gaining a better understanding of the feasibility of our requirements, the most appropriate approach, the capacity of the market to deliver and any possible risks or issues that may not have previously been considered. In responding, you should understand that detailed and lengthy submissions are not necessary at this stage. Nonetheless, we welcome any pertinent information on your company's capability and views on an approach to the provision of a range of required services. Service providers views or submissions will not be individually identified or revealed to third parties. All information provided in this exercise will be treated in confidence and will NOT be considered in any future tender evaluation exercise. Information gathered will be used in the development of a business case on the most suitable approach to meeting the operational and management needs of WFD. Any information provided in response to this Market Engagement exercise marked as commercially sensitive will be treated as such. Service providers are asked to identify any of the information supplied during this exercise which should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity. In doing so you must specify the reasons for its sensitivity and specify the period for which the information will remain sensitive. We will endeavour to consult with a concerned provider about sensitive information before making a decision on any Freedom of Information requests received. The final decision on any Freedom of Information request rests with the relevant public body, subject to applicable law. Service providers should seek their own legal advice on the application of freedom of information legislation. WFD will take into account statements of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity that are provided and will endeavour to consult with service providers about sensitive information before making a decision on any FOI request received but WFD will make its own assessment and decision on these issues. This document sets out the objectives of the exercise, provides background information and outlines the high-level scope of services to be provided by prospective service providers. Any submission received in response to this exercise will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and WFD. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this Market Engagement exercise of whatever nature. WFD not be liable for the costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any loss of profit or other economic loss incurred) regardless of the outcome of the Market Engagement exercise. The next stage in the process will be to initiate the procurement through notification via www.find-tender.service.gov.uk, which is currently planned to commence end of January/early February 2026. Engagement Sessions We wish to follow up the questionnaire with a virtual engagement session with service providers. Each meeting will provide an opportunity for further mutual understanding of any potential issues around this procurement including any risks or issues that may not have previously been considered. The session(s) is intended to be held either weeks commencing 12 January/19 January. Service providers should note that these will be open forums with representatives from WFD, and other interested service providers. It would be helpful in advance of this meeting if you could send us any questions that you would like to discuss at the meeting or any specific issues that you would like to raise. We reserve the right to hold multiple sessions should the volume of interested service providers exceed a reasonable capacity, and outcomes from the sessions and the questionnaire response report will be shared with all prospective applicants as part of the procurement documentation
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-060053
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000786-2026
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Dynamic
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Not Specified
- Procurement Method Details
- Not specified
- Tender Suitability
- SME, VCSE
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
75 - Administration, defence and social security services
80 - Education and training services
-
- CPV Codes
72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
75000000 - Administration, defence and social security services
80000000 - Education and training services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £5,000,000 £1M-£10M
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 6 Jan 20261 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 11 Feb 20264 weeks to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 31 Mar 2026 - 1 Apr 2036 Over 5 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Planning
- Lots Status
- Planning
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY LIMITED
- Contact Name
- Faye Orr
- Contact Email
- faye.orr@wfd.org
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- LONDON
- Postcode
- SW1H 9AJ
- 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
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000786-2026
6th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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